New Here! Lots of Questions :-)

[rwagner]

Hello! My name is Rebecca. I was diagnosed with scoliosis when in 2002 when I was 16 with a 40* thoratic curve and 25* lumbar curve. In 2006 my scoliosis progressed to a 52* thoratic curve and the lumbar curve stayed the same. Over the past couple years, I have noticed that the pain is getting considerably worse. Plus my grandmother has severe scoliosis at 90*, and I am worried that mine will progress similarly. I just recently had new x-rays done, but the results are very confusing. The radiologist said that both curves are now 28*. I am finding this hard to believe that my thoratic curve has actually decreased by 24* considering it is more painful than ever, and my ribs in the back are starting to stick out. I have photos of my x-rays. Does this look like a 28* curve? I am not looking for an "official" opinion or anything, just some friendly advice. My doctor didnt know what to make of the discrepancies and told me to see a specialist, and said "either way it looks bad."
Thanks in advance for any help or advice :-)
I have attached my most recent xrays

xrays.clinic1.jpg
xray2.clinic1.jpg
xray1.hosp.jpg
xray2.hosp.jpg

[Kat3573]

It looks like around 30-40 my first dray was 46* so this is definitely not higher than that IMO/view

[rohrer01]

First of all welcome, Rebecca.

Which x-rays are the new ones? The top set looks worse than the bottom set. I've also had discrepancies in measurements. Look at my signature. I was diagnosed with about the same as you at the same age. Different doctors concurred on the stated measurements, including the doctor that "suddenly" measured all of my x-rays at 42*. How can all of the doctors be wrong, including the one who changed his mind? The 46* measurement was done by my current doc and Dr. Hey. They both got the exact same measurement with half a degree. Suddenly it's better? I don't think so. My pain is also worse. Surgery isn't always the answer for pain, though. In my case I think it would make things worse because part of my neck would have to be fused at this point in the game.

I hope you get things figured out. Please let us know.

[LindaRacine]

Hi...

The xrays were all taken within the last few months, which is a bit odd. The curve definitely looks worse in the older one, but since none of the xrays are full spine, it's really difficult to know what's going on. I agree with hdugger, and recommend that you find a good scoliosis specialist.

Regards,
Linda

[rohrer01]

Okay, I looked at the dates on the x-rays. Why did you have two sets taken less than one month apart?
I'm wondering if you see a specialist if s/he won't want a new set just because these look so different and aren't full spine x-rays. I think the full spine will tell more of the story. There's lots of good advice on here about where to find a specialist. Please do that, especially if you are noticing physical changes in your body and increasing pain. Scoliosis isn't just a side to side curve. It can also twist the spine, thus the rib hump. Your doctor will also want a sagittal view (side view) to see how things look from that angle. I hope you find the answer to what is really going on with you.

[rwagner]

Hello! Thank you everyone for your help and advice. I am so happy that I found somewhere to talk about scoliosis. I went to the Scoliosis Research Society website and made an appointment with Dr. Montgomery from Oakland Orthopedics in Michigan for May 15th. He specializes in adult scoliosis, and I am anxious to see him and address the problems Im having. I am mostly concerned about what is changing in my spine and the possibility of progression. After I was diagnosed with a 12* progression in 2006, I didnt seek out surgery as my doctor suggested because I became pregnant and decided to put my scoliosis issues on the back burner. Well now Im finally getting the courage to get back in control of what is happening to my body. I had two sets of x-rays done in such a short span because the first set was done at my doctor's office wasnt very clear, and the dr didnt know what to make of the discrepancies in the measurements of the previous diagnosis, so she sent me to the hospital to have clearer x-rays done, though I agree with the other posters that none of them show the entire spine, so it is difficult to analyze. It is frustrating not knowing what could have changed in my spine from 2006-2013. Because of the increasing pain, I have limited physical activity/exercise. I havent done any exercises or physical therapy during this time for my back, and I am wondering how it could have straightened nearly 24* on its own. From looking at the hospital's x-rays i think my spine is also twisted.

[Irina]

Hello! Thank you everyone for your help and advice. I am so happy that I found somewhere to talk about scoliosis. I went to the Scoliosis Research Society website and made an appointment with Dr. Montgomery from Oakland Orthopedics in Michigan for May 15th. He specializes in adult scoliosis, and I am anxious to see him and address the problems Im having. I am mostly concerned about what is changing in my spine and the possibility of progression. After I was diagnosed with a 12* progression in 2006, I didnt seek out surgery as my doctor suggested because I became pregnant and decided to put my scoliosis issues on the back burner. Well now Im finally getting the courage to get back in control of what is happening to my body. I had two sets of x-rays done in such a short span because the first set was done at my doctor's office wasnt very clear, and the dr didnt know what to make of the discrepancies in the measurements of the previous diagnosis, so she sent me to the hospital to have clearer x-rays done, though I agree with the other posters that none of them show the entire spine, so it is difficult to analyze. It is frustrating not knowing what could have changed in my spine from 2006-2013. Because of the increasing pain, I have limited physical activity/exercise. I havent done any exercises or physical therapy during this time for my back, and I am wondering how it could have straightened nearly 24* on its own. From looking at the hospital's x-rays i think my spine is also twisted.

Hi Rebecca,

I am not a pro at reading x-rays, but I am not sure that your spine is twisted. You can see see roundish or oval white dots in the center of each vertebra on your pictures. One of the doctors told me that if you see these roundish spots, it means no rotation. I had huge rotation with very disfiguring rib hump (not anymore!!! :-) and the doctor pointed out that you can only see these oval spots in the cervical area of my spine and they were invisible everywhere else, which meant rotation. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Pooka1]

Hi. I will throw in a guess about the two sets of radiographs.

Those were only about 2 weeks apart and yet appear to be quite different. I think you must have been standing at an angle on the one with the smaller-appearing curve.

It is very important to avoid non-experienced people for scoliosis radiographs. An expert will want a correct set I am assuming making sure the whole spine is imaged and that you are standing exactly perpendicular to the beam.

[debbei]

Yes going to a specialist makes a big difference. Who read the xrays when they said you went to 52 degrees? None of those xrays looked 52 degrees in my opinion. Good luck with your appointment.

[mashkine]

Hello, I also find it strange that the top xray is so much worse if it was taken a month earlier. Were they both standing or supine? The difference can be quite large on your curves between standing and lying down.
Either way, even the top one is nowhere near 52 degrees, looks not more than 45 to me, but please do take both of them for measurement before making any conclusion.
You said you went through a pregnancy, that could affect your curves, as any weight gain can.
Also - "it looks bad" sounds like not much of a diagnosis to me... ask the next doctor about rotation, any vertebral misalignment, and lateral lean - these things contribute to muscle asymmetry and pain.
Did your grandmother have surgery? Is she in pain?