Scoliosis is a sideways curve in your backbone (or spine). Often, it first shows up when you're a child or teenager. The angle of the curve may be small, medium or large. But anything that measures more than 10 degrees on an X-ray is considered scoliosis. Doctors may use the letters "C" and "S" to describe the curve. Normally small curve is less than 60 degrees, medium between 60-90 degrees and large is more than 90 degrees. scoliosis may be as a result of Bony defect (called as congenital scoliosis) or as a result of nerve or muscle problem (called as neuromuscular scoliosis) or there may not be any underlying pathology at all.(called as idiopathic scoliosis. )
Kyphosis is a spinal condition in which, the spine curves forward more than it should ( more than 60 degrees). As a result, the upper back looks overly rounded. The curvature can make people looked hunched or slouching. People sometimes call it ‘hunchback’ or ‘round back’. It is mostly because of infection or some fracture or some form of Bony abnormality like fused vertebra or incompletely formed vertebra in the spine. Sometimes kyphosis can be because of age related weakening of the vertebras and age related Bony fractures in the spine.
Kyphoscoliosis is a combination of outward curvature (kyphosis) and lateral curvature (scoliosis) of the spine. .
Surgery for a spinal deformity can range from minimally invasive to very complex. the length of surgery may vary from 4 hours to 14 hours depending on the complexity of curve and the correction required. some Times the surgery is done in 2 stages, 3 days apart if the surgery includes cutting the bone at the apex of the curve called as vertebral column resection .
scoliosis surgety is typically classified as a major. Surgery lasts between 6 to 8 hours.
Patient start walking the next day. But they have to wear brace and refrain from active exercises for nearly 3 months. Sports can be started at 6 months. Patient may experience some pain up to 3 weeks of surgery. Most of the patients are pain free by the end of first month. Patient is not allowed to bend forward and lift heavy weight up to 3 months after the surgery. Most of our patients are able to get back to active and healthy life by the end of 3 months.
Every patient’s recovery journey is different, so take this timeline with a pinch of salt and listen to your surgeon – they’ll give you the best idea of what to expect in the weeks and months following surgery.
Generally the patient gets discharged from the hospital within 3-7 days if there are no complications.
Although they need rest for a few initial days, your physiotherapist would assist you to make you stand and walk for a short distance on the very next day of surgery, followed by which, you should be able to perform some small daily tasks that don’t require bending or lifting within a week!
At home instructions are given at the time of discharge from the hospital including the schedule of exercises, diet plan, medications etc.
Normally with good wound care, the sutures are removed after 2 weeks from the date of surgery. This is the time when the dressing can be taken and and the patient can have a proper bath.
At the same time, to prevent infection, it is important to keep the area dry and clean.
With efficient physical therapy and rehabilitation, most of the children would go back to schools and adults can start their office work too, with some limitations to be kept in mind, for example – avoid vigorous activities like running, jumping, lifting heavy objects, etc.
Light exercises as per the scheduled shall be continued.
Around 6 weeks post-op, is the time to step up the exercise plan after a proper consult with your surgeon and the physiotherapist.
You might need an Xray at this stage if indicated.
At this stage you must see your surgeon for a final recovery status, and most of the patients can resume nearly all activities (including contact sports) between 6 and 12 months after surgery. This solely depends and varies with every patient.
Recommendation: Always consult your doctor before starting or resuming contact sports and other more extreme activities, such as rock climbing or bungee jumping.
Surgery is painful for first two days and after that the pain gradually starts reducing. Normally the patient is pain free after 3 weeks.
As per the studies people who didn't undergo scoliosis surgery had more pain than people without scoliosis in long run. However, the pain was generally rated as occasional. It did not interfere with working life or with daily activities after surgery.
To minimize pain and discomfort after scoliosis Correction surgery, I advise my patients to bend at the knees and hip as opposed to using their back.
Since Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine with rotation element. It grows most rapidly during the growth spurt just before puberty. (10-15 years).
So far in our hands the success rate is almost 100%. We have not had a single case ending in paralysis so far. The surgical correction of the curve is between 80% to 100%. And patient satisfaction rate is close to 100%.).
All of our patients start walking the next day of surgery. normally the patients become independent in their activities by two weeks of surgery
surgery in adulthood for scoliosis may not eliminate all symptoms. But in high percentage of cases it can effectively balance the spine, relieve scoliosis symptoms, and improve overall quality of life.
There is a a small chance of paralysis during scoliosis surgery. But we routinely use neuromonitoring and 3D bone reconstruction during all our scoliosis surgeries. This gives us almost hundred percent success rate in all our surgeries.
Yes for full three months after surgery.
Not directly. But yes, surgery can improve it.
You will not be allowed to bend forward for 3 months after scoliosis correction surgery. However after 3 months you will be taught spinal exercises and ways to bend forward.
Degeneration or aging of the discs and joints of the spine occurs asymmetrically, causing tilting and even slipping between the vertebrae. As this cascades from one level to the next, a curve of the spine can develop. This form of scoliosis primarily affects the lumbar spine.
Pain is maximum within two days of surgery. however the pain goes on decreasing slowly post surgery in majority of the patients. Mostly patients are comfortable after 2 weeks of the surgery. pain totally vanishes around three to four weeks after surgery.
Majority of the patients have a normal life after scoliosis surgery in terms of walking, running, sitting, standing ,sexual activities, driving and recreational stuff.
Jogging and running are fine for most people with scoliosis after 8 months of surgery
Potential Complications Of Delayed Surgery Or Not Going Ahead With The Surgery Includes :