Hi,
I've joined this forum to see if there is anyone in the same situation as myself.
My scoliosis was found when I was 21 after qualifying as a radiographer (sense the irony!!) as I was getting a lot of back pain. I had Xrays which showed a Tspine scoliosis and due to my age I was only referred to the pain clinic. No one seemed to be concerned nor was any other support/guidance given.
10 years on I've developed daily pain in my Tspine and Lspine along with having chest pains on bad days. My GP sent me for another set of standing Xrays which has now shown a 55 degree curve in my Tspine and more surprisingly a 48 degree curve in my Lspine. An orthopaedic consultant sent me for an MRI to check I have no nerve problems (which I haven't) and advised me that given my job and age I should consider surgery.
On Wednesday I had what was meant to be a surgical consult with a spinal specialist which was the biggest waste for time. I ended up seeing the Registrar who must have been from the dark ages as his opinion was very different to that of my orthopaedic consultant. He said at 31 they'd never operate, did not discuss my Xrays or MRI, nor did he even examine me! He wants to send me back to the pain clinic to have tramadol daily (a GREAT idea for a radiographer dealing with equipment and patients all day!!) and was very dismissive of my scoliosis. I have been told that because my curves are over 40 degrees that they are likely to increase up to 1 degree a year now.
I have been in touch with my original consultant to try to make a new appointment to see the actual spinal consultant as planned so I haven't given up yet.
Is there anyone out there in their 30's (or who surgery in their 30's) going through this process, or any similar cases where surgery has been brushed off due to their age?!
I'm hoping to attach some of my Xrays so hopefully they'll be on here too!!
Many thanks for reading,
Sarah
In the UK
Tspine = 55 degrees
Lspine = 48 degrees
tspine.jpg
Lspine.jpg
I've joined this forum to see if there is anyone in the same situation as myself.
My scoliosis was found when I was 21 after qualifying as a radiographer (sense the irony!!) as I was getting a lot of back pain. I had Xrays which showed a Tspine scoliosis and due to my age I was only referred to the pain clinic. No one seemed to be concerned nor was any other support/guidance given.
10 years on I've developed daily pain in my Tspine and Lspine along with having chest pains on bad days. My GP sent me for another set of standing Xrays which has now shown a 55 degree curve in my Tspine and more surprisingly a 48 degree curve in my Lspine. An orthopaedic consultant sent me for an MRI to check I have no nerve problems (which I haven't) and advised me that given my job and age I should consider surgery.
On Wednesday I had what was meant to be a surgical consult with a spinal specialist which was the biggest waste for time. I ended up seeing the Registrar who must have been from the dark ages as his opinion was very different to that of my orthopaedic consultant. He said at 31 they'd never operate, did not discuss my Xrays or MRI, nor did he even examine me! He wants to send me back to the pain clinic to have tramadol daily (a GREAT idea for a radiographer dealing with equipment and patients all day!!) and was very dismissive of my scoliosis. I have been told that because my curves are over 40 degrees that they are likely to increase up to 1 degree a year now.
I have been in touch with my original consultant to try to make a new appointment to see the actual spinal consultant as planned so I haven't given up yet.
Is there anyone out there in their 30's (or who surgery in their 30's) going through this process, or any similar cases where surgery has been brushed off due to their age?!
I'm hoping to attach some of my Xrays so hopefully they'll be on here too!!
Many thanks for reading,
Sarah
In the UK
Tspine = 55 degrees
Lspine = 48 degrees
tspine.jpg
Lspine.jpg
Comment