5 #SpinalFusionProblems

Don't get me wrong, I'm 100% glad that I had scoliosis surgery and now, six years on, I'm definitely better off than I was before.

However, if you've had scoliosis surgery (and have a long fusion like me) you may be able to identify with some of these 5 frustrating / awkward #spinalfusionproblems... 

1. Pulling a muscle trying to paint your toenails (or fasten your strappy sandals!)

Pic by

Marc Gautier

It's not that I CAN'T paint my toenails or fasten my strappy sandals, it's just that it can be quite awkward and I have to sit down and sort of bend my leg in an unnatural position to reach, which usually results in me pulling a muscle in my leg!! This also applies to putting on socks and tying shoe laces. I WILL fall over if I'm not sat down!





2. Flooding the bathroom trying to wash your face

Since my surgery, I find it awkward washing my face in the sink. This is because it's pretty difficult for me to bend right down to the level of the sink, so I usually end up squatting by the side of it and then proceeding to splash water all over the bathroom. Now I stick to face wipes, or I just wash my face in the shower.

3. Hard backed chairs = evil

Evil chair. Pic by

Elliott Brown

No, just no. Hard backed chairs should be banned! Since surgery I'm mostly comfortable sitting on stools (my rods support me amazingly well, so I don't actually need to lean against anything) or chairs/sofas with cushions. Anything else is super uncomfortable, mostly because I can't bend my back to fit the shape of the chair. So in hard backed chairs, I usually end up sitting forward with my body away from the back of the chair. Hard backed, plastic sun loungers are also evil and lying flat on the floor is a definite no.



4. Shaving your legs

Kind of related to point number one. It's hard to reach and so I usually end up in awkward positions trying to reach parts of my leg, pulling a muscle again or with patches I can't reach. One of my fellow scoliosis surgery survivor friends said she taped her shaver to a stick to make it easier for her to reach, which made me laugh..! Worth a try!!

5. Being asked to a Yoga class

Not recommended. Pic by

Sarah Siblik

Erm, awkward.









These are just a few awkward situations I have found myself in post scoliosis surgery. Big deal? Not really. Frustrating? Sometimes.  But you've just got to laugh at about it.

Are there any awkward situations you've found yourself in due to your spinal fusion? Let me know in the comments below!

Update on me: shoulder issues

Hello :)

I thought I'd write a post to update what is going on with my back right now - I can't believe I'm nearly 6 years post opp (eeeek!)

So last year I started running, which I never thought I'd be able to do following scoliosis surgery. At one stage, I was running several times a week and managed to run a 10K race after only training for about 5 weeks. After this I was hooked. It felt great and so I kept doing it. I signed up to a 5K race and really started pushing myself, trying to improve my time. Unfortunately, it led to me injuring my left shoulder muscles/nerves and not being able to run for a while. Since then I've seen my GP, a personal trainer and two physios and the conclusion is that the injury was partly related to my scoliosis and the fact that my shoulder muscles on that side were not very strong as a result of the condition and surgery.

Because I have scoliosis and a residual curve following surgery, my back muscles on my right side are much weaker than the left side (unsurprising, as I also have a winged scapula on the right side). So what happened, with all the running and repetitive shoulder motions, my left side was having to work twice as hard to compensate for my right side, which eventually caused an injury resulting in pain and soreness in the muscles around the left shoulder blade. This pain has been ongoing on and off for about 9 months!! At one point it was so bad that I couldn't even lift my right arm and the skin was very sore to touch.

I was starting to think I would never run again and that this was going to be a long term thing. Also I was worried about my metalwork, had I done something to the screws?

I think in all honesty, it probably is a long term thing for me but I've been told that I can reduce and even eliminate the pain by strengthening my shoulders through exercise and physio.

So, this is what I've been doing for the past 6 months or so! I've been focusing on exercises that target my shoulder and core muscles in order to strengthen my body so that when I'm running, it doesn't aggravate my shoulder as much. I've been reassured that it is not the metalwork, as it takes a lot more than running to damage titanium apparently - it's incredibly strong!!

Exercises I've been doing include...

• The plank
• Sit ups on an exercise ball
• Squats using an exercise ball
• Shoulder presses at the gym
• Chest presses at the gym 
• Leg presses at the gym 
• Shoulder rows at the gym

I have found that already these exercises have made a big difference, my shoulder pain is not 100% better but I can feel myself getting stronger and the other day, I even managed to run 5K with no shoulder issues!!

