Adult onset scoliosis

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sunnycal
  • Start date Start date
S

Sunnycal

Guest
I usually post on the RSD board, but now my husband has a new problem, so I am trying over here. He has had RSD in his ankles for 10 years (after an auto accident). In the accident the transverse process of L4 was broken, as well as his knee, shoulder and ankle. In the last few years, he has developed scoliosis with spinal rotation, kyphosis, DDD, and spondylisthesis. He walks hunched over and tipped to the right, and is in a lot of pain in his back. We have X rays from 8 years ago that show good discs and no scoliosis. Then an MRI 3 years ago, showed all this. What would cause it to come on so suddenly? His head tips to the right and was the first sign (as we look back at photographs.) He did have a trial of a spinal cord stimulator after the normal x rays. He is scheduled for another MRI with contrast in a few weeks. He is seeing a physiatrist who has no idea what caused it. The only nurabness he has is on the right side of his right foot. He also has brisk reflexes in his legs and no reflexes in his arms. He is very worried that it is getting worse. Does anyone have any ideas?
Sunny
 
My concern would be that if his spine is moving (either side to side or too much curve/not enough) that some kind of surgery may be needed to stabilize it and get him back to a normal (or near normal) spinal alignment. Without that I don't see how it would be prevented from worsening. One possibility that comes to mind (and I could be way off here) is Ankylosing spondylitis
 
Thank you for your reply. I did some research after I posted this. I found that adult scoliosis can be caused by uneven wear on the discs. His ankle is fused and he had knee surgery on the same side, and his hip was out of place at one point, so maybe that would cause the discs to have degenerated unevenly. But it seems like an extreme reaction to the DDD! His pain is at the side, not at the base of the spine. Hopefully we will find a doctor who is willing to be a detective and figure out the source of the pain.
Sunny
 
hi sunny,
have his bone density checked. i have spinal arthritis and osteoporosis...something that causes scoliosis because as the weight of the spinal bones change, they become less stable, which results in movement. best of luck. there is help with meRAB for that.
 
Hello Sunny, and welcome to the back board where I hope you will find some answers and support.

I think you have figured out one of the causes of your husbanRAB deteriorating discs; now the important thing is to get the opinions of at least 2 spine specialists. Not regular orthos or neuro's, but those with fellowships in spine surgery. It's best, in my opinion, to have at least 2 doctors who agree on what neeRAB to be done. Of course, if either you or your husband has been seeing a spine specialist and you have trust in him/her, then you already have established a relationship of trust.

I hope you will post back and tell us the results of the new MRI with contrast which should show much greater detail than the previous MRI. It will hopefully make the picture much clearer for the specialist.

Blessings.

Carol
 
Back
Top