Living with Scoliosis

You’re bent, not broken!

Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curve of the spine. The cause is usually unknown. Surgery is recommended in severe cases.

Symptoms:

Scoliosis can be mild, moderate or severe. The symptoms and signs of scoliosis can include:

1. One shoulder tilted down towards a raised hip, as if the child is leaning sideways

2. Prominent ribs

3. A protruding shoulder blade

4. Tilted waist

5. The curve is more pronounced when the child bends forward.

(https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/scoliosis).

Most males and females have a natural form of curvature in their spine. However I was diagnosed at the age of 13 (2007) with Scoliosis. At this age the curvature was 37°. After multiple scans and measurements, it showed that I had stopped growing, which in most cases is a good sign. According to my specialist in 90% of cases once the adult has stopped growing the spines curvature would remain stable. Unfortunately in my case I was in the other 10%, my spine kept progressing in curvature as the years when by.

As unlucky as I was, I was also lucky that my spine was curved like an “S”. Most cases people spines are shaped like a "C" which makes the curvature noticeable to the human eye.

Is it painful? Well.. most doctors and specialists say that living with a curve wouldn’t be painful. I disagree, my muscles was constantly overworked and there was a constant pain like a headache.

I managed this pain everyday through exercise, maintaining my weight, massages and other alternative methods.

In July 2016, I felt something wasn’t right. I was short of breath and my chest felt funny. My pain become unmanageable, which resulted in a 22 year old taking prescription medication that causes addiction. Not something I wanted to be doing!

My doctor sent me for a X-ray, which found me in the Epworth Hospital in Richmond Victoria having corrective surgery. I had progressed from 37° to 52° before surgery.

Have you feared having surgery? Let me tell you a little bit about my experience through some frequently asked questions:

• Was I scared? Yes, with the weeks leading up to my surgery I spend it second guessing the decision. It's normal!

• Why surgery in Melbourne? Unfortunately in Tasmania, they mainly refer adolescents interstate for surgery.

• How long did I have off work? I was told 12 weeks. I tried to go back to work after 9, please take my advice and don't push yourself, you will make your healing process longer in some cases.

• What was involved in the surgery process? The operation for scoliosis is a spinal fusion. The basic idea is to realign and fuse together the curved vertebrae so that they heal into a single, solid bone. With the tools and technology available today, scoliosis surgeons are able to improve curves significantly.

• How successful is scoliosis surgery? For me extremely successful, I grew 6 cm. Spinal fusion is very successful in stopping the curve from growing

• How long was I in hospital? I was in ICU for 3 days and then transferred to the a normal ward for a remaining of 4 days.

• What was days like after surgery? Day one I spent sleeping. Day two an X-ray was taken to ensure everything was in place. Day three was yet another day in bed (let me tell you, ABC news gets boring after 3 days). Day 4 was my first day out of bed finally, sleeping/laying on you back is not fun. It was time to get these legs of mine working. Unfortunately sitting on the edge of the bed was a challenge, I didn't get to walk this day as I felt sick, back to bed I went. Day 5, I made it! I walked, I had a shower and by day 6 I was up sitting in the chair and showering and starting to feel normal. It's not as easy as I have made it sound. I was heavily medicated and the pain was unbearable some times, but pushing through is the key to strength and getting better.

• Why did I get a brace? For me this was extra support for the healing process. I would highly recommend it.

• What was involved after the surgery? I had specialists appointments in Melbourne, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after surgery.

• Would I do it again? Absolutely no questions asked. I am pain free and am finely living a happy and healthy life with nothing stopping me. I have even been accepted to university to study nursing (always been a passion but was told I'd never make it with my back, until I had surgery).

These photo's show the healing process. 7 days after surgery, 12 months and 2 year! The scar is barely noticeable.

DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU: YOU CANT DO THAT BECAUSE OF YOUR SPINE.

I spent parts of my life like my back was broken and stopped doing the things I loved until I realised, I was bent not broken! I rode horses, climbed ridiculous heights, rode motorbikes and did everything a normal teenager would do! Did any of this hurt me? NO!

Go out live your life and live like tomorrow is your last day!