retromoonbow

Hi Doc! I have a few questions. What are the common long term outcomes of spinal fusion in scoliosis patients? What are the reasons you feel it should be utilized as a last resort? What are some ways to keep pain to a minimum if one has had a spinal fusion? Also, when a corrective surgery IS performed on a scoliosis patient, why are they not corrected to a higher degree? (Mine was corrected to 22*, I’ve seen many others who have have corrective surgery and it never seems to be corrected so that the spine is straight or nearly so) Lastly, as a top specialist in your field, do you feel that research supports the use of bracing? What other tools are utilized to avoid surgery?

Thank you so much for answering so many! Your answers were helpful.

Oh! Also, do you feel that strategic stretching and strengthening of muscles surrounding the spine can help prevent curvatures from progressing?

Also, is it common (post op) for the back to deteriorate at a faster rate, resulting in osteophytes and arthritis? Is there any fix for osteophytes in the SI region?