My experience of living with scoliosis after opting not to have surgery in her childhood

My condition was diagnosed in 1966 when I was 10 years old – curvature of the spine with rotation. At that time, the only available treatments were bone grafts or a torso plaster cast, with no guarantees of success. My parents were in favour of me having the operation, but the surgeon Mr Hadfield of the Rowley Bristow Orthopaedic Hospital said that, despite only being 11, the decision was mine. I asked if I would be able to ride after the surgery and was told no. So, since I wasn’t in any pain and horse mad, I said no to the surgery.

I worked with racehorses and rode in point-to-point races. I never regretted my decision, as I did what made me so happy.

Of course I have had my problems over the years. I had both steroid injections and epidurals for pain until 2017. At this point, the NHS removed this option, instead offering Pain Management group sessions which I attended.

Over the years I have tried physiotherapy, chiropractors, acupuncture and even faith healers. I now have osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, and my latest x-rays and scans show a cob angle of 105 degrees.

The only thing that still irks me is that my medical records state I ‘refused treatment’, making me feel that this is my fault. However, there really is no comparison from treatments in 1966 to what is available in 2024!