It's progressing fast because it grew 15 degrees in the last year...I dont want to have surgery and they say I am almost to old for the brace. Im being transferred to Scottish Rite Back hospital, but don't know really what this all means?!!???
2007-08-08 05:02:43 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
Surgery maybe your only option if you get worse. No other holistic medicine will help that. Acupuncture nor massage will help. So, see the doctor they are sending you to and figure out your options. I had surgery for it at the age of 3. If I didn't I would have died by the time I was 6. So, if it has to be done, it has to be done.
2007-08-08 14:05:18 · answer #1 · answered by S P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you have mos likely finished your growth spurt, it probably is too late for a brace (if you did have to wear one, you would have to wear it ALL the time until your growth spurt was finished...and that can take several years).
Surgery might be your only option at this point. It sounds to me that the curve has progessed beyond the point where anything other than surgery would not be effective.
Rods would be placed in your spine to straighten out the curve. Leaving scoliosis untreated can result in some very severe effects so talk over your options with your doctor.
Surgery won't be any fun and there will be some pain involved but once the curve is fixed, you will be much better off. Good luck.
EMT
Scottish Rite...hmmm...are you in Atlanta? That's an excellent hospital.
2007-08-08 15:30:21 · answer #2 · answered by emt_me911 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At the severity of your case, you'll probably just have a brace. This is similar to a corset and will not show or interfere much with your life. In addition to this, try natural things like massage or acupressure to see if it helps; it may or may not, but it won't cause any harm either way. Do not allow someone to force you into having surgery, and try all other options before turning to this. However, realize that you can't "get rid of" scoliosis, only stop it from progressing further. Any curvature you already have will not go away after having a brace or surgery.
2007-08-08 14:10:03 · answer #3 · answered by Lycanthrope777 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should check into some more holistic ideas. Try some Acupuncture or massage or even Rolfing. Surgery is not the answer. Well not the first answer. Never let anyone cut any part of your body until you have exhausted all other options. Though insurance doesn't always cover some natural treatments it is still cheaper in the long run than surgery. Back surgery because it is dealing with all sorts of nerves is a specialized area of study the doctors like to be handsomely rewarded for there time spent with their nose in a book.
Good luck with this I am sorry you have to deal with this at such a young age.
2007-08-08 12:16:18 · answer #4 · answered by contorted_distinction 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your condition needs treatment and that treatment might involve surgery or wearing a brace or a combination of both but whatever it is you should follow the course of treatment as outlined by your orthopedic surgeon. Talk to your orthopedist and tell him/her how you feel and ask if there is a medical social worker available for you to talk to. Medical social workers are experts at helping patients with their emotional/social needs. Good luck and I am sure you will do well but don't be afraid to seek support for your feelings.
Andy
2007-08-08 12:14:59 · answer #5 · answered by andy1066 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At the absolute worst, it means surgery and rods in your spine.
The cast/brace works to help you keep your spine straight, althoug I have to admit, most of the people I've heard of having it were younger than you...
If you don't have it (the surgery/treatment), you are going to look like one of those little old ladies, whom, when seated, their ribs and pelvis touch. Pardon the pun, but, in short, you will loose up to 1/3rd of your height as your spine curves. This means stress on the heart, difficulty breathing, and digestion problems.
One thing you can do is to remember to always stand-up and sit-up straight, and to take good care of your back. Posture is importaint, but maintaining it is even more important for you than most others. Oh, and drink lots of milk and you can avoid the Calcium supplements (which generally run the gambit from next to useless to dangerously useless).
2007-08-08 12:19:55 · answer #6 · answered by jcurrieii 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
try going to see a chiropractor. i had mild scoliosis and he adjusted my back so i didn't have a problem anymore.
2007-08-08 12:07:02 · answer #7 · answered by jljohans 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