What are the side effects of scoliosis surgery?

Side effects of scoliosis surgery include:

• Loss of normal spinal function.
• Pain.
• Infection.
• Impaired psychological health [7]
• Neurological damage.
• Curvature progression.
• Increased deformity.
• Rod breakage.

Is it normal to have back pain after scoliosis surgery?

One in three spinal fusion patients report back pain within 7 years of their surgery. Nerve damage, implant failure, joint degeneration and other complications can all cause chronic pain, which can severely hamper the patient’s long-term quality of life.

How do you get rid of scoliosis pain after surgery?

Typically, a scoliosis surgery patient will transition off narcotic pain medication during the second week at home or shortly thereafter. Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) is frequently recommended as a pain medication that scoliosis surgery patients might switch to after being on narcotics.

What are the cons of scoliosis surgery?

Neurologic complications from surgery can include loss of skin sensation, weakness or loss of strength in their feet or legs, loss of bowel and bladder control, or paralysis. Neurologic complications usually begin very soon after surgery. These complications can improve over time, but some may be permanent.

Why does scoliosis surgery hurt?

Patients commonly report that their scoliosis-related pain increases post surgery. This is partially due to the fusion site being immovable, which also impacts vertebrae adjacent to the fusion site, as well as muscles surrounding the spine that can become strained and tight.

What is life like after scoliosis surgery?

Most patients are able to return to school or work in 2 to 4 weeks after the surgery and are able to resume all pre-operative activities within 4 to 6 months. After the recovery process, most patients return to leading their normal active lives.

How bad is pain after spinal fusion?

After surgery, pain is no longer achy and arthritic but stems from wound healing, swelling and inflammation. You will experience some pain outside of the hospital. For most back surgeries, it will take 1-1.5 months to resume “normal” mobility and function. During this time, pain should be tolerable and controlled.

How much pain is normal after spinal fusion surgery?

The worst pain is generally over by 4 weeks after surgery. Pain is likely to continue to decrease gradually, but some patients continue to have pain 3 to 6 months after surgery.

What are the long term effects of scoliosis surgery?

Potential long-term side effects can include nerve damage, increased pain levels, loss of spinal flexibility, mobility limitations, more surgery due to hardware failure/lifespan, a weaker spine that’s more prone to injury, strained back muscles, the emotional stress of living with a fused spine, and financial strain: …

What happens if you bend after scoliosis surgery?

Avoid bending at all after a lumbar fusion if possible, as bending or twisting can interfere with the way the fusion heals and even damage the work that was done.

What is the best treatment for scoliosis?

Painkillers. Painkilling tablets may help relieve the pain that can be associated with scoliosis.

Exercise. Activities that strengthen and stretch your back may help reduce your pain.

Spinal injections.

Back braces.

Surgery.

Can scoliosis be treated without surgery?

Surprise #1: If you are diagnosed with scoliosis, you probably won’t need surgery. In many cases, treatment for scoliosis is aimed at relieving symptoms rather than fixing the curve in the spine. Adult scoliosis patients are initially treated as we would treat a patient with a straight spine who has back pain.

What are the risks of scoliosis surgery?

Paraplegia The most concerning risk with scoliosis surgery is paraplegia—loss of movement and feeling in the lower body and legs. It is rare but can be a devastating complication.

Excessive Blood Loss There is a lot of muscle stripping and exposed area during the surgery,which leads to blood loss.

Other Risks

Why do I still have pain after my back surgery?

This condition can become long-term pain. Pain after surgery can be a sign of surgical complications such as the following: Infection either in the skin or at another site in the body: Pain with fever (temperature higher than 100°F) or pain with redness, pus, or swelling at the surgical site is often a sign of infection.