I think the key thing to learn from this, is that running should always be supplemented by strengthening exercises to prevent injury, whether you have scoliosis or not, but it's particularly important for those with scoliosis due to the existing muscle in-balances.

It's safe to say I've learnt my lesson - I am not invincible. I am going to continue my strengthening exercises and won't be pushing myself too hard with the running for a while!!

ISAD, Saturday 25th June, 2016 #scoliosisgotyourback

Saturday 25th June marks International Scoliosis Awareness Day (ISAD)!

To help raise awareness of scoliosis, the Scoliosis Association UK are running a very special campaign this year called "Got Your Back" - you can support the campaign in various exciting ways including organising fundraising, purchasing campaign merchandise or simply changing your social media profile picture to the official logo.

Full details of the campaign and ways to get involved are here:

http://www.sauk.org.uk/get-involved/international-scoliosis-awareness-day 

Help raise awareness of scoliosis by getting involved today - tweet using the hashtag #scoliosisgotyourback 


Louise X

Scoliosis Infographic: Facts about scoliosis

I thought I'd share this useful infographic with you, which highlights some some helpful facts and statistics on scoliosis. I found it really interesting as I have myself have Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. 

Hope this helps. 

Louise :) X

Scoliosis and Bras - Survey

Image by

Martijn van Exel

I don't know about you, but I have always had a love/hate relationship with bras.

Before my scoliosis surgery, I found that bra straps used to dig into my rib hump side, causing discomfort and pain, as well as the damn strap always falling off one side due to my uneven shoulders.

Post surgery, I still have the irritating issue with the bra strap falling down on one side, and as I still have some rotation of the ribs, I usually find one cup doesn't always fit as well as the other (although this did improve slightly post surgery). This I have found very frustrating over the years and also a bit upsetting if I'm honest.

It's for these reasons that I tend to avoid shopping in underwear shops, trying on bras in said underwear shops (3 way mirrors = EVIL) and bra fittings in general - in fact, the thought of having a bra fitting fills me with dread. I also don't spend huge amounts of money on bras because they never fit me properly, so what's the point?

I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling this way! If you have scoliosis, share any of these bra frustrations and would like to contribute towards an exciting related project (by fellow scoliosis survivor Michaela), I would be very grateful if you could fill in this quick survey by clicking on the link below:

Bra Complaints for women with Scoliosis - Survey

Thank you :-)

Louise XX

5 things I do because of my scoliosis...

Image by angela c.

1. I constantly look at my back

When I'm at the gym, or walk past a shop window or mirror, I just can't resist sneaking a look at my back. Sometimes, I swear people think I'm checking myself out. I'm not, I'm just looking at my back. I can't help it. Post-surgery, sometimes it's admiration. As in, I can't believe how straight it looks from the side and that the rib hump is gone, even 5 years later! Although, other times, I'm worried about how it looks from a certain position and in a certain outfit.

2. I'm constantly paranoid people are looking at my back

This was far worse before surgery and immediately after surgery. It was so bad that, at the gym for example, I wouldn't go on the machines at the front of the gym because I knew there would be people working out behind me and I'd be paranoid that they'd be looking at my back. 

Now, 5 years later, day to day I don't worry as much about this but if I'm wearing a skimpy top or bikini I will be more conscious, especially if the top shows my scar and shoulder which still protrudes slightly. 

I still won't get changed in front of people (even people I'm close to) and activities such as swimming/going to the beach still make me uncomfortable as I think people are staring at my back. 

In most cases though, they are probably not. As people without scoliosis probably don't spend as much time staring at people's backs and have their own things to worry about!
 

3. I get back envy

I just can't help myself looking at other people's backs and wishing mine looked like theirs. Especially when I see people wearing backless dresses/tops which I have always longed to wear. I can't help it, I think it just happens subconsciously now. The funny thing is, these people may be looking at me wishing they had something I have. I always remember a lady staring at me once whilst I was swimming and I was certain she was looking at my back. In the end, she came up to me and said: "How do you get such a flat stomach?" I've come to realise that everyone has their own insecurities.  

