Son diagnosed with scoliosis - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

LuvMyLilDoggie · 09-13-2003, 02:15 PM

My 14 yr old was recently diagnosed scoliosis at a physical for school. His doctor said it's mild. She wants to check it again in 6 months to see if there's any change. He has occassional pain in his left shoulder. Had x-ray of shoulder. Doc said it was OK. He's still complaining of pain, especially now with his book bag on it. I know nothing about this. So I was hoping that you guys can enlighten me on this subject. What should I look for? What are the best exercises to strengthen his muscles? What kind of questions do I need to ask the doctor? Are braces prescribed for mild cases? What kind of tests should his doctor be doing? I have HMO and sometimes we REALLY have to press for things to be done so I need to know as much info as you can give me. Thanks.
Barb

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"Life, for all its agonies...is exciting and beautiful, amusing and artful and endearing... and whatever is to come after it-we shall not have this life again."

franjo · 09-14-2003, 12:27 PM

Barb~

I have congenital scoliosis and was treated by Shriner's Hospitals until I was 18 yrs. old.....I'm now 45. I hope I can answer at least some of your questions.

I also have an HMO and I know how hard it is sometimes to get the medical treatment you need, especially in these circumstances where expert consultation is necessary. Keep pushing and appealing....it's too important not to.

I would suggest getting your son to a scoliosis expert. As far as tests, he should have a full range of scoliosis X-rays performed. Torso strengthening excercises would probably benefit him, but please do these under the instruction of either a doctor or a licsensed physical therapist.

You may want to ask the doctor if your son's scoliosis is congenital or acquired. Perform a search on these boards for scoliosis. There is a lot of helpful information here.

I only had to wear a brace after my surgeries. The brace's main function was to immobilize my spine to ensure a solid fusion. I know that some kids at Shriner's wore them as a corrective measure without the surgery, but that was in the late 60's and early 70's....so much has changed since then.

It's good that they caught this early. That's in his favor. Does he wear his bookbag on one shoulder? If so, I think it would be less stressful on his spine to wear it over both shoulders so his center of gravity is equaled out...I know those bags can become quite heavy.

I hope I've helped in answering your questions. I just recently had rods replaced on my spine with additional hardware....but my curvature is severe.

If you have any more questions, I'd be glad to try and answer them.

Take Care,

~Teri

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Spina-bifida occulta; Congenital Scoliosis (dextrorotatory and 'S' curve, 42 thorasic and 57 degrees lumbar); Meningomyelocele (split cord @ L1); Diastematomyelia (re-sectioned at L2-3); tethered cord @ S-3; cysts on cord; various developmental abnormalities of the spine: narrowing of all disk spaces, defects in posterior arches, ectasia of the spinal canal and dura, segmental disease, sclerosis in L. iliac bone and adjacent sacroiliac joint, unilateral osteitis condensans ilium, hypertrophic facet disease L4-5 and L5-S1.

Surgeries include, but not limited to:
Lumbar fusion-1968
Fusion with Herrington Rod instrumentation-1970
Femoral osteotomy-1971
Tethered cord release-1987
Rod removal-1987
Chiari-type pelvic osteotomy-1988
Trochanteric osteotomy-1989

Icaaa · 09-14-2003, 02:19 PM

Mom

Have you been on the back board of this sight? I know I have read alot of postings there about this.

Good luck.

Carla

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Ruptured retrieved 14 pieces ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7. (7/18/03)

LuvMyLilDoggie · 09-14-2003, 10:04 PM

No I haven't been to the back board. Will go check it out now. Thanks to both of you for your help.
My son's doctor acted like it was nothing. She told him of his scoliosis in a "by the way" sort of way. She acted like it was nothing at all to worry about. What worried me so is the way she acted. I know that sounds strange. But I really would have rathered she take me aside and explain all this to me. Then I would have had a grasp on things. And my son would not have been so freaked about it. He was asking me questions that I had no answers to. That's what scared him so badly. Later, he told me he thought he was going to die or something and I wasn't telling him. All this because I didn't have the answers. I felt so bad for him. I told his doctor that he needs her to explain EXERYTHING to him. He's almost 15 now. He can be told more than little ones can. I think he's OK with this now. He's getting pretty active this year. He joined the Air Force JROTC program in his school. I hope all the exercise he gets there will hepl him with his back. Thanks again.
Barb

LuvMyLilDoggie · 09-14-2003, 10:05 PM

No I haven't been to the back board. Will go check it out now. Thanks to both of you for your help.
My son's doctor acted like it was nothing. She told him of his scoliosis in a "by the way" sort of way. She acted like it was nothing at all to worry about. What worried me so is the way she acted. I know that sounds strange. But I really would have rathered she take me aside and explain all this to me. Then I would have had a grasp on things. And my son would not have been so freaked about it. He was asking me questions that I had no answers to. That's what scared him so badly. Later, he told me he thought he was going to die or something and I wasn't telling him. All this because I didn't have the answers. I felt so bad for him. I told his doctor that he needs her to explain EXERYTHING to him. He's almost 15 now. He can be told more than little ones can. I think he's OK with this now. He's getting pretty active this year. He joined the Air Force JROTC program in his school. I hope all the exercise he gets there will help him with his back. Thanks again.
Barb

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"Life, for all its agonies...is exciting and beautiful, amusing and artful and endearing... and whatever is to come after it-we shall not have this life again."