Just diagnosed with scoliosis.

  • Thread starter Thread starter b dog
  • Start date Start date
B

b dog

Guest
I am a 18 year old male with S-type scoliosis that has a 12 degree and 6 degree curve or something like that. My doctor said it's mild and won't require surgery for now. I'm going to have it be monitored since I'm still growing and it seems to be getting worse. If my insurance covers it, i'm going to get some physical therapy lessons to do at home. Lately my back has been hurting in the same spot pretty much 24-7, and I never feel comfortable anymore. What should I expect from this? Is it going to ruin my life? Would exercise be good for it? Are there any scoliosis survivors who would be kind enough to give me some info?
 
Your life is definitely not ruined, and yes, there are exercises you can do to help. If your insurance company will send you to PT, they can teach you some good core strengthening exercises that will help you a lot. Did your doctor do a hand x-ray on you? The hand x-ray can tell your bone-growth age. When my son was diagnosed, he was just watched for a while. When he got worse, he had the hand x-ray, which showed his bone growth age at 14 1/2 years, even though he was 15 1/2. That's how they can tell if you're finished growing. He is now 18 and has a 35 degree curve, but he has little to no pain from it. He wore a hard plastic brace for several years for 12 hours a day. That may have kept it from getting worse. I have a 75 degree curve, so the severe type runs in our family. Your curve is so mild, though, I'd be very surprised if they would want to put you in a brace. You probably don't have too much more growth to come. If you get some good PT, that may be all you need. I would try to find someone who specializes in scoliosis cases. I had PT before my surgery, and although I liked the guy, I think some of the exercises he had me doing actually made me worse.

Don't despair. You still have lots to look forward to in life. If you get some good exercises and then DO THEM REGULARLY, that will help with your pain. Ask your doctor whether Ibuprofen or Naproxen Sodium would be better on your bad days, and how much, or if he would recommend something else. Heat or ice may also help. You may need to learn how to modify some of the things you do to put less stress on your back, but a mild scoliosis won't keep you from enjoying sports and other activities.

Good luck! SounRAB like you're getting good care. Do make sure your doctor keeps an eye on your scoliosis in case it does start getting worse. And come back and ask whatever questions you may have.

Blessings,
Emily
 
Thanks for being so helpful and supporting. I am going to ask my doctor about getting a hand x-ray. My family has a history of growing for a long time, and I grew over 5 inches last year, so I probably am still growing.
 
Growing so much in one year is probably why the scoliosis either started or got worse. Those growth spurts are hard on the spine. KiRAB who have been diagnosed at a younger age and are being watched almost always get a little worse when they go through growth spurts.

I don't know if a family doctor would do the hand x-ray. My son's was done by his pediatric orthopedic doctor. Have you been to an orthopedic doctor? If not, your family doctor can give you the name of a good one to start. It wouldn't hurt to be followed by a specialist rather than a family doctor, if you aren't already. If you ever reach the point of needing surgery (I predict not, so please don't panic), you will want to get a second opinion. If you come back here, lots of folks will be able to give you tips on to choose a doctor.

I wish you the best!
~Emily
 
My doctor gave me an appointment with an orthopedic doctor starting Feb 14th, to have my back monitored. When I go then, i'll ask him about the hand x-ray.

Thanks for your continued support!
 
Yes, I wore a back brace for years when I was younger and did a lot of excercise such as ballet and swimming, it helped so much that the curvatures improved greatly! Look into a back brace and get into a pool and maybe see a chiropractor, you will find some relief and improvement :)
 
Please stay away from a chiropracter unless your ortho doc tells you to see one. He may refer that you go to a Physical therapist and get some good therapy and exercises to do.

keep us posted...
 
Back
Top