4. I hate people touching my back 

This is something I just can't stand. Pre and post-surgery. Most of my back is numb so it just feels weird but some parts are quite tender. I'm also conscious of the way it looks and that my screws protrude. For this reason, I avoid back massages, so if I go to a spa, I'll just stick to facials or manicures. I know a massage would make me highly uncomfortable and self-conscious and I'd be worried they may do some damage if they weren't a trained physiotherapist. I do get jealous when friends go for a massage and when my back is sore sometimes I long for one, but I just don't want anyone seeing/touching it. The closest I came was in Thailand when I went for a spa treatment and the lady saw my back and said "broken." Yes, I am, please don't remind me. 

5. I take photos of my back

This was worse before surgery and immediately after. Before surgery, I took photos of my back all the time, in different positions. I was paranoid my scoliosis was getting worse and it took over my life. Around that time, I had literally thousands of pictures of my back on my laptop. I used to think, if anyone found my laptop they'd think I was really weird! 

After surgery, I took photos daily probably for about a year afterwards. As I wasn't working at the time and was at home recovering, it became an obsession. I'd stare at pictures of my back for hours, to make sure nothing had moved/changed. Not only that, I'd also constantly compare pictures of my back/x-rays to those of others who had had scoliosis surgery to see how my correction compared. At the time, I was convinced my correction was not as good as most peoples and I was actually quite unhappy following my surgery. It really was an all-consuming obsession but I think looking back, most of it was in my head.

Luckily, I'm past this stage now and I rarely take photos of my back these days (except for my blog!) Mostly I'm too busy to think about it nowadays but I've also accepted that the correction I got was good, that I was extremely lucky with the outcome and that I need to let go of the past and move on with my life.


The psychological side of scoliosis is so often overlooked, but I think my behaviour over the years shows just how much having scoliosis has affected me psychologically. And I don't think I'm in alone in the way I think/behave. If you have scoliosis, can you relate to any of the above? How has having scoliosis affected your own behaviour? Feel free to comment below :)

Happy New Year...and thank you!

I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has emailed me and messaged me kind words about my blog this year, there's been so many lovely emails and I feel overwhelmed. It is really appreciated and it makes me feel so happy that people are actually reading my blog and it's helping people.

I also want to apologise if there is anyone who has emailed me over the last 12 months and I haven't replied to your message. I try my best to reply to everyone but sometimes emails slip through the net. I have also been very busy this year with completing my MSc and so have had less time than I would like to focus on my blog.

I am just posting to say I'm still here and I plan to blog a lot more in 2016. I will also try my hardest to get back to everyone who emails/tweets/messages me.

2015 has been a year of ups, downs and achievements - the first part of the year saw me completing my dissertation for my MSc in Digital Marketing. I then graduated in July with a distinction and a top performing student award and later in the year I travelled to Australia and toured the East Coast.

In terms of my back, earlier in the year I took part in 10K and 5K races for charity, something  I never thought I'd be able to do following surgery. Unfortunately, I have now injured my shoulder through running and am undergoing physiotherapy - mostly because I threw myself into running without building up my back/shoulder muscles, which are still weak following my surgery.

In 2016, I plan to strengthen my back/shoulder/core muscles and hopefully get back into running as I love it so much!

Anyway, enough from me for now... I just wanted to say a big HAPPY NEW YEAR and see you all in 2016 :-)

Louise xx

5 years post op

Me a few weeks after surgery

So this week it is five whole years since my scoliosis surgery.

My life is very different from this time five years ago and it got me thinking about how far I've come since my surgery. If anyone reading this is currently facing the prospect of scoliosis surgery, or are in the early stages of recovery, I just want to reassure you that it DOES get easier and you WILL be able to achieve things post surgery you never thought were possible. It just takes time and patience.

I continue to push myself, and this week I graduated from University for the second time, with an MSc in Digital Marketing Communications (with distinction), which I have been studying towards for the past three years.

In the few months since finishing my MSc, I have also really got into running and I feel fitter and healthier than ever. In May this year year I completed my first ever 10K race for Cancer Research, in June I completed a 5K fun run (Run or Dye - really fun!) and I've just signed up to complete a 5K run in Manchester in September to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.

I am surprised that running doesn't hurt my back and in the past I have always avoided it for fear of causing myself damage or causing pain. When I first started it did feel a bit strange - but now it feels fine and my fitness has improved immensely over the past few months.

I'm not saying everyone with scoliosis can / should do running (you should always check with your doctor/specialist) BUT I'm saying that having scoliosis should NEVER hold you back, or stop you from trying something, and that you should always feel like you can do anything you put your mind to.

After 5 years, yes I get the odd bad pain day, but on the whole I feel better than ever and my flexibility has also continued to improve, which after surgery I didn't think would be possible.

