My fiance has scoliosis. they told him if his back keeps hurting him then he needs surgery. he doesn't want pain medicine or surgery though. ?

Source pain differs: Unlike teenagers with spinal deformity who rarely complain of pain, adult patients with deformity present with variety of symptoms. Low back pain and stiffness two most common symptoms. Numbness and cramping and shooting pain in the legs due to pinched nerves can occur. These symptoms are due to degeneration of the discs and joints leading to narrowing of the openings for nerves or spinal stenosis.

Scolosis: If your fiance can tolerate the pain and does not want surgery then it is a matter of "quality of life" issues. Many patients will prolong a surgery to avoid risks associated with the procedure and that is normal. As for pain medicine the same options apply.