Scoliosis just found out and i'm only 14!?

Question

just about a month ago i went 2 go and get a pyhsical for cheerleading and i bent over and the doctor could tell right then that i had scoliosis (yuck!) I'm only 14 and i'm still growing (if u get my drift, lol) They just found out and i already have a 30 degree curve! I'm not lop-sided or anything. I went 2 see a S. doctor and he said it's gray, like he can't tell if it will grown or not! I do figure skating, and he said that it happened during a growth spurt.. and he said that on my left side there is a strip of muscle along the spine curve and on the other side there is only a little. I think that has 2 do with me skating because when i spin i'm spinning on my left leg and set for jumps on my left and do a split spiral with my left leg in the air. i'm very active so u think that will help? I know there is no cure but... idk

HELP HELP PLEZ!

thanks!

Answer 1

From what you write it is not a major issue and likely never will.  For the most part your growing is almost done. If it were going to be progressive, you would have known long before the doctor told you about it.  Keep your muscles strong and body limber and you may never have any problems.  Posture is also very important.  Keep you back straight, shoulders back (but don't arch your back) and don't slump.  If your parents will let you, we go to a chiropractor who has helped immensely.

Answer 2

A 30 degree curve is within the range that can be braced.  Many don't understand what a brace is used for.  A brace probably won't make the curve better.  Rather, it is supposed to keep the curve from getting worse or at least slow the increase down).

Nobody can predict whether a curve will continue growing or how fast.  The best that can be done is to monitor your curve every few months.  The number of months might depend on how fast the curve grew in the past.

Being active will keep your core muscles strong.  This will help keep your back pain-free.  If there is pain, exercising will likely reduce the amount of pain.

One thing about a 30-degree curve.  Most curves don't increase after you've stopped growing.  But curves over 30 degrees tend to slowly increase even after you've stopped growing.  I can't guess what your curve will do since you're on the border, but you should keep monitoring the curve occasionally.  Get your back checked also if your back starts having strong or sharp pains that last more than a few days.

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 3

My cousin had scoliosis and she is a cheerleader too. Not to scare you, but hers was so bad, she had to have 2 metal rods put down her back... But a lot of people who have scoliosis only need to wear a brace at night or day or just do nothing. It's going to be aokay. The worst thing that could happen is they have to fix it.