advice please. adult scoliosis
Posted , 8 users are following.
I went to doctors 18 months ago as my husband had noticed abnormal shoulder. Sent for xray. Doctor who was on his last day at surgery phoned me to say slight curve maybe arthritis. Not to wotty and go for physio. NHS gave me appointment and was given excersice to do. Back then I had no noticeable pain. Although I have had severe back pain twice in previous years so not sure if that is related. I have been having a lot of pain in upper back for past year and think shoulder has become more pronounced. Went to doctors this week and new doctor said I was diagnosed with scoliosis based on xray. News to me. She also said I can have pain management and she will refer me to orthopaedic people but they may only offer pain relief . She said she is not very clued up on scoliosis so couldn't really advice me on what is going to happen. ( will it get worse ? And why I have it ) no appointments available at the two hospitals she has referred me to. So I'm a bit distraught now and scared as I don't no what to do or what's going to happen to me. I'm 49 years old / female.
Thanks for reading and I look forward to any advice.
0 likes, 15 replies
BizzieIzzie deborah98308
Posted
So firstly, scoliosis is the abnormal cuvature of your spine. The majority of scoliosis is known as idiopathic, which means that the cause is unknown. With adults, scoliosis can also be caused by general wear and tear of the spinal column. Generally, scoliosis only gets worse with growth, which is why it is a larger problem amongst children who are growing, but it does depend on the degree of your curve. Once a curve has hit 45-50', it will usually continue to develop at a rate of 1 or 2 degrees per year.
Now, treatment for scoliosis is relatively straight forward. For many people, doctors opt for the 'wait and see' approach. This is monitoring your curve every year or so to see whether it does get worse - if it doesn't, then great! If it does, then another treatment option maybe looked into.
For children, the next stage is bracing, although I don't know how often this is suggested for an adult, but if you are in pain due to movement then it may be worth a shot?
And the last treatment option is surgery. The surgery is called 'scoliosis spinal fusion surgery', and if you look it up it really does sound scary, but from personal experience I can tell you that if your doctor recommends it, then really do consider it - I had mine less than a month ago and I could not be happier with my results so far.
As for what is going to happen next, you have been referred to an orthopedic (bone) specialist, probably a spinal or scoliosis specialist. They will discuss your scoliosis with you (and your partner) and then from there decide on a course of action.
This maybe physiotherapy to help with pain, painkillers or something different, but make sure you ask them any questions that you may have right there, as it will help you to stop worrying.
I really hope that this helps a bit! Feel free to reply here or message me with any questions that you may have, I'm willing to help in anyway that I can!
Izzie x
deborah98308 BizzieIzzie
Posted
Did yours start as an adult ?
BizzieIzzie deborah98308
Posted
I'm sorry that I can't be more help!
Izzie x
eileen64__UK deborah98308
Posted
I'm now 69 and was diagnosed with kypho scoliosis approx 12 years ago.
I have had sore back over the years but just put it down to a sore back {lower} went to an osteopath he did a few clicks and it was fine again...for a long time. I dont know if thatwas the start of it or now.
My diagnosis is idiopathic, chronic degenerative kypho scoliosis. Idiopathic is of no know origin the rest you can work out for your self
Kypho is a slight hump on your shoulders, the scoliosis is a curve in your spine.
GP will not be a lot of help...if you think about it...General Practioner....they know something about a lot of things but not a lot about one particular thing.
The orthopaedic appt is your best bet.
They arent happy about operating on adults.....apparently the operation is very successful on children fro about 10 to 19 years old but after that its not very successful. This is what my ortho told me.
You have to try and find other ways to do things rather than lifting.
What about a shoulder bag do you use that...if so I wouldnt I was advised to use a small back pack you can get some really nice ones. Just try not to lift as i say try other ways.
Sleeping...well it depends how you are affected......tere are different ways to ease the discomfort
One position for long during the day is a typical arthritis thing......you need to sit, then get up and move a bit then sit again if necessary.....but not to do the one thing for a long time. Pace yourself even if you feel brilliant and think you can do loads of things....DONT.....I did the other day {clearing out wardrobes} and am suffering for it now but it will go eventually..
So its do as I SAY not as I DO
Any questions just shout and I'll try to answer them
Love
Eileen
chris00938 deborah98308
Posted
Hope you get some answers there.
eileen64__UK chris00938
Posted
Where did you use the TENS, I've got one but it didnt seem to do much good. I'm been to a private physio recently because 4 weeks post op my 2nd hip replacement I fractured a bone doing an NHS exercise. The pain from that is on the side that was fractured {its a permanent thing and I'm on crutches permanently} He said for that pain to use the TENS every day for 30 mins. one pad on that side {bone that juts out,above the hip but below the waist} it does seem to help but when I used it on my back it didnt seem to work so I would be interested to know how often and where you used it
As for the leg length.....that was the first sign with me.....I noticed on certain trousers that one trouser leg was slightly shorter than the other!!! If i wore skirts or dresses itwouldnt have been noticeable but I live in jeans LOL
Love
Eileen UK
chris00938 eileen64__UK
Posted
I put the top two sticky pads a few inches either side of the spine almost touching the bottom of my bra and the lower two just above the beginning of buttock level. I increased the strength of the TENS (I bought the one on amazon The TENS machine Dual Channel Medfit 1) as I got used to it, so kept it up to the maximum strength that was comfortable and used it as they suggested, about 8 hours, I THINK it was, the first day, then reduced it the second and the third only thought about it in the evening and didn't need it after that.
I hope this might work for you! I live in jeans too, but hadn't even noticed one leg was shorter than the other! It sounds nasty with your hip, and doing NHS exercises too! I've started cycling (exercise bike) and treadmill to add bone and muscle strength now. We're considering a cross trainer too (that's the machine, not an annoyed physiotherapist LOL!) but I'm not sure if my knees would stand up to it.
eileen64__UK chris00938
Posted
Thanks for the information.....I've never got round to using the 4 pads....just the 2. Mine is from Lloyds chemist but it should make a lot of difference should it.
I must give it a try although 8 hours seems a long long time
Thanks again
Eileen UK
chris00938 eileen64__UK
Posted
eileen64__UK chris00938
Posted
Thanks for the information.....I will do that and see what they have to say.
Love
Eileen UK
chris00938 eileen64__UK
Posted
Jay91157 deborah98308
Posted
eileen64__UK deborah98308
Posted
One thing I forgot to mention is before your appointment with the orthopaedic consultant keep scribbling notes down, sore, when, where, what causes it etc and anything you want to ask him
Before you go sort it out and take it with you because if you are anything like me.you'll come out of the appointment thinking Oh why didnt I ask him that??? so have everything written down....just bullet points that you understand.
Love
Eileen UK
deborah98308
Posted
I agree with the leg length comment as I do tend to bend right leg when standing so I guess it is slightly longer.
I just get so scared I'm going to get worse and be deformed. I'm not the best at taking pain killers etc and hate to think I will become reliant.
kaztop48 deborah98308
Posted