Scoliosis Experience Q&A

I hope you've been all doing well and staying safe!

I thought I would do another question and answer post, as I've been getting requests and questions over the past couple of months. I thought it would just be easier to share it on my blog in case more people have the same questions! If you would like to participate by submitting questions for the next Q&A, please feel free to follow my Instagram account!

Question #1: How have daily activities changed (like tying your shoes)?

Daily activities changed a lot at the beginning of my recovery; however, I've found new ways of doing things now and it has become my 'new normal.' For example, I used to tie my shoes by slouching over my leg and simply tying them. Now, since I cannot bend my spine, I elevate my foot and knee upwards towards my hands (while maintaining a straight back) whilst I tie them.

Question #2: If you have Scoliosis, does that mean if you decide to have children that your kids will have it too?

In my personal case, I don't know. My scoliosis is 'idiopathic' which essentially means a random case (or no known cause) that is not related to genetics. Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type, and most cases are mild and do not require bracing or surgery; however, sometimes scoliosis isn't idiopathic and can be genetically linked to other family members. That being said, research has found that idiopathic cases can 'run' in families.

Question #3: How did you manage to live by yourself and do chores after your surgery when you still had 'restrictions?'

For the first few months after my surgery I was living at home, so I had a lot of help from my parents and grandparents. When I moved back to Toronto to continue my education, the main thing that changed was the way I bought groceries. Since I had a '10 pound' weight restriction, I had to make about three trips to the grocery store per week, since I had to carry the groceries back to my place. Other than that, I got accommodations from my university in case I had to miss classes or for travel to campus if the weather conditions were icy or too snowy.

Question #4: Why didn't you have a cast or brace after your Scoliosis surgery?

Most idiopathic scoliosis surgeries in Canada do not require a cast afterwards. I believe it has to do with the sizes of the incision (mine was 32.5cm long), and also the risk of infection. Also, technology has really advanced over the past few decades! Not to mention that it was very important, in my case, to re-gain my core strength and stability so that I could gradually become more independent.

That being said, in the past sometimes casts or braces would have been used, but it's not common practice in Canada today unless the physician decides an individual may require one (depending on the type of scoliosis, and other factors).

Question #5: How has your quality of life changed since surgery?

I'd say that my quality of life has increased quite a bit since surgery. Before surgery I still had an incredibly blessed life; however, I was living with chronic pain which was taking a toll on not just my physical health but also my mental health. The surgery has gotten rid of my chronic pain which is liberating in itself, and I feel more comfortable and confident in my own skin!

Question #6: Where are your blog followers from? How many places has your blog reached?

I am so grateful for everyone who has followed my journey and helped support my blog. My top few countries in terms of viewership are: Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom! That being said, I have followers from all over the place! In the past 30 days I've had people read my blog from: Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Philippines, Romania, Saudi Arabia, and Sweden. I also have a 'highlight reel' on my Instagram page that lets followers type where they're from, and it will be featured on my story and highlight reel. Feel free to check it out!

Here is a screenshot of where my blog viewers have been over the past year:

Question #7: How much did your treatment and surgery cost?

I'm very fortunate to live in Canada where we have universal healthcare coverage. This means that many (not all) surgeries that are deemed required can be covered by the government and health care insurance. Since I am also a British Columbia resident, the provincial health care system covered my surgery and anaesthetics completely. Because my parents have extended health benefits, we also did not have to pay for prescription pain medication when I left the hospital. That being said, my parents did have to take a couple days off of work to be with me in the hospital and paid for a place to stay during my surgery. On the other hand, my back brace cost around $2,000 I believe. Back braces tend to be expensive because they're individually made for a person depending on their degrees of curvature and where the curves are in their spine.

I previously did a post about the global burden of illness that scoliosis has, so feel free to check that out!

This blog is my own personal experience and journey with Scoliosis. It is not a medical blog, and if anyone has concerns about their own health, they should see a physician.