Scheuermann's Disease Support Group

My son is 16 with an 89% curve in his back. He has been going to the orthopedic doctor for about 2 years now. We were told today that we are looking a January for the surgery. But first he has to get a MRI of his back to see what they need to see. He also said that is back is rigid and that they might have to go in from the front and loosen things up and then he (the dr) would go in from the back. Has anyone had this done this way? If so what can we expect? How long will he be down? Any help is appreciated. Thank you

Drs. have told us that my son will be out of work 6 months to a year.

Post edited by: tanyabarnes, at: 11/15/2011 05:51 AM

im 15 and i havnt had mine yet

Hi welcome to the group. My 16 year old daughter had surgery in July. Her curve was 85 and the procedure was only posterior. The first month was quite painful. Started back to school at a month and half. Very tiring, had to nap after school for the first 9 weeks. Now she is doing great and gets stronger everyday. Our biggest issues now are the weight restrictions, bending, twisting, etc. Not lifting more than 15lbs is really hard with books and a computer. Can he wait until the summer for surgery? I know it will be really difficult to keep up with the school work for the first two months. This is a huge surgery and a slow recovery. Feel free call me if you would like.(501-455-2910) -Jennifer

I had surgery 15 months ago. I had a 75 degree curve and they did a posterior only surgery. I was out of work for about 5 weeks following surgery. I was 23 at the time and honestly didnt really have any issues right after the surgery. I also had slight discomfort but no pain. I was off all pain meds after 3 weeks

Hello! Where is your son having surgery at? Yes, surgery is very scary and anxiety is to be expected. My back was one of the worse my doctor had seen and he is the top kyphosis doctor in our state. My back was at 109 degrees and stiff going into the first surgery. He was able to get me with a posterior fusion back to 63 degrees. Now a little over a year post op....my back had regressed to 90 degrees and we went for surgery at the end of October. He consulted with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis for him to review my case. They both agreed on the approach to do the surgery postier from T-2 to L-4 with stainless steal rods. The second surgery has been much more successful than the first one and I am really grateful for that! Surgeons these days don't really like going in from the front because they have to collapse a lung to get to the spine. Plus there is a higher risk of infection. It is a long surgery.

He is having surgery at the Blair E Batson Hospital in Jackson MS. We went last Wednesday for a MRI to see what procedure would have to be done. Now all we are waiting for is the nurse to call me and we set a date to have the surgery.

keep us posted.....I think the waiting period leading up to surgery is by far the hardest and most nerve racking ever!

Hi Lisa, has your son had his surgery yet? I just noticed you said you're in Jackson, MS. I'm in Batesville, it's about an hour south of Memphis.