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  • Scared of Scoliosis

    hello everyone:

    I took my daughter to the ER for neck pain thinking it could be meningitis thank God it wasn't but while there I just happen to look at her lower back and I notice little bump on the lefth side (she was siting on the bed and bending over playing) the bump look more prominent when she'll bend over when the ER doctor came back I ask him about it, he gave a very general info on scoliosis and told me that it didn't look bad but to follow with her Peds doctor.
    I did an the pediatrician told me it look to her than the a 5 degree curvature and nothing to worry about they were going to take an X ray and keep an eye on it ...well...she called yesterday and told me my daughther spine has a 33 degree curvature in the form of an "S" we are supose to go tho see an especialist in Chapel Hill, NC and I'm very scared.
    can anyone tell me what is an s curvature if my daughter will need a brace and what questions or test i should ask the Doctor for?

  • #2
    Hi...

    Here are some good sights that will give you some very basic scoliosis knowledge in a relatively short format:

    http://www.pediatric-orthopedics.com...scoliosis.html
    http://www.medicineau.net.au/clinica...oskel2997.html
    http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/brochure/t...category=Spine

    If the measurement of 33 degrees is correct, and your daughter is still growing, I'm guessing that they'll recommend that she put into a brace immediately.

    S curves are usually two curves (a right thoracic curve, and a left lumbar curve). You'll find pictures and descriptions on the references I mentioned.

    It is scary to go through all of this, but you've found hundreds of patients and parents who have gone through a similar experience, and will be happy to help you get through it.

    Best of luck.

    Regards,
    Linda
    Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
    Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

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    • #3
      Welcome,

      Ditto what Linda said. You will find lots of families going through scoliosis treatment in various stages here. You are not alone.

      How old is your daughter? If she is very young (under 10) I would suggest you find a pediatric orthopedist who has extensive experience in treating very young children with scoliosis. Scoliosis is not common in little ones. There are some tests and things that are helpful in making sure there is no underlying cause for the scoliosis (i.e., full-spine MRI, renal tests to make sure the kidneys are functioning well, etc.).

      When you visit the ortho, you should learn more details about your daughter. You need to know if the scoliosis is idiopathic (meaning no bone malformations in the spine) or congenital (meaning there is at least one vertebrae that did not form correctly). Her treatment options will depend on the type of scoliosis she has.

      You may choose to ask specific questions about her condition. Write them down in priority order. Sometimes the docs don't have time to answer each and every one of the questions.

      Good luck and keep us posted.
      Carmell
      mom to Kara, idiopathic scoliosis, Blake 19, GERD and Braydon 14, VACTERL, GERD, DGE, VEPTR #137, thoracic insufficiency, rib anomalies, congenital scoliosis, missing coccyx, fatty filum/TC, anal stenosis, horseshoe kidney, dbl ureter in left kidney, ureterocele, kidney reflux, neurogenic bladder, bilateral hip dysplasia, right leg/foot dyplasia, tibial torsion, clubfoot with 8 toes, pes cavus, single umblilical artery, etc. http://carmellb-ivil.tripod.com/myfamily/

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      • #4
        salmatw,

        Your experience sounds familiar....my daughter was diagnosed at her 12 y.o. check-up and the family doctor said it didn't look bad but he sent us for x-rays just to be sure. Her x-rays showed a main curve of 36*! And yes, a diagnosis of Scoliosis is scary, but you've come to a great place.

        Linda and Carmell gave you great advice. I agree you'll want to write down your questions. I would suggest taking someone with you to the first appointment especially because the doctor will be throwing a lot of information at you and two people can remember better than one. Some terms you'll likely hear are: Risser scale-tells you how close to being skeletally mature your daughter is (they can tell this by x-raying the child's hand usually); Cobb angle-the way they measure the degree of Scoliosis; Lumbar, Thoracic or Cervical-all parts of the spine which just tells you where the Scoliosis is located.

        I hope this helps a little. Keep us posted.

        Mary Lou

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        • #5
          Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

          I really apreciated all your help and info, I'm making my list right now... my husband is in the military and will be deploying soon is just scary for me to have to go though this alone so thank you so much for your support...Right now I'm waiting on the referal for UNC Chape Hill I heard there is a great doctor the his name is Dr Campion with luck I'll be bale to schedule an appoiment next week ...Thanks againg for the info and the links I have been surfing the web for more. My daughter is 5 years old and a real trooper, she is the love of our lives and this was a blow but I know she'll be fine and with people like you around to give advise and be friends I think I'll survive ...Thanks and God Bless

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