Does Surgery Fix Scoliosis?

X-rays can be both fascinating and a bit intimidating. Many people are surprised when they first see an x-ray of their spine, especially when a doctor points out the curves of scoliosis. Each person's spine is incredibly unique, constantly adapting to keep our bodies upright over time.

After my spinal fusion surgery, I expected to see a straight spine on my x-rays. However, reality taught me that surgery's outcomes vary widely—some achieve straight spines in more recent surgeries. The results of surgery depend on numerous factors: age, bone health, surgical expertise, lifestyle, and the strength of your scoliosis.

Does spinal fusion cure scoliosis? No. Does it fix it? Partly. It stabilizes the fused area to prevent further curvature, rotation, and collapse. Yet, our bodies retain their scoliotic tendencies despite surgery's intervention. Some spines are resilient, even challenging their hardware.

The point of sharing these insights is that outward appearance can be deceiving. Someone may appear perfectly balanced despite underlying complexities. Importantly, the degree of spinal curvature doesn't necessarily correlate with pain or discomfort, so there's no standard way to feel about scoliosis. 

For me, surgery extinguished one fire (actually two: pain and severe asymmetry) but introduced new responsibilities. It's not a "fix it and forget it" scenario; ongoing spine care remains essential. It's a journey of continuous self-care and mindfulness toward spinal health.