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  • How bad is my scoliosis ??

    Hey all, I'm new here, but I lurked around a long time. Finally I scooped up the courage to take photos of my back and ask the people here how bad it is. I'm 16 years old and very tall, almost 190 centimeters. I've been to the doctor once, and I've been assigned exercises which I don't do. Anyway, I took some photos of myself and I'd love if anybody would tell me, at least from their point of view, how bad is my scoliosis, you know, approximately how many degrees...

    That's my back right there, you can see the curve.

    http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/8530/pict2082tz6.jpg

    That's my back bended.

    http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6089/pict2083gw0.jpg

    Another photo of my bended back.

    http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/327/pict2085gw1.jpg

    This is a pretty clear photo of my curve.

    http://img436.imageshack.us/img436/8651/pict2086ri3.jpg

    Another pretty clear photo.

    http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8503/pict2088ij0.jpg

    Here's a photo of my kyphosis (I think it is kyphosis). Is it bad ??

    http://img436.imageshack.us/img436/9776/pict2091nb6.jpg

    And here's a photo of me in a shirt. You can see one shoulder is bigger than the other, and it's one of the main things that's bothering me. Is it really noticable ??

    http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/9528/pict2092mb2.jpg


    So yeah, I think I won't grow anymore and I hope the curve won't get bigger. But still, I'd like it if somebody told me if the curve is big enough for a brace or even surgery. Please reply soon, I need the answers !!

    Thanks in advance.

  • #2
    Hi Mechanixorama...

    There's really no way to know for certain without going to a specialist and having xrays taken. However, your curve looks really minor to me... probably less than 20 degrees.

    It looks to me like you're male. If that's true, you probably have two more years of growth, so you're not out of danger yet.

    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

    Comment


    • #3
      from what I can see, it's not big, it's really small, i couldn't notice it until the close up, but still barely. I don' tthink that you'll find anyone to brace you, at this point. if it grows signifigantly, then maybe. It depends on the doctor. Did you get xrayed at all?
      35T 54L rotation
      3rd TLSO brace
      shoe lift
      trunk shift,pelvic shift
      waiting for surgery!

      Comment


      • #4
        The only way to know is to see an orthopedic specialist, and get evaluated. Is it your regular doctor that is recommending exercises? Exercises are great for your health and physical well being. The studues show that exercising will NOT affect the progression of a curve, however what they will do is maintain or increase the flexibility of your back. This may in turn improve the the degree of correction of the curve with surgery should it be needed.

        You definitely need to be evaluated by a specialist. There are numerous stories of kids who had not been taken to a specialist when they should have, and when they were, it was when their curves were often severe. Regardless of whether you are a boy or girl, your growth may not yet have finished which means that it's possible that your curve is not yet considered stable (it can still progress). If you read through stories either here or at the Spinekids site you'll see that it's not unusual for kids to get diagnosed at 16.

        Comment


        • #5
          Wow. I was really waiting to "see" something but compared to me?

          What you want from x-rays is degrees. Until you are done growing, the x-rays will show the degrees, for example, are they stable or growing.

          You definitely want to see an expert or at least get a second opinion.

          About the exercises, did you get them from a Physical Therapist???

          And you don't do them because... they are boring, or you resent having to do them, or you have discovered the JOY of adrenalin and exercise?

          I am a fitness instructor or rather I was until I decided to close that chapter but I would be a different person without exercise. Do you like music? All you need is inspiration to work out! If you could just find your passion for it, and make it your own gig. You can think about what a young man might be thinking about, such as becoming strong, sporting pecs and biceps.

          That would certainly be a distraction from scoli. I think fear is a poor poor motivator. If you can find someone to workout wth it's a lot more fun and you are sure to keep doing it. Don't like your school? Find a YMCA. YMCAs also have "scholarships" for any child in need.

          You are so lucky to be a boy when I was raised in an era where sports and exercise for girls was still questionable as to "long term effects" yada and so on. I find it a small victory to have gone on to become a Fitness Instructor and not until I was about 40.

          My whole outlook on life is different post-workout. I am friendly, more outgoing, carefree and I feel this sense of power of having done my workout. I started out with 3 lb weights and worked my way up to 10. I got to take a class from a former NFL footplayer called Athletic Conditioning ++ It was tough but I not only progressed but went on to teach it. Now before you think I am a rah rah girl and just can't understand... I have some bad habits.

          I think you are brave to post your pictures. Welcome from out of the closet. You will find many kindred spirits here. How did you find out you had scoliosis or kyphosis? And no, I don't most people would notice so stop worrying. We scoli kids have a hard time with self-image. It's like having a pimple on your face and thinking EVERYONE notices and maybe you shouldn't out that day.

          My back, to those in the know, is much more noticeable that your own. For two years at the YMCA, I was a fitness instructor, a representative or health and fitness, not scoliosis. I have worked at companies for ten years as their "image" ... a recruiting representative. If I look great what do you think you look like? Nobody noticed, understand?

          See a specialist, get some x-rays and get the monkey off your back. btw, x-rays should show where you are in the growth process but no one can know when you will stop growing. You are not in my situation where I was in a brace, waiting to find out when I could get out. My surgery therefore in my case, was mentally merciful. Wow 9 months in a cast? Great!
          Last edited by ck43; 10-26-2006, 10:16 PM.
          Traction at 13, body cast 1 mos., Milwaukee, first plastic (severe allergy, abdomen skin burst, watery) then leather. Harrington Rod @ 15, 9 mos body cast, hips up. 9 more mos being careful and protective. Degenerated disc C4-5 I think well above the rod. Degenerated disc below the rod now? Probably.

