Information about my curve, do I need a second opinion?

[Curious293]

Update to my story before.

I got my results back from the xray, it says I have a S-curve, 32 degree dextrosoliosis thoracic spine, and 19 degrees levoscolisis lumbar spine. Does that border on needing surgery? Although I have been doing the exercises the physical therapist told me to do for the past 2 weeks, I am still having the same problems I have had before and it still feels like my torso is bent and I am walking uneven.

I am going to my doctor next week for a follow up, should I request him to send me to a spine specialist? I think I am to the point where I want surgery.

[rohrer01]

Update to my story before.

I got my results back from the xray, it says I have a S-curve, 32 degree dextrosoliosis thoracic spine, and 19 degrees levoscolisis lumbar spine. Does that border on needing surgery? Although I have been doing the exercises the physical therapist told me to do for the past 2 weeks, I am still having the same problems I have had before and it still feels like my torso is bent and I am walking uneven.

I am going to my doctor next week for a follow up, should I request him to send me to a spine specialist? I think I am to the point where I want surgery.

It would never hurt to be followed by a spine surgeon who specialilzes in scoliosis. However, I don't know of any that would do surgery for curves of your size unless there were some pretty severe underlying circumstances. My doctor just told me NO to surgery today and I have 46* upper thoracic and 28* mid-thoracic with SEVERE pain. He said the pain is unrelated. I totally disagree, but don't know what recourse I have or where I can go. I had to fight with my insurance to see him. Generally speaking 50* is the magic number. Hope this helps. Keep in shape and use lots of ice for the pain. That's what I'm trying to do.
Best Regards

[jrnyc]

Hi Curious
i doubt any surgeon would operate on curves of that size...i am not trying to minimize pain...just let you know that it is very true that surgeons for scoli seem to have that magic number thing of 50...my upper curve is 42 and they want to ignore it and just operate basically on the lumbar curve of 61!
i would recommend a consult with a spine specialist and a pain management doctor....the spine specialist could let you know whether he/she suspects any other issues besides the scoli....the pain doctor could let you know of possible treatment options to address the pain.....


best regards
jess