My Surgery

With Scoliosis there are usually two surgery options: fusion and tethering.

The doctor I had, Dr. Diab at UCSF, specialized in and pioneered the tethering surgery. From my understanding, tethering is where the doctor enters through the side of your back, places screws into the affected vertebrae (the vertebrae apart of the curve), and a tether is attached to those screws to straighten the spine.

An advantage to this surgery is as you grow, your curve may straighten even more. Another advantage is that you are allowed a lot more mobility, which is a major benefit to athletes.

After my tethering surgery, they expected me to walk the next day. It was very important that at no time during my recovery I would be bedridden. I was out of sports for 3 months and couldn’t do any “bending, lifting, or twisting”.

My scar is about 7 in long and about 1 cm wide. It’s located where my right arm is so when my arm is down, my scar is hidden.

I never really looked into fusion because I knew my doctor specialized in tethering and staying athletic was very important to me. So when I discuss my surgery process, specifics on my pain and recovery, or how I’m feeling post-surgery, just know I had spinal tethering!