I might have scoliosis!!! What do I do?!
Question: I might have scoliosis!!! What do I do!?
ok some i'm 16 and i just went to the chiropractor and he was very concerned that i may have scoliosis!.!.!.!.he and my mom could see the curve!. what can i expect!?!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Okay, I'm 15 and a new pro about scoliosis because I just had surgery for it, so I can probably answer pretty much any questions you have!.
You should go to a scoliosis specialist; just look it up in the yellow pages or something, there are plenty of them, at least around where I live!.
When I went, they had me change into a thin gown and took x-rays of my back at several angles!.
My scoliosis had progressed rapidly over the winter, when no one could tell because I was always wearing sweatshirts!. Therefore, my curve was extremely bad: 76 degrees!.
The basic break down for scoliosis curves is as follows:
25 degrees or less = they will just observe it and see if it is getting worse!.
25 - 45 degrees = you will wear a brace to stop the curve from progressing!. The length of time that you will wear the brace varies depending on your age, how bad the curve is, etc!. I'm not an expert on braces because I never had one!.
If your curve is 45+ degrees: you need surgery!.
The doctors were all shocked about how bad mine was!. They said it was much too late for a brace, and I needed surgery!.
Good news: I had the surgery in January of this year, and now I am almost completely back to normal!. Everyone says I look so much better and I got three inches taller because of the surgery!. It will take me a couple more months to completely regain my flexibility, but otherwise I am normal!.
Please, let me know what your curve is when you find out and I will help you way more!. I really hope it doesn't need surgery, but if it does I can help you with anything and answer any of your questions!.
Good Luck!!!Www@Answer-Health@Com
You should go to a scoliosis specialist; just look it up in the yellow pages or something, there are plenty of them, at least around where I live!.
When I went, they had me change into a thin gown and took x-rays of my back at several angles!.
My scoliosis had progressed rapidly over the winter, when no one could tell because I was always wearing sweatshirts!. Therefore, my curve was extremely bad: 76 degrees!.
The basic break down for scoliosis curves is as follows:
25 degrees or less = they will just observe it and see if it is getting worse!.
25 - 45 degrees = you will wear a brace to stop the curve from progressing!. The length of time that you will wear the brace varies depending on your age, how bad the curve is, etc!. I'm not an expert on braces because I never had one!.
If your curve is 45+ degrees: you need surgery!.
The doctors were all shocked about how bad mine was!. They said it was much too late for a brace, and I needed surgery!.
Good news: I had the surgery in January of this year, and now I am almost completely back to normal!. Everyone says I look so much better and I got three inches taller because of the surgery!. It will take me a couple more months to completely regain my flexibility, but otherwise I am normal!.
Please, let me know what your curve is when you find out and I will help you way more!. I really hope it doesn't need surgery, but if it does I can help you with anything and answer any of your questions!.
Good Luck!!!Www@Answer-Health@Com
First thing to remember is that it's not the end of the world and you will be all right!. Since you are 16, and probably haven't finished growing, you might except a brace and more visits to the chiropractor and possible physical therapy sessions!. One of my friend's developed this and he lifted weights to help his back but I would not recommend you do any of that on your own until the doctor or therapists advised you and made sure you were doing things right!. Later on you might have to have surgery but hopefully not!. Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Your mom ought to take you to a back specialist!. Then everyone can discuss the options!. It's good they found it early!.!.!.that's very good!.
A lot of it depends on the degree of curvature!.
You will probably get an x-ray if you haven't yet had one
Chiropractic manipulation may help!.
If it's in your upper back it might worsen more than if it's in your lower back!.
If you have a large curvature, they may suggest a brace that fits under your clothes!.
Most often there are no other symptoms!.
Google: mayo clinic>>diseases>>scoliosis
Good luck to you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
A lot of it depends on the degree of curvature!.
You will probably get an x-ray if you haven't yet had one
Chiropractic manipulation may help!.
If it's in your upper back it might worsen more than if it's in your lower back!.
If you have a large curvature, they may suggest a brace that fits under your clothes!.
Most often there are no other symptoms!.
Google: mayo clinic>>diseases>>scoliosis
Good luck to you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
depends on the severity !.!.!. look it up on the net and then talk to your Mom & the Dr so you're involved in the treatment process!. Good Luck to you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
You may have to wear a brace!.
Look it up, there is plenty of information on the internet about it!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Look it up, there is plenty of information on the internet about it!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
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!.
What will happen in a scoliosis examination:
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 xrays 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!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
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!.
What will happen in a scoliosis examination:
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 xrays 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!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com