          Comment


          • #6
            Mech...


            How did you find out you had scoliosis ? You haven't seen an orthopaedic surgeon have you ? Clinically I don't see a deformity but that could always change with further growth or as you age.

            I don't think any girl would notice a problem, in fact when I first started dating my husband ( not the first date ) I noticed that his belly button was off centre and I thought to myself *wow, that's different* but then he had so many other things going for him that I quickly forgot about the belly button.

            Canadian eh
            Daughter, Deirdre born Oct 2000. Diagnosed with 60 degree curve at the age of 19 months. Serial casting by Dr. Hedden at Sick Kid's Hospital. Currently being treated by Dr. Rivard and Dr. Coillard in Montreal with the Spinecor brace and curve is holding at "2" degrees. Next appointment 2008

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Celia Vogel
              Clinically I don't see a deformity but that could always change with further growth or as you age.
              Celia...

              He definitely has a small mid- to low-thoracic curve as seen here:

              http://img436.imageshack.us/img436/8651/pict2086ri3.jpg

              --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

              Comment


              • #8
                Like the others have said it looks like you have a mild curve. Probably in the 20 degree range. Your back looks similar to mine. I didn't find out about my scoliosis til I was an adult and had an x-ray taken for TB when I started my new job. I have a thoracolumbar curve measured in the 20 degree range with a very mild rib hump. Best to get an x-ray from your family doctor or a pediatric ortho and they can decide whether or not you need any treatment for it.
                Linda
                Mom to Hunter (10 yrs old), status post posterior spinal fusion T1-sacrum 7/24/06 w/spastic quad CP

                Comment


                • #9
                  Well, I did see a doctor like a year ago, and I got ordered to a special exercise program in my local hospital. After 5 months of doing exercises there I didn't have to go there anymore and got ordered to do those exercises at home. But I didn't do them. Should I start ? Thanks for making me feel better )

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    It does not look as bad yet. However, don't let it get any worse. Start doing something about it NOW. I have three curves, the worst being in my middle back at 90 degrees. I cannot have the surgery because of a lung condition I have. I have to do yoga stretching for the rest of my life in order to keep my back straight. I wish that my back were like yours again. At least it's flatter. It looks that way, anyways. Good luck with whatever treatment method you decide to pursue.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      If you've been told you have scoliosis you should get an appointment with a specialist. As an aside your back doesn't really look deformed but you should get it checked if your worried.

                      I've noticed that in the bending pictures your back appears to straighten out. This may mean that you do not have a true scoliosis. Again it's only a scoliosis specialist that can deal properly with this disorder.
                      Last edited by Frosty; 11-01-2006, 03:35 AM.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        It might be only mild now but if you're still growing, which you likely are as you don't look fully grown yet and a 16 year old boy usually grows a few more years, then your curve may develop more. My curve grew from 50 to 62 degrees in 8 months as I was growing. Get your family doctor to get an xray and they can tell you the degree of the curvature. If its less than 20 degrees they likely wont do anything but monitor it.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          heya!!

                          Hi,
                          to be honest it really doesnt look like u have scoliosis mine got to 65 degrees on top and 55 on bottom!!!it got really noticible!!so dont worry!!!get it checked out and relax!!it wil be ok!!
                          16 year old getting ready for more surgery

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Alexis

                            Originally posted by Mechanixorama
                            Hey all, I'm new here, but I lurked around a long time. Finally I scooped up the courage to take photos of my back and ask the people here how bad it is. I'm 16 years old and very tall, almost 190 centimeters. I've been to the doctor once, and I've been assigned exercises which I don't do. Anyway, I took some photos of myself and I'd love if anybody would tell me, at least from their point of view, how bad is my scoliosis, you know, approximately how many degrees...

                            That's my back right there, you can see the curve.

                            http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/8530/pict2082tz6.jpg

                            That's my back bended.

                            http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6089/pict2083gw0.jpg

                            Another photo of my bended back.

                            http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/327/pict2085gw1.jpg

                            This is a pretty clear photo of my curve.

                            http://img436.imageshack.us/img436/8651/pict2086ri3.jpg

                            Another pretty clear photo.

                            http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8503/pict2088ij0.jpg

                            Here's a photo of my kyphosis (I think it is kyphosis). Is it bad ??

                            http://img436.imageshack.us/img436/9776/pict2091nb6.jpg

                            And here's a photo of me in a shirt. You can see one shoulder is bigger than the other, and it's one of the main things that's bothering me. Is it really noticable ??

                            http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/9528/pict2092mb2.jpg


                            So yeah, I think I won't grow anymore and I hope the curve won't get bigger. But still, I'd like it if somebody told me if the curve is big enough for a brace or even surgery. Please reply soon, I need the answers !!

                            Thanks in advance.
                            Hey.. i seen the pictures they are really not that bad i didnt see your back curved that much exercises are great like volly ball or tennis. dont feel bad because i have 19 degrees on the top bone and 45 degrees in the middle. good luck! -alexis

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Hey

                              With physical therapy you should be able to get your musles relaxed and less back pain. I just started i have had 3 visits and i like it!!
                              Mák Veronika
                              14 yr.o. girl 9th grade
                              40T
                              54L
                              +rotation
                              Boston Brace since December 2005
                              Location in Florida

                              I play flute.
                              I LOVE ROCK!!!!!

                              Comment

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