I have minor Scoliosis, and I read and post on the board only occasionally--usually when I'm having some type of problem, lol.
I hesitate posting since my curves are much smaller than most of yours on the board. I have problems with my small-degreed curves, so I super sympathize with all of you who have it so much worse than I do! <hugs>
So, risking sounding like a whiner, here I go!
My primary curve is 18-19 degrees (depending which dr. you ask), and is in my cervical region. I am short in stature, and you can visibly see (even though my curve is small!) that one of my shoulders is higher than the other. My left arm also hangs shorter than the other arm, and I often need to hem my blouse sleeves 1/2" -3/4" to accommodate it. Same thing with my leg--pants need to be hemmed about 1/2-3/4" shorter for my left leg.
My range in motion in my neck is limited, and I often get neck strain on that side, and shoulder pain radiating down throughout the shoulder blade, upper arm pain, etc.
Awhile back, I went to see an orthopedic surgeon who is a Scoliosis specialist. He treated me as though my issues were no big deal, and rx'd some anti-inflammatory meds. He was probably thinking something like, "This lady doesn't have it all that bad--most of my patients are much worse!" Yet if I'm having structural problems, it doesn't really matter how bad I have it compared to the person in the next examining room. My problems are still my problems!
While doing yoga, I realized that my range of motion problem were getting in the way of executing the stretches properly. I mentioned this to my
general practicitioner dr., and he recommended that I see a Physical Medicine specialist.
One of the first things the Physical Med doctor told me during the appointment is, "Scoliosis Doesn't Hurt."
PLEASE, SOMEONE, ENLIGHTEN ME!!
That doesn't make any sense to me! If Scoliosis causes a person's muscles to be stretched or tightened in a way that they aren't supposed to be, and then your range of motion is decreased--yet you try to use those muscles in a normal way, then of course it hurts!
I was so dumbfounded when she said this, that I didn't think to ask her to clarify the statement. There must be something I'm missing!
She rx'd muscle relaxers and physical therapy. I've been taking the muscle relaxers, but always feel guilty doing so--like maybe I should just tough-it-out since "Scoliosis doesn't hurt". The PT is helping my range of motion. Yes, I know it won't cure Scoliosis, but that's not my goal--my goal is to be able to move my left arm/shoulder close to the way that I can move my right arm/shoulder. But those PT copays are adding up...
I went for my re-check this week. Even though she phoned me with quick feed-back when my Xrays were received, I was thinking that she'd have them in the app't room and point out things on the Xrays (i.e. arthritis or whatever). She didn't. She asked me a couple questions, asked me to turn my head this way and that, and then flew out the door. She seems friendly enough, but doesn't spend much time during these follow-up visits. (Is that normal/what's to be expected?)
So, I'm wondering: Why do drs. keep saying that Scoliosis doesn't hurt?
dsal
Thanks,
dsal
I hesitate posting since my curves are much smaller than most of yours on the board. I have problems with my small-degreed curves, so I super sympathize with all of you who have it so much worse than I do! <hugs>
So, risking sounding like a whiner, here I go!
My primary curve is 18-19 degrees (depending which dr. you ask), and is in my cervical region. I am short in stature, and you can visibly see (even though my curve is small!) that one of my shoulders is higher than the other. My left arm also hangs shorter than the other arm, and I often need to hem my blouse sleeves 1/2" -3/4" to accommodate it. Same thing with my leg--pants need to be hemmed about 1/2-3/4" shorter for my left leg.
My range in motion in my neck is limited, and I often get neck strain on that side, and shoulder pain radiating down throughout the shoulder blade, upper arm pain, etc.
Awhile back, I went to see an orthopedic surgeon who is a Scoliosis specialist. He treated me as though my issues were no big deal, and rx'd some anti-inflammatory meds. He was probably thinking something like, "This lady doesn't have it all that bad--most of my patients are much worse!" Yet if I'm having structural problems, it doesn't really matter how bad I have it compared to the person in the next examining room. My problems are still my problems!
While doing yoga, I realized that my range of motion problem were getting in the way of executing the stretches properly. I mentioned this to my
general practicitioner dr., and he recommended that I see a Physical Medicine specialist.
One of the first things the Physical Med doctor told me during the appointment is, "Scoliosis Doesn't Hurt."
PLEASE, SOMEONE, ENLIGHTEN ME!!
That doesn't make any sense to me! If Scoliosis causes a person's muscles to be stretched or tightened in a way that they aren't supposed to be, and then your range of motion is decreased--yet you try to use those muscles in a normal way, then of course it hurts!
I was so dumbfounded when she said this, that I didn't think to ask her to clarify the statement. There must be something I'm missing!
She rx'd muscle relaxers and physical therapy. I've been taking the muscle relaxers, but always feel guilty doing so--like maybe I should just tough-it-out since "Scoliosis doesn't hurt". The PT is helping my range of motion. Yes, I know it won't cure Scoliosis, but that's not my goal--my goal is to be able to move my left arm/shoulder close to the way that I can move my right arm/shoulder. But those PT copays are adding up...
I went for my re-check this week. Even though she phoned me with quick feed-back when my Xrays were received, I was thinking that she'd have them in the app't room and point out things on the Xrays (i.e. arthritis or whatever). She didn't. She asked me a couple questions, asked me to turn my head this way and that, and then flew out the door. She seems friendly enough, but doesn't spend much time during these follow-up visits. (Is that normal/what's to be expected?)
So, I'm wondering: Why do drs. keep saying that Scoliosis doesn't hurt?
dsal
Thanks,
dsal
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