Bothersome Deformity

[Canti]

I'm a 22 year old male and I have mild scoliosis (an S curve with the worst curve being 25 degrees). I recently went to an ortho doctor to get checked out to see if I could do anything about it, but the doctor told me I was too old for bracing and my scoliosis wasn't bad enough for surgery in his opinion.

My scoliosis doesn't cause me any pain, just discomfort. It has deformed my rib cage so much that I'm extremely self concious about it and my ribs feel like they're trying to tear through my skin when I stand up straight. Also, It's nearly impossible for me to gain muscle on most of my left torso (I'm not entirely sure how this works) and I work out 3 times a week so I look a little odd with one side bigger than the other when I have my shirt off. I started working out simply because I wanted to hide my rib deformity.

I do admit that I really want to be treated mainly because of the cosmetic issue but my doctor told me my spine wasn't going to go anywhere and I should just go live my life.

Should I go get a second opinion or is every doctor going to tell me the same thing? Is there a treatment option that I'm just not seeing? All I can think of is surgery and that seems a bit extreme, but I'd do it, that's just how much it bothers me.

[Lab Dog]

The info your doc gave you is pretty standard. If your 25 degree curve had been found when you were still growing, the purpose of bracing would be to stabilize it. He may feel it has stabilized, but you really need a longer-term series of xrays to be certain of that. No reason not to get a second opinion.

A couple of men who posted here said that they did not recommend body building to help scoliosis. I believe one guy felt that the extra upper body mass may have caused his curve progression. The exercise programs that we have had recommended are swimming, Pilates, and yoga. I bought a "Yoga For Scoliosis" DVD that has excellent info and poses specially tuned for people with scolisis for pain relief and better posture.

My brother-in-law, an exercise physiologist, would agree with the trainer that lifting weights should be done in a balanced manner. He also says there is a big difference between strength training and body building. People with back problems in general need to focus on weight control and strong core and back muscles.

[Karen Ocker]

Was this a scoliosis specialist,who treats adults, who measured your curve?
A mild curve is usaually not so deforming as you described.

[Canti]

Ah, yes, he's an ortho surgeon who specializes in spine surgery. I do know that it's the lumbar region that's 25 degrees.. I believe the thoratic curve is the one that really starts to mess with the ribs.

I'm really not positive that the 25 degree curve is the worst one, I just assumed he picked the worst one to measure. He measured right in front of me and it was hard for me to tell which one was worse even with the xrays right in front of me so I guess it's possible that the thoratic curve could be worse or in the same range.. either way, it's definitely pretty bad, some of the ribs on my left side are overlapping the others which makes it look like it's jutting out, and my torso has the whole "K" look going on from the lack of muscles on one side.

I'm looking into getting a second opinion from another specialist near Tampa, Florida.

[mcm]

I am in a similar boat as you. I have mild kyphosis (don't know the exact measurement) and mild scoliosis (17 degrees). I'm very self-conscious, particularly about the kyphosis which I feel is extremely unattractive. My curves were monitored when I was growing but the orthopedist never recommended bracing. Now that I'm 22 and finished growing, it's too late to intervene unless I have surgery, and it seems that no doctor will recommend surgery because it would be purely cosmetic in my case (I am in no pain). It is something to think about very seriously, because spine surgery is serious surgery that can have grave complications and takes a while to recover from.

I know that I have muscle imbalance related to my scoliosis--I lift weights to try to improve my physique (I'm a girl so I don't do much in terms of "bodybuilding") and certain upper body exercises cause pain in my shoulders because my shoulders aren't straight. It's aggravating. The kyphosis is a separate issue that makes it impossible to do push-ups with proper form. It's frustrating all around because I will never have great form during my work-outs simply because my spine is out of whack.

I want to add that even though your scoliosis curve is not severe, you are experiencing discomfort from it if you feel like your ribs are tearing through your skin when you try to stand up straight. It seems like this might be reason enough for surgery.

So, I have no advice for you, just sympathy. My back has wreaked havoc on my self-esteem ever since elementary school and I often think about surgery, but I don't know if I could find a doctor willing to do it, and I worry about undertaking a dangerous surgery for cosmetic purposes. What I do know is that having a normal spine would improve my life IMMENSELY.

[Karen Ocker]

Pain is not the only indication for surgery; not everyone with large curves has pain--but will sooner or later.

Documented progression of the curves IS an indication for surgery in adults. Minor curves usually don't even show so if a back is becoming unsightly then a scoliosis specialist should monitor/measure it.

If your curves do not progress there are many alternatives to inprove function and reduce pain. There are many forum members describing their success with these.

[Sharon D.]

Spinecor

My 22 year old son is having great success with the Spinecor brace. It's improved his posture and solved his intense pain issues.

[iggystar]

I understand and appreciate all of the helpful medical suggestions that are posted here...I also understand what the OP is getting at.

Scoliosis has completely wrecked my self-esteem to the point of obsession...you should see how I look at ladies with low-backed outfits, I'm practically drooling.

I cannot offer any suggestions, just to say, I get you...completely.

[mcm]

I understand and appreciate all of the helpful medical suggestions that are posted here...I also understand what the OP is getting at.

Scoliosis has completely wrecked my self-esteem to the point of obsession...you should see how I look at ladies with low-backed outfits, I'm practically drooling.

I cannot offer any suggestions, just to say, I get you...completely.

