Surgery Introduction Just For Teens

The word "surgery" can be pretty darn intimidating to most teens.  Some have had some surgery before, and know it isn't fun.  Others have no clue what is going to happen.  Either way, this whole thing is very overwelming.  This part of the surgery section for teens is to help explain some basics of the scoliosis surgery.  Be sure to read the rest of the sections about the surgery.  If you still have questions, be sure to contact us.

AHHH!!! What is going on?!?!

Oh geeshe.  You just went to the doctor about this thing with your back, and now you have to have some surgery for it that means you will be in the hospital for a week or more, miss school for weeks, and loose sports for months.  Now what?  You think your life is ruined, huh?  Well, don't despare.  It will all be ok.  It is common, and there is probably someone at your school or church or other activities that has had the surgery at some point.  The top priority is to stay calm.  It is easy to feel like you are completly screwed up and ruined when this happends.  Keep informed and meet others with scoliosis.  It will help keep you metally ready for the surgery.

Which?  When?  Why? How?  Huh?!?

A lot of questions are brought about when surgery is mentioned.  Which procedure will I need?  When should I do it?  Why do I need it?  How is it done?  All very good questions.  These next few paragraphs should try to help out on these questions. Which surgery should I have? It depends on your curvature mainly.  Certain surgeries are better suited for certain curves.  It also can depend on the doctor you go to.  He/she might have a favorite surgery or might not do one of the procedures. There are three main procedures:  Posterior Spinal Fusion, Anterior Spinal Fusion, and Thorascopic Fusion/Anterior Release (the name varries based on doctors).  Each surgery is described in its own section.  Click on the name above to see that page. When should I have it? There is really no set time that I personally would recomend.  Most would say to have it during the summer so that you do not miss any school.  But, if you want to enjoy your summer, and do not mind getting home schooled and missing school for a while, then you can have it during the school year.  Still, you might check with your doctor too.  My doctor had a long waiting list, so this might have a strong pull on when you schedule your surgery.  If you choose to keep your summer, check with your school and see what they can do for you as well. Why the surgery and not something else? If you have a severe enough curvature, then you might need the surgery.  Usually, for people with single curves, if you have a curve at or over 45 degrees, or for a double curve, curves at or over 35 degrees, is a good indicator.  Still, some are weird and may vary.  Check with your doctor if you have any questions. One thing to really remember is that the primary purpose of the scoliosis surgery is to halt progression, then gain progression.  (Wow, that rhymed!)  Basically, you will get some correction, but only in few cases are a complete correction achived.  Still, don't get upset if you don't have a perfect back at the end.  It still is better than nothing! How is it done? All of the surgical procedures are diffrent, but all have the same basic steps.  Instrumentation, or metal stuff (that might look like someone went to the blacksmith and got some bits and pieces), is used to hold the spine in a straighter positon while a bone graft from your hip or rib, bone bank bone, or synthetic material takes hold to keep your spine fused.  The diffrent surgeries all accomplish this goal diffrently, and each procedure works for certain curves.

Will it hurt?

Well, since this is an informative web site, I cannot lie and say it doesn't hurt.  It is not just a walk through the park as far as pain goes, but it does depend on how well you tolorate pain.  Some teens say it hurts very bad for a month while others say it never hurt after the day of surgery.  Just be aware that, as with any surgery, there will be some pain involved.  Also remember that the nurses will make sure you have plenty of pain medicine so that you are comfortable and not in too much pain.  Overall, it will even out in the end.  Just don't try to do cartwheels the day after surgery or anything.  :)

There!  I hope you are still awake.  Ok, now that you have gotten a basic introduction to the surgery, you can click next below to go to the next page in this section, or Click Here to go back to the Just For Teens Surgery Main Page.  The choices are yours, and yours alone.  Good Luck!*

Writen By Justin Oswalt Adolescent Scoliosis Society of North America Posted: 2/8/2003 Updated: 5/15/2006 * Line from Legends of the Hidden Temple game show from Nickelodeon, Copyright 1994.