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  • Not Exactly Sure What To Do

    So I'm a college student who will be turning 19 in about a month. My scoliosis was first discovered the summer before my freshman year in high school. I had 2 30 degree curves which formed an S. I then wore a brace at night for the next 2 years. My doctor told me I could stop wearing the brace because I was finished growing. The curves in my spine grew to 40 degrees each but he wasn't too worried about it. Since then I have been experiencing back pain quite frequently. It is even worse since I am a college student. I spend time taking tests and performing labs which require me to be looking down at a desk for an extended period of time. This usually creates alot of pain and stiffness in my back and neck. My curves are not bad enough to warrant surgery, not that I would want it anyway, so I am looking for other ways to deal with the pain i believe is caused by my scoliosis. Any suggestions?

  • #2
    Hi. Welcome!

    When was the last time you had x-rays? At 40*, some doctors do consider doing surgery especially with pain. Are you aware that some people's curves do progress even after they are done growing? I'd start by seeing an orthopedic doctor who specializes in Scoliosis and see what he/she has to say. Good luck.

    Mary Lou
    Mom to Jamie age 21-diagnosed at age 12-spinal fusion 12/7/2004-fused from T3-L2; and Tracy age 19, mild Scoliosis-diagnosed at age 18.

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    • #3
      As I understand it, the entire list of back maladies that occurs in non-scoliosis cases can occur in scoliosis cases. Therefore you may have something that requires surgery beyond the scoliosis. That is, people without scoliosis get all kinds of back pain, some requiring surgery. Just because you have scoliosis doesn't mean you don't have other issues that are causing your pain. So whether or not your curves are sub-surgical, you might consider getting a few opinions from orthopedic surgeons.

      Good luck.
      Last edited by Pooka1; 03-18-2009, 06:49 AM.
      Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

      No island of sanity.

      Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
      Answer: Medicine


      "We are all African."

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      • #4
        have you tried any yoga, pilates, PT, massage, etc. to help with the pain and stiffness?

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        • #5
          Scoliosis pain

          Good morning everyone, I also have a double lumbar scoliosis with degenerative disc disease, and a forward postured neck. I can totally relate to the pain that you are going through!!! My question is how do you find a good specialist? I live in Ontario Canada, and we have been trying to have a specialist see me for the past three years to no avail. I was not born with these problems, I developed all of this after a severe fall. If anyone has any advice on how to get an appointment with a good specialist I would greatly appreciate any and all suggestions. Thanks, Patty.

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          • #6
            Try using a heating pad on your back while you are studying. Heat helps me a great deal. My daughter is a college sophomore and had surgery 4 years ago. She sits against a heating pas in the evening while studying to help ease her sore muscles. The yoga suggestion is good. Try laying on your stomach and prop up on your elbows or hands (cobra postion). THis reverses the stress of leaning forward at a desk.
            T12- L5 fusion 1975 - Rochester, NY
            2002 removal of bottom of rod and extra fusion
            3/1/11 C5-C6 disc replacement
            Daughter - T7 - L3 fusion 2004

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