I don't know how long this will last and whether I'll get more pain in the future but as a result, I am determined to enjoy my life while I can and I will always continue to push myself to achieve for as long as I am physically able to.

Taking part in Run or Dye 5K in June 2015

Here's to the next five years!

Louise xx

International Scoliosis Awareness Day 2015 #ISAD15

Saturday 27th June marks International Scoliosis Awareness Day, so I thought I would share my own scoliosis story to help raise awareness of this (surprisingly!) common condition.

When I was 14, I was diagnosed with scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine, after my dad noticed that my shoulders were uneven.  Unfortunately for me though, when my scoliosis was diagnosed, the Drs discovered that I actually had two spinal curvatures (in an 'S' shape) and both curves had already progressed to over 70 degrees, which is considered to be 'severe.'

The one benefit was that, despite their severity, my scoliosis curves were relatively balanced and so were not that noticeable to the untrained eye, which is why I think they were spotted so late in my case.

I was so terrified of the surgery that I endured 10 years of living with two large scoliosis curves, this resulted in considerable back pain and discomfort, severe muscle spasms and breathing problems, not to mention the emotional trauma of living with a very noticeable 'rib hump,' which was caused by my spine pushing on and rotating my ribcage.  As the pain got progressively worse, I was told that my curves were progressing and would likely progress year by year as I got older, which in itself could also result in breathing and heart problems in the future.

Eventually, as a result of increasing pain and discomfort, I got put on the list for surgery and had to wait over a year, before finally having corrective surgery five years ago on the NHS. At the time of surgery my curves had progressed to over 80 degrees.

The surgery was 10 hours and involved my surgeon straightening my spine as much as was safely possible, fusing my spine with bone from my ribs and inserting two titanium rods and a whole lot of screws to hold the correction in place whilst the bone fused. I also had a 'costoplasty' procedure at the same time, which involved the surgeon breaking and removing sections of several of my ribs to improve the appearance of my large "rib hump." This was a painful surgery with a very painful and long, uncomfortable recovery, including 6 months in a back brace, lots of strong painkillers and intensive physio.

My scoliosis - X-Rays before and after surgery

Due to the severity of my scoliosis, my spine will never be 'straight' but my surgeon did an amazing job and I cannot thank him enough - he changed my life for the better. If you were to look at me today, you would never know that I had scoliosis and had been through everything I have, and sometimes, I even forget myself. Now, I rarely get bad back pain and the only giveaway of my condition is the impressively long scar down the centre of my back, which I am incredibly proud of.
 

My back and scar today - 5 years post op!

I'm also proud of how far I've come, as when I was lying in that hospital bed, barely even able to sit up or get out of bed by myself, I never imagined that once recovered I'd continue to travel the word, climb a mountain, run a 10K race, complete an MSc with distinction or walk 26 miles for charity - just some of the things I have achieved post surgery.

Me post surgery

This condition has never held me back and I think going through scoliosis surgery has made me appreciate everything I can do, as well as given me the determination to continuously push myself.

More awareness of this condition is needed because if scoliosis is spotted early enough when the curves are small, it can be treated through physio and bracing and sometimes, surgery can even be avoided.

Photo from Facebook: SHIFT Scoliosis

It's important to realise though that every case of scoliosis and scoliosis surgery is different. Find out more about scoliosis and how you can raise awareness of International Scoliosis Awareness Day here.

Race for Life!

This weekend I did something I thought would never be possible following my scoliosis surgery. I ran 10K (!) through Delamere Forest for Race for Life to raise money for Cancer Research UK. 

I'm not going to lie, the training was hard for me. Especially as I only signed up 5 weeks before the event and so had limited time to train (plus I had never really 'done' running before!).

I always thought running and scoliosis didn't really go together and have always found running difficult. But in 5 weeks I managed to build myself up to complete the race in 1 hr 17 minutes, which I'm so proud of. Now I feel fitter and stronger than ever and hope to improve my running and fitness in time and build up to a quicker time.

After surgery I had to learn how to walk again, so after all I've been through with my back I'm really not bothered about being the fastest. I'm just grateful that I can be IN a race at all.

It just goes to show that even after scoliosis surgery I can do anything I put my mind to and I'm so proud of myself.

Now I'm more determined than ever, if you tell me I can't, I'll prove to you I CAN ;-)

Louise xx