Should I Go Through With Scoliosis Surgery?

Many people who suffer from scoliosis opt for scoliosis surgery because it is a faster, yet more invasive, form of treatment. There are many factors that people consider when making the decision to go under the knife or not. They can range from dealing with pain to the desire for a more normal physical appearance, and for children, issues regarding growth are often a top concern. But, given the post-surgical conditions of scoliosis surgery, should you really go with this option?

Let us look at the facts. During scoliosis surgery, a huge incision is required in order for the surgeon to reach and treat the affected bone areas. Generally, the surgeon cuts through the skin of the patient and peels back the muscles to reach the bone – screws are then inserted into the bones and affected areas to facilitate spinal fusion.

Fusion of the bones normally takes about 3 to 6 months, though for some patients, it can take up to a year. During this process, the patient experiences severe and continuous pain, which can disrupt normal day-to-day activities.

Apart from the chronic pain, there are also other complications that can be associated with scoliosis surgery. Sometimes patients can experience hemorrhaging or bleeding, and because of this risk, patients are always strongly encouraged to donate blood prior to surgery in case of transfusion is needed. Finally, of course, there is always a risk that the surgery can produce the opposite effect and actually worsen the spinal condition – though the latest surgical methods and technology are created to prevent such an occurrence, there is never any guarantee.

Although scoliosis surgery may be the fastest way to correct abnormal curvature of the spine, the side effects can be extremely intense and long lasting, which is why patients are encourage to give the issue a lot of consideration before proceeding with surgery.
There are several nonsurgical treatment alternatives, such as the scoliosis treatments in New York City which Esprit Wellness provides, which are a popular way address the condition and avoid surgical incisions and post-surgical complications. Though they may be a slower process, the primary goal of nonsurgical scoliosis treatments is to eliminate the risk factors in the curvature of the spine and prevent the worsening of spinal curvature. In other words – at Esprit Wellness, we treat the cause of scoliosis, not just the symptoms, to alleviate both existing conditions as well as prevent increasing spinal curvature in the future.

-Dr Sid
Esprit Wellness (Find us on Facebook)