Scoliosis

My DD who is 9 was just dignosed with scoliosis, it is 10 % curved... The Dr are saying she'll get xrayed 2 per year, but we realy have to wait until she reaches puberty, that's like 2-3 years from now..

I was thinking mabye taking her to the ciro or mabye doing yoga to help....
My cousin in Europe had this and hers was bad, when I was 12 years old I remember going to Italy and seeing her in a body cast.

Thanks for listening or if anyone has any advice for me.

All the best Lina

Re: Scoliosis

I have it, im not sure what % but its not bad to the point where i need anything done. I was told that physical therapy would help, altough im too lazy to actually go I would try to nip it in the butt before it gets any worse, i live everyday with horrible back pain and i get so depressed to think ill have to live the rest of my life like this all because i never listened to my grandpa when he told me to sit up straight

Re: Scoliosis

I am so very sorry you are going through this...... She complains of headaches somtimes and I'm sure it could be all related.....I am going to look into physical therapy for her..

Thank you and hope you feel better.

Re: Scoliosis

who said just to watch and x-ray? if it was just her pediatrician, I would take her to an orthopedist who specializes in this. i don't see why she couldn't start wearing a simple brace or something at night... Also, the spine is connected to your whole body so the headaches and what not are probably related. I think regular adjustments at a chiropractor could help.

GOOD LUCK!

Re: Scoliosis

I did take her to the orthopedics, (Winthrop pediatrics Orthopedics) in Garden City and they said she should get xrayed every 6 months, believe me I as her mother am upset because I don't want to wait, I want it fixed now because if it curves more it will harder to reverse it.

I should go for 2nd opinion.

Message edited 4/5/2009 9:11:36 PM.

Re: Scoliosis

I too have always had a curved spine. all the dr.'s when i was younger said it was slightly curved, nothing to worry about.

im bony and when i bend over, the middle of my spine sticks out as if a cat were arching its back..and my shoulders are rounding. Im 30. Its freaky to look at b/c of how bony it is..LOL

I have constant back tightness, muscle tightness, headaches/neck/shoulder pain.

there are soft braces she can wear even under her clothes to help remind her of good posture. there are simple stretches a therapist can teach you to do. Even pilates will help build the core muscles and help posture.

i believe the curvature needs to be min 35% before dr's will even consider surgery. 10% isnt awful, but i would get a 2nd opinion or find a PT who can teach her good posture and exercises.

Re: Scoliosis

I would take her to a chiropractor. Many times they can help.

Scoliosis is hereditary. Does anyone else have it?

I have it but it's not bad. I don't know what the curve % is, but 10% doesn't sound bad when compared to 35%.

Re: Scoliosis

Yes my cousin had it and her 2 kids have it as well, they all had surgery.

Re: Scoliosis

I have had scoliosis since like 3rd grade. I had a brace to try to control the curving but I was supposed to wear it 23 hours per day and that wasn't happening at that age. I finally had to have surgery because my curve was over 30 degrees and there was the risk of my lungs being crushed. I was 17 when I had my surgery. My sister also had it at the age of 13.

Everyone has a small curvature. Ten degrees is not very bad, but it needs to be watched closely as she grows and her body changes. I wouldn't recommend taking her to a Chiro. Some of the docs I have seen say they can make things worse. A chiro my Dad took me to once told me I wouldn't be able to have children because of my scoliosis. That is absolutely not true at all. I don't know that PT will help either if she's not in any pain. Make sure she doesn't carry a heavy backpack and that she uses both straps (doesn't carry it on one shoulder). Also make her sit and stand straight.

Dr. Agulnick at Winthrop is a great doc. I fully trust his opinion. He trained with my surgeon in NYC who is like one of the top spine specialists in the world. If you want a 2nd opinion, go to a doc in the city. Every Ortho my Dad took me to out here on the island said to go into the city. My surgeon is Dr. Michael Neuwirth. He operated on Gloria Estefan when she had her accident and also worked with Chris Reeves. I went to see him last year and he remembered everything about my case from 8 years ago, even my sisters! He's an outstanding doctor. I'm supposed to have another surgery to fuse the rest of my spine and if I go through with it, he will be doing it.

Feel free to FM me with specific questions. I could write a ton about scoliosis. Dr. Neuwirth wrote a book called The Scoliosis Handbook. Check it out - it has a ton of info.

Re: Scoliosis

OH MY GOSH..DR. NEUWIRTH!!

My coworker said he saved her life. She was on the verge of adopting children b/c her scoliosis was so bad that she didnt think she would be able to carry a child. I believe they put metal rods in or removed one of her ribs and fused it to her spine..i cant remember. maybe it was both.

I did contact his office..he's part of the Spine Institute at beth israel in NYC.
spine institute

I was told after he looked at my xrays that the degree wasnt in the %age of what he treats..i think thats where i got the 30-35% from.

However, I did see alexander lee there..he's a sports rehab person. very nice, but didnt really help me much

Definitely check out the spine institute for more info!

Re: Scoliosis

I thank you so very much for the information you had given me.. I will get his book and also give his office a call...
Again Thank you

Re: Scoliosis

don't do ANYTHING that your doctor doesn't recommend.

there is a reason they are waiting for puberty, to see what happens to the curve.

your doc can Rx therapy if you ask and get a prescription, but don't go to a chiropractor...you don't want ANYONE manipulating the spine.

I worked for a spine specialist and we had ped scoli twice a month.

she may eventually have to wear a brace, but please don't try to speed up the care.

ETA: if you haven't already, I definitely recommend seeing an Orthopedic Spine specialist.

Message edited 4/9/2009 12:10:43 PM.

Re: Scoliosis

I haven't taken her anywhere yet....not to the chiro or PT..... she and I have been doing some yoga at home.....
Thank you for your advice..

Lina

Message edited 4/9/2009 7:42:47 PM.