My Spine - Lumbar
The risk most feared is neurological injury ( paralysis ). Although this risk is ever present , it is rare , with a chance of 1:300 of any neurological event from some numbness to total paraplegia ( unable to move or feel legs ). This can occur from the corrective process and increased strain on the spinal cord or from reduced blood supply to the cord .
To reduce this risk , some specialists use spinal cord electrical monitoring during the procedure , although this is not fail-safe and has its own technical challenges . Should there be a problem in the immediate post-operative phase , urgent instrumentation removal may be required . Speak to your specialist about a more comprehensive list of possible complications ( see the chapter Your Back Operation ).
What are the long-term expectations ?
This depends on the type and underlying cause . Severe scoliosis , greater than 70 degrees , poses a risk to lung function , and greater than 100 degrees increases the risk of mortality . Smaller curves remain a cosmetic and psychological issue , but not a medical threat .
Curves less than 40-60 degrees in the younger age group usually will not progress after maturity and do not have an adverse effect on enjoyment of life . Curves greater then 60 degrees will progress and surgery should be considered .
The degenerative type tends to progress and increasingly causes nerve root pain .
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