FAQ - Scoliosis
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What is the treatment for scoliosis if I am 21?

I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 11, but the doctors said since I hadn't gotten my period they couldn't do anything but watch my curve. Now I am 21 years old and it appears it has grown. I have a 35 degree angle and with a difference of 7mm right discrepancy. Does anybody know what my treatment is going to be? I have to go see a spine specialist but I am so scared. It's not really noticable. I mean, my shoulder blades look even and all. Anybody know?
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Your treatment will be to keep your back muscles strong and if you have pain, perhaps see a pain management doctor. If your curve increases and your quality of life tanks, you may end up having surgery anyway. At 35 degrees, you won't be having surgery for a long time, though. You'll probably need to be over 50 degrees before a scoliosis specialist will consider operating.  (+ info)

Where can I get my scoliosis x-ray looked at to obtain a degree of curve?

I have recently had a second x-ray to look at my thoracic scoliosis and was not given a degree of curve by the radiologist. He said that it is not needed! Is there somehow I can get the measurement another way? I am getting very frustrated with the way I am being dismissed by the medical profession.
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Ask your referring doctor or chiropractor to ask the radiologist via phone call or fax for the degree of scoliosis. It is actually very easy to get that number, so I am unsure why the radiologist refused. Patients are more easily refused than another medical professional.....unfortunate, but true. Best wishes.....  (+ info)

Will I have to stop dancing when I start my scoliosis treatment?

Recently, I went to a well-child doctors appointment and they noticed a slight curve in my back and sent me to get x-rays. The results came back as positive and more then 20 degrees.

My mother had scoliosis too when she was my age (14). I dance a lot and i want to know if i will have to stop dancing.

I will return to a back specialist near the end of april... Will they tell me i cant dance?
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From my experience, I have not had to stop playing sports. I wear a Scoliosis brace and I still play soccer. I have a 36 degree curve and I have never even thought about not playing sports. If you have any other questions about Scoliosis, visit my website at http://scoliosisstories.webs.com/. Good luck!  (+ info)

How can i get rid of scoliosis?

i think i am pretty tall for my young teenage age and i suddenly noticed there was a curvy thingee on my spine! scoliosis!! how can i fix this problemo and by when?? O.0 helpp me!
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uh dude. you cant... and its nearly impossibe to tell by yourself. you need to have a doctor tell you. they use this bar. thing. im not sure what its called. but check with a doctor or your parents? and you can fix scoliosis by yourself. you need a back brace from a doctor. good luck to you though  (+ info)

Can a back muscle imbalance cause scoliosis?

I have had winged scapula, so diminished rhomboids, traps, lats, serrotois anterior for many years now can those cause structoral scoliosis?
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Structural scoliosis happens because your bones are growing that way, not because your muscles are imbalanced. Muscle imbalance may affect "functional" scoliosis, but that isn't what you're asking about.

Disclaimer: I am not experienced in functional scoliosis.  (+ info)

What are some good stomach-toning exercises for someone with extreme scoliosis and lordosis?

I have reeeeaaally bad lordosis and scoliosis, so I can't do push-ups, sit-ups or anything like that?
HELLP!
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Swimming, lots of swimming.  (+ info)

What exactly does a doctor have to see / do to check for scoliosis?

I'm a teenage girl, and I think I may have developed scoliosis.
If the doctor checks for it, will I need to get undressed or anything?
I have a male doctor, so I don't know if that's ok or not?
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You shouldn't be totally undressed. Its your back that needs to be seen so the doctor will need you to show your back uncovered.

The following is what will happen if you see a scoliosis specialist. Your family doctor would do a subset of this list.

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...

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.  (+ info)

How can you tell if you have scoliosis?

I got a test done at school and they put down "rib hump" as one of the symptoms of scoliosis (my ribs do stick out and have for a while but i dont know if that is what they are refering to?) i do feel pain in my sholder blades somtimes (i have had this pain in my sholders before i even knew about scoliosis so its not sicological) i have a hard time sitting up straight, when i try it hurts more then my normal pain. The nurse sent home a note that said they have to refer anyone with a spinal curviture over 7 and im a 9, im so confused and have no idea how to tell if i do have scoliosis, please help!
I am seeing a Doctor soon...but i would like to get some other advice.
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The doctor will take xrays. If you have scoliosis you will actually be able to see the curve on the xray. I have very mild scoliosis and was able to see it on the xray. Hope that helps.  (+ info)

Where should I go to check for scoliosis?

My mom wants to bring me to a regular doctor, and my dad wants to bring me to a chiropractor. The chiropractor is free, but my mom says chiropractors no nothing about scoliosis and the regular private doctor will tell me if I have it or not.
chiropractors specialize in the spinal area of the human body, so im most certain its a chiropractor i have to see... but im not 100% sure.
the chiropractor i will see IS capable of ordering x-rays to be done.
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Chiropractors are not licensed medical practitioners, so I would suggest going to an actual doctor.  (+ info)

What do you do when your surgeon says that he cannot correct your scoliosis curvature at all?

I have a 58 degree spinal curve from hereditary scoliosis. I've been searching for a surgeon for almost thirty years that could correct the problem with no luck. Now that it has reached the 58 degrees curve all I know to do is pain management and pool therapy. Not much of a life!
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I am 18 and i had a 72 percent curve before i got surgery. But it seems like you are past the point of surgery. Most of the time they try to give you surgery in you early years like in the teens. I would try going to a spine specialist and if they say there is nothing they can do then thats that.  (+ info)

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