Adult Scoliosis: Progressive Thoracolumbar Curve Treated Surgically, doing great more than 10 years post-op

Description

In 1996, this 53-year-old female patient came to Dr. Bridwell with progressive adult scoliosis. She had a thoracolumbar curve—one curve that involved both her thoracic spine (the area near the rib cage and shoulder blades) and her lumbar spine (waistline level between the rib cage and pelvis) —that was 62º. The curve extended all the way to the sacrum, the end of the spine.

Treatment

Dr. Bridwell performed a posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation.

For this surgery in 1996, the instrumentation Dr. Bridwell used is a little different than what he currently uses. In this case, he and his team used hooks in the thoracic spine and screws in the lumbar spine. Now, they are more inclined to use pedicle screws throughout because their research has shown them that using all pedicle screws provides a sturdier fusion.

However, this case shows that even with the older method, Dr. Bridwell and his team were able to achieve a successful fusion and correct the patient’s curve.

Result

At the most recent follow-up—12 years after surgery—the patient has a solid fusion and is doing quite well.

You can see from her outcome scores (one way doctors measure how well a patient is doing) that she is far better off than before surgery. Look especially at the SRS-22. That’s a questionnaire to help doctors assess improvement. The patient has high scores in every area following the surgery; before surgery, she had very low scores, particularly in self-image.