I have Scoliosis in my back any info?

Question

I'm 14 yrs old and have just found out i have bad scoliosis in my spine, I'm going to a specialist on Monday. What do you think will happen, what things can i ask him and i want to find out more so if you know anything plz tell me!

thanks :)

Answer 1

Here's what will happen when the specialist examines you:

o Your medical history will be looked over.

o Your weight and height will be measured.

o You'll have your reflexes checked.

o You'll walk forwards and backwards on your heels and toes to check balance and nerves.

o You'll walk forward and backward normally to check your gait.

o You'll bend in all directions to check for flexibility.

o Your back will be checked for obvious signs of scoliosis.

o If you have scoliosis and don't have recent x-rays that you've brought, you will have fresh x-rays taken.

o Your curve on the x-ray will be measured.

o You'll have your back examined for soreness.

o If needed, your treatment options will be discussed.

o You may get referrals for PT or pain management. You may also get a prescription for a brace if appropriate for your scoliosis.

o A pain management doctor may be asked to perform more diagnostics if you have disc problems.

o I've probably missed a few things...

Things that are important to know:

o What kind of scoliosis do I have?  (Functional or structural?  Idiopathic?  etc.)

o What kind of curve do I have (Single, double, triple curve)?

o How many degrees is my curve?

o What levels would be fused if I had surgery?

o Do I need a brace?

o If so, what kind of brace should I get?

o How long each day do I need to wear the brace?

o Under what circumstances can I take it off?

o How do I know when I can quit wearing it?

o If you are in pain all the time, ask if you should also see a pain management doctor?

o Is my curve getting worse?

o How quickly is my curve getting worse?

o There are a few things I've forgotten.  I'll try to edit the list as I remember...

Now, here's some scoliosis information that may be helpful.  Some of this may repeat parts of other replies.

I've posted the following a few times for other people with questions. I hope I'll answer the things that have you concerned.

Scoliosis comes mainly in two flavors - functional (the curve is caused by another issue (uneven leg length for example) and structural.  There are two main kinds of structural scoliosis - congenital (present at birth) and idiopathic (unknown cause).  It is important for you to know what kind you have.

If you have functional scoliosis, a chiropractor may be able to help.  Shoe lifts may help with uneven legs, but there can be many causes of functional scoliosis.  I don't have much experience with functional scoliosis.

If you have structural scoliosis, there's not a lot you can do.  The main treatments depend on how bad the curve is and how much more growth you have to go.  Its not possible to predict how much or how fast a curve may increase.

You need to see a scoliosis specialist if you're not doing that already. A doctor that is not trained as a scoliosis specialist doesn't have the expertise to treat it.

Any curve under 10 degrees is considered normal and probably isn't monitored.

Curves from 10-25 degrees are mild but should be monitored, especially if you're still growing.

Curves from 25-40 degrees are moderate with bracing possible. You will need monitoring, especially if you're still growing.

Surgery may be recommended if your curve doesn't respond to bracing. Bracing will do no good if you're through growing. The purpose of a brace isn't to make your curve better, but rather to keep the curve from becoming worse.

Curves greater than 45 degrees is major. Surgery may be recommended. This depends on many things, but whether you're done growing, whether your curve is increasing, whether your heart and lungs are in danger of being squeezed by your curve, whether you're in pain, quality of life, etc.

If your curve is over 30 degrees, there is a good chance that it will increase even when you're through growing.  (Mine did.)

Unfortunately, nothing can *fix* idiopathic scoliosis. Surgery can keep the curve from getting worse, and in most cases, will reduce the curve but most likely your spine won't be straight (unless you are very flexible in the area to be fused, then you might be lucky).

Chiropractors, message therapists, acupuncturists, etc., can't fix idiopathic scoliosis. These people adjust the soft, connective tissues and that may (or may not, you can't tell ahead of time) make you feel better, but remember, idiopathic scoliosis is not a connective tissue disease. Your spine is growing curved.

Answer 2

The specialist you're going to will probably ask you to take your shirt and/or pants off and then bend over, so make sure you wear good underwear.

Questions to ask:

How will this affect my life?

Will I need a back brace? If so, which type? How many hours a day will I need to wear it?

Is my curve on the top, the bottom, or both?

Will I need surgery?

How bad is my curve?

Is my curve idiopathic (unknown cause) or was I born with it?

Will I need physical therapy?

Can you recommend a good place to go for a brace fitting? (If he recommends Harrisonburg, VA, do not go. They treat you like an object instead of a patient. Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD, is very good, however.)

Can you give me the phone number of someone my age who ahs the same type of scoliosis?