I completely understand. It sounds horrible, but I'm insanely jealous of people with normal backs.

Also, does anyone else with kyphosis notice that your clothes don't fit right right? Shirts never hang right on me. They're always longer in the back than in the front, as though my back and spine are shorter than than they should be (which is probably the case). When I try to straighten my spine, my shirt doesn't hug my lower back the way it would on a normal person. It's very frustrating.

[iggystar]

I completely understand. It sounds horrible, but I'm insanely jealous of people with normal backs.

Yes! Those backless dresses and girls in bikinis...they don't even appreciate what they have (but most people do know what they have til it's gone, that's a fact of life)

And sometimes people who complain about stuff like a few extra pounds that can be lost I just sigh. Granted, we all have things that could be worst, but my self-image about my back has taken its toll over the years.

I mean you have women who go through surgery for bigger boobs because of self-image. I just want a straight spine.

[mcm]

Yes! Those backless dresses and girls in bikinis...they don't even appreciate what they have (but most people do know what they have til it's gone, that's a fact of life)

And sometimes people who complain about stuff like a few extra pounds that can be lost I just sigh. Granted, we all have things that could be worst, but my self-image about my back has taken its toll over the years.

I mean you have women who go through surgery for bigger boobs because of self-image. I just want a straight spine.

I hear ya, loud and clear! Yes, a few extra pounds can be lost, but a crooked spine.... no amount of willpower is going to fix that. Even my mother, though she's become overweight later in life and is self-conscious about it, has always had a straight spine... she doesn't know what it's like for me.

I will occasionally appear in public in a bikini, but I try to avoid it. I'm completely happy with how I look from the front, but in side view, it's simply awful. Back view isn't great either because my spine sticks out a little and sometimes gets bruised and cut if I've been leaning against a hard chair all day. But from the side.... I just look awful. I can't correct the deformity, no matter how hard I try.

Girls probably think I'm a lesbian checking them out. I've been obsessed with checking out other people's posture since I first became conscious of my deformity as a kid. Most of the time I just sigh with jealousy. But once in a while I spot someone else like me.

[iggystar]

Me and you need to create our own support group. For all of the wonderful information on these boards I could write a book on the emotional side of having scoliosis. For so many years the thought of a man seeing me naked would just bring this overwhelming sense of dread. One of my boyfriends, early on, I told about my curve and he was like, "Why would I not want you because of that...?" It's not the worst thing, like I've said, but it has really bothered me over the years. I actually get stiff if I'm hugging someone or dancing with them just worrying about them touching my hump.

I've gotten a little better with my self image and you, you will wear a bikini! I mean that is so great. I used to feel self-conscious in any form fitting shirt, swimsuit, whatever. Then I realized people weren't looking at me that hard.

Back in my 20's I considered surgery mainly because of the way my back looked, but realized how invasive the surgery is. Now that I'm actually having physical complications and paid I'm considering surgery, but I'd be lying if some kind of correction to be more asthetically pleasing isn't on my mind as well.

[PaulZ]

Totally sympathise with you all. My scoliosis was first diagnosed at the age of 14, it progressively got worse and at 24 I had a 2 stage procedure with Harrington rod instrumentation. Now at the age of 39 (40 in a couple of weeks ) the whole thing still sucks!! A day doesn’t go by without me thinking about it and how uncomfortable/unnatural I feel. I bang my head sometimes getting in and out of cars, bang my head or get stuck getting under worktops etc to carry out DIY, can’t roll properly in be and have to hitch my whole body to stop me falling out and then there’s the pain issues.
I’m always conscious about my posture and I know what you mean that you find yourself starring at other people analysing there posture and just wishing yours was somewhere close.
I very rarely go shirtless (I’m male) as I’m very conscious of this unnatural looking “poker spine” of mine and I can’t be bothered with all the questions about the scars etc. In actual fact when I have been asked about my back I’d rather fabricate some story about a bogus accident I’ve had than admit to this freaky condition called scoliosis.
Another issue I do have is that I think due to my parents ignorance the condition was actually self induced, but proving this would probably be impossible. I’ve never had this out with them and maybe never will because at there time of life it’s probably not fair but then being left with basically a lifetime of this scoliosis crap isn’t fair either .
I cannot think of one good thing about having scoliosis .

Keep safe all,

Paul.

[RugbyLaura]

Paul, I'm so sorry to hear about how difficult you find life with Scoliosis. I worry for my daughter in the future, already (just 10) she has said "There's no point in shopping for Summer clothes anymore". Have you visited the UK forum www.scoliosis-support.org? You might find some local support & friendship.

By the way, being 40 is a breeze. I still feel 20, just don't look in the mirror during daylight hours!

Laura

[PaulZ]

Paul, I'm so sorry to hear about how difficult you find life with Scoliosis. I worry for my daughter in the future, already (just 10) she has said "There's no point in shopping for Summer clothes anymore". Have you visited the UK forum www.scoliosis-support.org? You might find some local support & friendship.

By the way, being 40 is a breeze. I still feel 20, just don't look in the mirror during daylight hours!

Laura

Thanks for the link Laura. I was aware of the site and followed it for a while but only just got round to signing up. You'll see me on there as "Hans", hope you like my avatar .
I hope things work out ok for your daughter and I'm sure like most of us she'll take the rough with the smooth, it's just that somedays the rough is rough

all the best,

Paul.