re: Spinal fusion surgery (severe scoliosis)

Every person I’ve known that got spinal fusion surgery ended up worse than they were prior to the surgery. I’m not a doctor, just speaking from the experience of friends that have had the operation.

These were all adults though, I’m sure pediatric patients have a much better success rate.

I had 3 back surgeries before turning 40. These are my experiences:

I had a disc shaved that was pushing against my spinal cord...done on an emergency basis on a Christmas Eve. I was so much better even walking ot fron the hospital that night.

The 2nd was supposed to be a L4-L5 fusion. After the hardware was put in they took nerve readings and he didn't like them. I woke up to the hardware in a half pound deli container on my bed table. As he told me, he could have left it in and know it would need to come out 1-2 years later or just take it out and hope it fuses without anything for stability.

The 3rd was by a neurosurgeon (so knowledgeable that at the time he was part of the NFL's initial CTE/concussion gathering information.) He was also the guy they'd call in to deal with catastrophic head injuries fron accidents & shootings. He fused L3-S1 7 years ago and it finally stabilized my back which had been getting all out of whack because of discussion making in surgery #2.

The first 2 surgeons were orthopedic doctors. I trusted the 2nd one because he had followed a similar path as my 1st. The issues that prompted the 2nd surgery didn't become noticable until 6 years after the 1st (looking at diagnostics before #2, they weren't there before or for years after the 1st.)

So my suggestions are:
- Triple check the surgeon's credentials. They said the 1st fusion had something like a 97% rate. That's great unless you're the 3%.
- DO NOT be afraid I'd opioids. I was on Vicodin for years and then switched over to the safe for long term Vicoprofin. (The difference being the non-opioid part being Tylenol vs Ibuprofen.) HAVE A PAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN IN PLACE and an understanding between you and your team of health providers.
- Going right along with that is constipation. Sure it's a shitty subject but will quickly become a huge part of your quality of life. After surgery go with high fiber foods and proactively take a heavy dose of Mirilax the night of the surgery. (After #3 it was almost a week and it got so bad that my wife had to use her gloved finger to chip it out.) Invest money into a good plunger because you will need it.
- Do your exercises!
- As soon as possible try to get out into a social setting such as family meals out. I can't tell you how big this is. If you or others wonder what you can do for her, this is this best.
- Be prepared for unintended consequences from the surgery. I was often dizzy & caught myself against a wall for a few months afterwards. To this day my short term memory is horrible but my short term memory got better (I'm remembering stuff now that I'd forgotten decades ago.)
- Do everything they tell you to do at home but if it is causing an abnormal amount of pain STOP and get in touch with your doctor if those kinds of days keep happening.

GOOD LUCK! I'm having my shoulder operated on in a few weeks. Until back surgery #1 I played football so as I've aged these problem areas keep popping up. Knowledge from a variety of sources is quite helpful whether this is the first time you've had surgery or the 10th.