Answer 3

i have scoliosis too!...and it is quite bad...36 degrees...u can expect a x-ray and a very basic consultation during ur visit w/ ur specialist...if ur spine curve is beyond 25 degrees, expect a prescription of a scoliosis brace...if it is below, then u r lucky because u don't have to wear an uncomfortable ugly back brace that looks like a shell for 23 hours a day...i had to wear one for 2 years...it was awful, but it did help stop the spine from curving...if u want to seek more info i recommend going to www.webmd.com and typing in "scoliosis" in the search tab...all ur questions will be answered...good luck!  

Answer 4

This is REALLY long, I hope some of it helps...

You need to see a spine specialist, either neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon. I don't trust chiropractors. I had my back manipulated once or twice, it always hurt worse after they were done with it. As a nurse, I've also cared for a few patients who required surgery after seeing a chiropractor because the chiropractor actually caused nerve damage.

When you go see your spine specialist, the doctor will do a history and physical looking for abnormal curves and body symmetry. They will also try to estimate how much growth you have left to do, because more growth remaining increases the chances of scoliosis getting worse. X-rays will allow the doctor to measure the curve and determine what treatment. Height, weight, and degree of curvature of the spine will be compared at future visits to see if the curve is worsening.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form of scoliosis (idiopathic: the cause is unknown).  It is more common in girls than boys. School screening programs have helped to identify many cases of scoliosis early.

Treatment of scoliosis is based on the severity of the curve and the chances of the curve getting worse. There are three main categories of treatment: observation, bracing, and surgery.

If the curve is small when first diagnosed, it can be observed with routine x-rays and measurements. If the curve stays below 25 degrees, no other treatment is needed. If the curve is between 25-40 degrees, a brace may be recommended. If the curve is greater than 40 degrees, then surgery may be recommended.

If the curve stays below 40 degrees until the patient is finished growing, it is not likely to get worse later in life. However, if the curve is greater than 40 degrees, it is likely to continue to get worse by 1-2 degrees each year for the rest of the patient's life. If this is not prevented, the patient will eventually be at risk for heart or lung problems.

Most people with scoliosis can live full, productive, and normal lives. I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 12. I was very scared at first, but got in with a good group of doctors at Shriner's Hospital and they put me so at ease. I wore a Wilmington brace from under my arms to just over my hips for 10 mo., then had surgery shortly before I turned 14. I had to go back into a brace about a year after my surgery for 10 mos. until my bottom curve was completely stabilized.

I'm as normally functioning as anyone (are any of us really "normal"?). I never got off schedule with school. Graduated college at 20 and have been an OR nurse for 16 years, one of the most physically demanding areas of nursing (lots of lifting and lots of standing in one place for long periods). I've had 2 children without difficulty (didn't even use an epidural). I love to travel (I don't set off metal detectors), yoga (though the fusion prevents some positions), and SCUBA dive. I can pretty much do anything I want...but don't tell my husband I use the scoliosis to get out of vacuuming :) My bottom curve aches now and then, I'm supposed to take 1-2 Alleve at bed time, but us nurses are awful patients, so I don't do it regularly..

Are you being treated at a Shriner's Hospital/Clinic? Absolutely the best place for scoliosis patients under 21! Wherever you are at, ask the docs/nurses if they can arrange for you to visit/talk with other patients. Other places may do this too, but I think Shriner's goes above and beyond for their kids.

Here are a few tips in case you need a brace...

You have to have a strong sense of self and not let it mess with your idea of body image. Braces can be clunky and you don't look/feel like everyone else, but keep in mind why you are wearing it. You want to keep your body as healthy as you can and try to correct your back.

Liking it...The first few nights, it was hard too fall asleep in the brace. Once you get used to it, sleeping wasn't too bad. But now, some days if I'm feeling a little achy, I miss it. You could be lazy and let the brace do the support work your muscles usually do.

Clothes...On the bright side, you have a legitimate reason to go shopping. Braces are so figure flattering, not! You'll have to adjust your size. Some braces are larger than others, some more visible than others. Being where mine was, axilla to hips, it wasn't very visible. I wore loose flowy tops in the warm weather, and sweat shirts and sweaters in the cool. Check out maternity or plus size clothes. Target and JCPenny are good places since you can shop both types of clothes at one store. Pants and shorts had to go up a size, wear draw string waists, or you can uses one of those expand a waist button extender things. Maternity is sometimes the better fit because only you body is changing size, not all of you.

Hot weather...I was only allowed out an hour a day. I stayed inside as much as possible (although our AC broke one summer, ugh!). Read, go to movies (it

Answer 5

When i was 14 which was four years ago, i was also diagnosed with scoliosis. Basically, you will be the usually weigh in and such and then you will get around 3 x-rays. Now a question i never asked was, "Am i allowed to see my x-ray?" I didn't get to see mine until it got really bad.

But If they allow you to see it, find out what the degree of the curve is and where it is. Ask if you will need a brace or if  you will need surgery. Ask stuff about sports and stuff just to make sure.

But the doctors usually will explain everything you need to know.

Ill be getting the surgery for scoliosis in 2 days so if you have any questions..... email me at [e-mail]