I have scoliosis and probably need surgery...52 degree curve..can i cure that???!
Question: will things like yoga help?
does anyone else have a curve like mine?
(one doctor say i have a 52 degree curve another says 33 ???
is the first one lying?
Answers: will things like yoga help?
does anyone else have a curve like mine?
(one doctor say i have a 52 degree curve another says 33 ???
is the first one lying?
You're not alone by any means. Many that read this forum nave a large curve, myself for example. I had a 60-degree upper curve when I was fused.
If you have structural scoliosis (one kind of structural is "idiopathic") then no, yoga won't help. See below (***) for a bit more info.
I doubt that the first one is lying. If one doctor is a scoliosis specialist and the other isn't, I'd pick the specialist. If both are specialists, one was incorrectly measured. If neither are scoliosis specialists, you really need to find one. I've heard that it can be common for a 5-degree difference to occur so my eyebrows are raised when I hear of a 19-degree difference.
I've posted the following a few times for other people with questions. I hope I'll answer the things that have you concerned.
If you have a curve that is giving you trouble, you will need to see a scoliosis specialist. Any doctor that doesn't have a scoliosis specialty doesn't have the expertise to treat scoliosis.
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.
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). There are cases where the surgery is less invasive than other cases, but having the usual posterior incision isn't too bad.
*** Chiropractors, message therapists, acupuncturists, etc., also 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.
Please email me if you have questions.
For a curve of 52 degrees surgery is definitely indicated. This is considered a pretty severe case. If you have doubts get another opinion but if you truly have a 52 degree curve you will need surgery. Make sure that when you choose a surgeon he/she is board certified and has experience and a good track record performing this procedure.
Here is some more info on scoliosis:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/...
Best of luck!