I'm in my 30s and I have scoliosis. It's getting worse...?

Question

I need a London specialist. And a lot more information, but I don't want to bore the peanut gallery...

You guys are so great! But I'm still in the situation where I have to explain scoliosis to my GP. And I'm really not completely sure what I have to deal with. I know - wimp city. Easier to talk than deal....

I could tell you a true life Mommy Dearest story if you wanted to listen...

My mother made it very clear that I should never ever admit a problem or disability - it was embarrassing to her... that' s the Mommy Dearest reference...

Answer 1

My son has scoliosis and is having spinal fusion tomorrow. He has a 45 degree curve in his spine that can only be corrected surgically. I suggest that you go to your primary care physician and have he/her refer you to a orthopedic. A curve in the spinal will change at least one degree per year and this will cause your organs to shift. If you allow it to go to long untreated there will be nothing that they can do for you. You will need to be monitored every 4-6 months to keep an eye on any changes in your spine. Please take this very seriously and get treatment because most people don't realize the severity of this condition. Take care and good luck. If you want to talk I am willing to offer any information that I know, just leave a message at the end of your question and I will provide my email.

Answer 2

hello,

a scoliosis literally means that your spine is "not straight", i.e. is curving to the sides if you look at it from the back. there are several different types of scolioses:
-idiopathic scoliosis ( or primary)does not have a known cause. it usually happens in children and early teenage years. it is very dramatic and progresses very rapidly. The curve in the spine often reaches beyond 30-40 degrees whitin 6 months of it first developing. In this case the usual medical approach is to first prescribe a corset for the user, after which an operation is usually performed, called spinal fusion. there are different variations on these, but the overall goal is to have off bone from the vertebrae then align them properly before fusing them together with a foreign object (most often metal bars inserted very close to the spine).
-There is also secondary scoliosis. this can happen due to compensation at any age in a human being (or animals for that matter). an example of that is if one leg was shorter than the other (whether actually shorter or just shorter in standing posture due to other factors), in which case the pelvis would tilt sideways and the spine would curve accordingly. This is because our bodies our designed to keep our eyes and ear levelled with the horizon. Hence if our lower body is going off at an angle, then our middle body (i.e. the spine) needs to correct it for our upper body (the head) to remain the same.
Scolioses are also divided into functional, or structural. if it is functional, then there is only an angle in the vertical alignment of the spine, and the vertebraes have not changed.
if untreated, some scolioses will change from fucntional to structural, in which case the vertebrae will slowly start remodelling themselves, and their shape will change in order for bone to still be able to weight-bear as effectively as possible. once this happens the curve in the change can not be changed. (can not be changed by removing the cause, I mean. surgery might still be possible)
In most cases, scolioses are not symptomatic. Most people go through life with mild to severe scolioses without knowing anything about it. the fact that the spine is angled is not necessarily a bad thing. It may be that the body has adapted for something, and the curvature is necessary for good functioning of the body. However, in the majority of cases where pain does arise, good consistent treatment from a physiotherapist, an osteopath or a chiropractor will more often than not result in significant decrease in pain.
Which one you choose then depends to you, to what kind of treatment you would prefer, to whether you are referred from your GP or not, etc. It is always usually a good first step to see your GP about it first to see if the NHS will cover your costs by referring you to a specialist. If not then you can self reffer and make the appointment yourself.
I hope this answers your questions. If not please ask further.

Answer 3

Has there been any change in your circumstances that would make it worse?

Being in good shape - getting your muscles to hold your skeleton together - is the right way to go, but you have to know the right exercises that don't put unnecessary strain on your back, and are designed to pull your spine back into place. Swimming is a good suggestion, but go see a specialist. You might end up in a brace for a few hours a day.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Well I would go to your GP first. I was treated at the Royal National Orthapaedic Hospital in Stanmore when I had my operations for scoliosis. Go see your GP and ask for their advise.

Answer 5

scoliosis is curvature of the spine,your doctor would or should
know about it.I was diagnosed with scoliosis too,you should perhaps ask your doctor for a hospital appointment if you are worried about it,overall its no big deal, but it helps if you sit upright
and dont slouch also stretching helps.also google scoliosis.

Answer 6

Most people have some scoliosis to a degree. Every chiropractor will say so to you, just so they can continue to charge a fee. Unless your scoliosis is advanced, or severe, I would'nt worry.

Answer 7

Go to your GP I trust he will refer you to a reputable specialist, God bless

Answer 8

Try the following:

Scoliosis Association (UK) - http://www.sauk.org.uk - See contact us link.

Scoliosis explained - http://www.scoi.com/scoilio.htm

Healing case study - http://www.uckg.org/Case-studies/shirley-butt.php

Answer 9

Consider start swimming. It really does help with your problem.