How successful is spinal fusion surgery for treating polio-related scoliosis?

drjohn

I'm looking for information on the long-term outcomes of spinal fusion for polio patients. Did the surgery successfully reduce pain and improve breathing capacity or posture? What were the major challenges during recovery?

drrahul

For polio patients, the long-term outcomes of spinal fusion are generally positive for its primary goals. The surgery is highly successful at halting the progression of scoliosis, which leads to a significant and lasting reduction in back pain and a major improvement in posture and sitting/standing balance. Improvements in breathing capacity are less guaranteed and depend on the severity of pre-existing lung restriction; some patients experience modest gains, while others see no change. The major challenges during recovery are substantial, including a long and painful rehabilitation, the psychological difficulty of movement restrictions (like no bending or twisting), and the risk of developing new weakness in previously functional muscles due to the increased stress of a rigid spine.

drjoseph

For polio survivors, spinal fusion surgery primarily aims to reduce pain and correct posture by stopping the progression of spinal deformities. In this regard, it is often successful long-term, providing greater stability and sitting balance. However, a notable improvement in breathing capacity is not a common outcome, as the core respiratory issue is weakened muscles, not just compressed lungs. The recovery process itself is the most significant hurdle, frequently characterized by profoundly extended fatigue that can last much longer than in other patients. A major challenge is the risk of new, permanent weakness in the arms and legs, as these limbs must overcompensate for the immobilized torso during recovery, placing excessive strain on already vulnerable muscles and nerves.