Questions for everyone?

[amme]

Other than some lower back pain which my doc says looks like i have arthritis and this hip pain i'm feeling which may or may not be related to the scoliosis, I have been blessed compared to many.

For the most part I've had absolutely no problems. Because i've been great i haven't followed up with scoliosis specialist and i'm wondering does everyone see someone on a regular basis to check your back or do you wait until you're hurting or feeling something wrong.

My bigger problem is I don't have a scoli doc anymore, I had my surgery as a kid in children's hospital in philly my doc told me i could come back no matter how old i was he would follow me if i needed him and i did go back once about 17 years ago when i took a really bad fall but he told me eventually he was retiring. Well he's retired, where should I go? Anyone know a great doc in the NJ/Philly area (not NYC i live in SJersey)

Thanks.

[LindaRacine]

Hi...

There's really no reason to follow up if you're not having any issues. If you start having significant pain or other symptoms, that would be a good time to see someone.

Regards,
Linda

[SIsForSarah]

Hi Emma,

We had our surgeries about the same time (mine was in 1990) and I too haven't been getting regular check-ups for my scoliosis. I was told I wouldn't need it as well. I hurt my lower back lifting something about 10 years ago, and was sent for an x-ray just to make sure my hardware was in place. I was then sent for physical therapy, recovered and never saw a specialist. About a year ago I hurt my lower back again and this time the CT scan showed a herniated disc pushing on a nerve, so I was given a referral to a back specialist. He was able to answer all of my questions about both the scoliosis (nothing has changed, so I don't need to worry about it) and the disc. Again, physical therapy has been working for me, so I've avoided surgery.

I've read that you don't need to see a specialist if you have no pain, but it is a good idea to get an X-ray every ten years or so, just to make sure everything is still where it should be.

My suggestion would be to get a referral to a back specialist in your area if you are having pain. You will probably also need to get an x-ray and a CT scan or MRI before seeing the specialist. If your pain is indeed related to scoliosis and the specialist you see does not work in that area, I'm sure he/she could give you a referral to a scoliosis specialist. You may find like me though, that the pain isn't related and the specialist will give you tips he/she would give anyone with back pain.

BTW, I also had some hip pain and it turned out to be referred pain from my herniated disc. Just something to consider - hip pain doesn't always come from the hips.

Good luck in your search for answer!

[amme]

Thank you Linda and SisforSarah.