Please also read

http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/content ... is_Eng.pdf

Few days prior to surgery, we met up with anaesthetician and physiotherapist who coached on importance of taking deep breath preand post op and how to get out lying position post op. DC went into surgery prep room about 730am. DC came out of recovery room about 330pm. I was told the surgery started at about 9+. DC was semi conscious, talking gibberish though. DC was sleepy most of that first day and experienced pain. By 2nd day, DC was sitting up and taking ginger steps to washroom. DC regained pre-scoliosis height was happy about it. By third day, DC was required to climb stairs with help of physiotherapist. All in, DC stayed for 5 nights I think.


DC had zipper like stitches on the back. First week at home DC had pain and could not find a comfortable sitting or sleeping position, but soldiered on. DC was bored and went for school event few days later and survived. By third week DC was up and walking like normal. We opted for surgery during school break so DC could take it easy.

DC had an excuse letter for no PE for a year, school granted a lift pass and schoolmates were assigned to help with school bag. Prof Wong encouraged DC to swim after a while and to do light exercise when comfortable. DC could barely pass sit and reach subsequently, but had no problem achieving A for other NAFPA stations. DC remained active in sports in school, though not competitively. DC grew a bit taller later but not much. DC now prefers a harder pillow and was asked by Physiothepist to use the big round bolster. The scar had faded a bit but can still see some scar tissues. It is now like a pink line along DC’s spine with a few big pimples.

In summary, on one hand we were fearful of the possible risk but on the other hand DC going through life having low esteem was not desirable. The timing was good as we opted for surgery when DC was Sec 2, so that no treatment time need eat into precious O Level prep time. Like what prof Wong said, our DC recovered fast and well at their age.

NUH then organised a scoliosis support group. Those who attended were middle aged people with uncorrected scoliosis, people who were undecided like us, and one Sec 3 RGS girl who shared her testimony. She was first diagnosed with >40 in Primary School and was told that surgery was inevitable. Like many parents in the forum, her mum took her to any and every treatment that was recommended to her, chiropractor, massages, orthopaedic (hanging upside down), Pilates, acupuncture… To name a few. In that 2-3 years, her scoliosis did not improve. In the end, it was the daughter who told the mum that she wanted to go ahead with the surgery. After surgery at Sec 2 I think, her mum went with her to school for a period of time, carrying her school bag (not to carry heavy stuff for a while) and helping her with stairs. For the first few months, she said cushions were her best friend, as she could never find a comfortable sitting or sleeping posture. Her teacher commended her on being the most enthusiastic sitting upright, unlike her classmates who slouched in class. She looked great and was happy that she got it out of the way when we met her.


The other factor that helped us decide on proceeding with the surgery was the quality of life for DC in the future. The group of 30-50 year old scoliosis patients who opted not to have surgery all hunched, wore loose fitting blouses or shirts left untuck, and some used umbrella as a support. However, we could still see the protrusions of rib cage either front or back.

The third factor was DC’s backbone in the 2 months subsequent to first diagnosis continue to increase in degree of curvature. At some point in time, it would pressure on DC’s internal organs.

The last factor was to hope for minimally invasive key hole surgery from the side, instead of open back surgery. Prof Wong is one of the pioneers in the key hole surgery. But DC was deemed not suitable due to the type and degree of curvature. However, prof Wong assured us that recovery period would be short for DC’s age and risk higher for older people as bones would be more brittle.

We discussed with DC the pros and cons, the risk and benefits, and DC decided to proceed with surgery.

More on post surgery…

My family’s experience with scoliosis.


DC diagnosed with >40c curvature by HPB in Sec 2. We thought DC hunched while and always nagged to sit straight. DC had a growth spurt in Sec 1-2, gaining more than 15cm. After HPB’s notice, we then realised DC rib cage was protruding, and had looked shorter because backbone was no longer his back straight. DC did not experience any discomfort and was very active in sports.

Referred to NUH. Opted for Prof Wong. We were told surgery within the next 1 year was the only option for DC’s case, considering the rapid increase in curvature and DC’s age. We were told that DC had double thoracic. Surgery could only correct up to DC’s shoulder blade else DC would not be like able to turn neck.

3 possible reasons given for scoliosis:
1. Genetic: DW had scoliosis in secondary days and decided not to go ahead with braces as could not commit to 24hours wearing. DW was very active in sports and was in school sports team. DC2 had no scoliosis.
2. Growth spurt: DC gained much height in a very short time but both right and left back muscles did not grow in tandem.
3. Idiopathic scoliosis: no clear causal reason.

We were undecided whether to proceed with surgery. We were told scoliosis surgery had a 0.08 or 0.8% (can’t remember exact figure) risk of paralysis, that DC would not gain height from the back but only from lengthening of legs and neck, that after surgery DC will never be able to participate in sports competitively, and that life for that one year after would need some adjustment. However, we were told that recovery rate was best for DC’s age and the window for surgery was after puberty. DC’s friend was not recommended for surgery as had not reached puberty fully. We also needed to decide should we proceed with surgery, when would be the best time so as not to disrupt DC’s studies.

More on that…