New and wanting some answers

[Katherine07]

hi everyone im katherine im 21 years old and i recently had an x-ray done for my scoliosis. I think i may have had it my whole life without knowing, but i only got diagnosed with it in 2008. I am booked to see a specialist in September. The thing i wanted to know is how severe mine is, the x ray results of my spine say:
A cobb angle between T6 and T11 is 51 degrees.
I want to know if it is severe, and is it the type that worsens, and if surgery would be the best option? I just feel like im not very informed about all this:confused: its a scary thing, but would love to hear other people's stories and advice.

[Christine]

Hi Katherine and welcome

Four weeks ago I had spinal fusion to correct a curve, similar to yours but a bit less. I was fused T4 to L1 and my pre-op was 46 degree thoracic and 30 deg lumbar. (10 years ago it was 35/30 so had gotten much worse) Still early days to see how much correction has been achieved. My rib hump was a major a problem and still is a little so will keep an eye on that.

Generally, once the cobb angle goes over 45 deg, especially if it is progressing, surgery is recommended.

After a life of pain and discomfort (I am almost 49) I couldn't wait to have the surgery, I was soo excited. So yes, I am a strong advocate for having it. I am even able to say that while I am still very sore and a long way to go to be fully recovered! You are young, another positive you have on your side.

Do you have pain or backache with it? You specialist will do a comparison with your previous x-rays to see how it has changed.

September is close so you won't have such a long wait. Please keep us up to date with how you are going. Everyone on the forum has so many varied experiences so use it up! It helped me so very much.

Christine.

[Hobbs]

Hi Katherine,

From what I have gathered, once a curve gets beyond 20 degrees it requires frequent watching.
Once it gets to 50 degrees surgery is suggested.
After 70 degrees its considered severe.

This is a rough guide as there are variations that can cause a so called mild curve to be more of a problem for one person than a severe curve for someone else. The variations include whether or not the scoliosis is idiopathic or not (a known reason why such as due to a connective tissue disorder). Whether there is just one main curve or more and whether or not there are secondary curves, and the degree of rotation involved in the spine. I have heard of children who have a 50 degree curve that causes pain and I have heard of children who have had 70 degree curve and coped. I havent heard of any curves being beyond 100 degrees.
For these reasons it is hard to compare scoliosis.

My daughter has three curves 46, 85 and 80 degrees with lots of rotation- amazingly enough it was only when the curves reached 75 degrees that she really started to get daily pain. Hers has deteriorated rapidly (within the past 12 months) and hence why it has got to this size.
There seems to be a constant line of thought that if you have the operation while young and fit and healthy, you have a greater chance of a quicker recovery.
I also understand that the worse the degree of the curve the harder it is to get a good correction. With an 80 degree curve we have been told they hope to correct it to within 30 degrees. The speed at which the curve/s is/are deteriorating can also influence the your choice of surgery or not.
Your surgeon will have the answers that suit you.
Hope this helps
Louise

[Katherine07]

hey guys thanks so much for your support and answers, i guess i will have to wait and see the specialist and they can tell me more about it.
Im glad i found this forum though so i can talk to other people, im still learning alot about this, it hasnt really sunk in that i will probably need surgery but i guess i have to be strong.