bad/no diagnosis

[Grandma Bonnie]

My 11 year old granddaughter and her mom live with me. GrDaughter was sent home from fifth grade in late spring with a note saying she failed her scoliosis screening. (Winging was noted on the report.) Before we could make an appt. with the Dr. for this, she developed hives (which was a recurring health issue in the early part of the year) and had to get into the Dr's office for that. While he was treating her for hives, I mentioned the scoliosis screening failure. He did a quick check, having her bend over with her shirt off. He said he saw nothing unusual and he doubts that there was anything to be concerned about.

I am not satisfied, as I see the winging of her shoulder blades. (At least that is what I think they are describing winging as. Her should blades stick out more than what I think is normal. Her tummy also sticks out more than I think it should. She is trim, but in dance class her belly always sticks out more than the other girls. Could scoliosis be a front-to-back thing, instead of side to side?

My daughter and granddaughter are very happy to drop the issue, but I still have concerns. Does it sound to you like she got the normal check after a scoliosis report? Nothing was measured, he just eye-balled her in passing. I am trying not to borrow trouble, but am still concerned. From your experience, what should a doctor's check be like? :confused:

[Gail]

Hi Grandma,

I suggest she gets an x-ray of her spine...that way everyone will know for sure if she has Scoliosis and the degree of curvature can be measured. Best of luck in convincing the daughter and grand daughter to get further test.

Gail

[Mary Lou]

I agree with Gail...try to get her x-rayed. I would suggest to the doctor prescribing the x-ray to also check for Kyphosis. Kyphosis is a "front-to-back" curve. I don't remember seeing my daughter's belly stick out from her Kyphosis, but if you're getting her checked anyway, why not check for Kyphosis as well especially if it is a concern of yours.

Good luck and don't give up until you are completely satisfied. We've all learned that sometimes Moms and Grandmas know their kids better than anyone else and if you feel the need to pursue this, don't stop until you have answers.

Mary Lou

[phaden]

While it seems like a good notion to get an x-ray to be sure, I'm not certain that the winging you describe necessarily indiciates scoli. Unless I misunderstood, both your granddaughter's shoulder blades stick out? In scoli, one sticks out a lot more than the other. This happens when the upper spine has curved to one side and starts rotating. The shoulder blade on the curved-to side protrudes. It's the asymmetry that they look for.

Any kyphosis Mums out there? Double winging and a protruding tummy?

Cheers - Patricia

[javaboy]

Hi all,
I have kyphosis, and am pretty sure that I don't have the winged shoulder blades you're worried about.
Though I've definately got the protruding tummy... my physio referred to it as 'the pot belly that never goes away'! :)
Hope that helps!
Martin Hughes

[LindaRacine]

Hi Bonnie...

Uneven shoulder blades are a sign for scoliosis, but I think that protruding shoulder blades that are even, are just a sign of being thin. Here are some sites to help you determine if she has any signs:

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Search&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=20446
http://health.allrefer.com/pictures-images/signs-of-scoliosis.html

Regards,
Linda

[briarrose]

Lordosis is the opposite of kyphosis. Is that correct? Maybe that's what she has.

[LindaRacine]

No, kyphosis is the normal or abnormal curve, when viewed from the side, at the top of the back. And, lordosis is the normal curve, when viewed from the side, at the bottom of the back. See diagrams here:

http://www.nurofen.co.uk/main.asp?pid=208

--Linda

[briarrose]

This is what I found on dictionary.com

lordosis An abnormal forward curvature of the spine in the lumbar region

I meant that lordosis was curving inward and kyphosis was outward, as in opposites, but not in the same places.

[megster85]

I think its VERY important that if your family doctor isn't meeting the needs of your grand-daughter you need to find a doctor that will. I had the same problem when i was developing scoliosis. I was seeing a physiotherapist and he noticed my scoliosis and told me to get a referral to an orthopoedic specialist but my family doctor, like yours, told my mother that there was nothing to be concerned about that my scoliosis was mild and would go away by itself. let me tell you he was WRONG and screwed up my life. By the time I finally saw a specialist after much persuading and many visits back to my family doctor my scoliosis had progressed to 50 degrees and i was told immediately i needed surgery...which i was put on a waiting list for 8 months and was not operated on until my curve had reached 62 degrees. Take it from me....doctors are useless and you need to PUSH to get what you want from them....it's your granddaughter's future at stake and i personally wouldnt take the risk of not doing anything about it.