Looking for Advice

[kahminsens]

Hello, I am brand new to this website and I have been trying to gather as much information as possible but am still looking for any advice I can get. I was told I had scoliosis in June of 2006 when I saw a chiropractor because of severe back pain. Growing up I never even heard of scoliosis let alone knew that people had these sort of problems which is the only reason I can think of that I was not aware of it sooner. I have always had a relatively flat back and concaved chest but I just assumed this was natural and accepted it for what it was. My curve must have only recently started to progress since I have only now started to have back pain and discomfort. My chiropractor had xrays taken and from the looks of it (in June) I appeared to have a thoratic C curve (still new to these terms but I think that is correct). My chiropractor recommended that I perform exercises to strengthen muscles starting in my feet and working up the legs to the lower and eventually upper back--essentially retraining my muscles in an attempt to correct the curve. She claims that my scoliosis is "functional" and not "structural." Since speaking with her I have tried to work the exercises into my busy schedule of work and school (I am a 20 year old college student); but, admittedly, I haven't been very successful. I am starting to notice a slight recession now in the right side of my chest and my right shoulder blade juts out while my left one does not. I am now worried that the curve must be progressing. I am wondering now if my chiropractor was wrong and if I should be looking towards getting a spinecor brace. I am practically broke and really have no clue where to start. Is muscular retraining and/or physical therapy something I should continue to pursue? Should I seek a second opinion from a Doctor? Or does it sound like a spinecor brace is the way to go? Maybe I need all three? This all came pretty quickly and is a bit overwhelming and I need to find as frugal a solution as possible.

Any advice or information is greatly appreciated. Or simply a point in the right direction.

Thanks,
Aaron V

[LindaRacine]

Hi Aaron...

I always think it's a good idea to see an orthopaedist, just to be sure you have the correct diagnosis. You can find a list of scoliosis specialists here:

http://www.srs.org/directory/directory.asp

Regards,
Linda

[Janet]

[QUOTE=kahminsens] I am starting to notice a slight recession now in the right side of my chest and my right shoulder blade juts out while my left one does not.

I totally agree with Linda that you should try to obtain an opinion from a spine specialist, especially since you have recently noticed changes.

My right shoulder blade, but not my left, sticks way out and I have been diagnosed with Kyphosis, which is when a front-to-back spinal curve is seen when viewing from the side; in my case, my shoulder blade is being pushed out by the thoracic curvature. Scoliosis is the curve seen by looking at the spine when viewing from the back; I do not know if scoliosis also causes shoulder blades to stick out.

I understand that your finances don't allow much room for extra expenses, but I encourage you to see a spinal deformity specialist - it may be that you would be considered a "wait and see what happens" patient, but at least you will get a correct diagnosis. If surgery is recommended, note that many posts on this forum indicate that having surgery while still in 30's or younger is a lot easier than waiting till you are older, so unless you are told that you need surgery ASAP, you may have time to consider waiting until you are working for a place that has really good insurance.

ps: from my personal experience, most internists, general practitioners, etc. have no idea what treatment options are available for adults with spinal deformities; the "one size fits all" recommendation from them is to exercise to build up the core muscles, which is good advice anyway, but it will not stop progression of structural curves.