New diagnosed 13yr. girl/ proactive mom needs info!!!

[Kimber Leigh]

My daughter was just diagnosed last week. All I have been told thus far is that she is at a 11. I am trying to get her into a specialist, but most say she only needs monitoring. Everything I have read says the earlier you begin treating this the better (especially if the patient is in their "prime development age"). I AM DEFINITELY WANTING TO BE PROACTIVE ON THIS!!!! If we know she is going to get worse, why wait until she does? Can she wear a brace, just not for the 18-23 hours, maybe 8-12? Also... she is VERY ACTIVE track, soccer, cheerleading, gymnastics. If she is not is pain is there any reason for her to stop any of these activities? I have read a lot about exercises, swimming and yoga (My favorite pasttime). Where can I find more about these?

[darcyhuff]

Okay, first you must relax. 11 is not a big deal, because I believe that you must be a 20 to wear a brace. Maybe it won't get worse, and maybe it will stop at 11. If she looks and feels fine, there is nothing to worry about (for a while, anyway).
I read that you enjoy yoga. My mom read on the Internet that yoga is very good for scoliosis. And I don't mean just once a week; do it everyday. It will help.
There is no reason to stop her from doing those activities right now. Just remind her to keep her back up straight. Her muscles might feel sore from it because she might not be used to it, but crouching can make it worse.

[Kimber Leigh]

Thanks Darcy. I don't mean to sound upset or crazy about this, and I don't think I am yet. I tend to be one of those people that faces challeges and problems with as much information as I can get my hands on. If I am frantic right now it is more in a serach for information rather than worry about my daughter's health. I feel bed for her ( if that is the right way to phrase it) because she just made the cheer squad and now she faces the possibility of having to quit. You are her age you may know what she is feeling. You both seem to be in VERY SIMILAR places in your diagnosis right now. Maybe the two of you should be talking. Best wishes to you and let us know what you learn at you doctor's appointment on the 23rd.

[Carmell]

Hi KimberLeigh,

I agree with Darcy - Please don't panic and start thinking your daughter will have to quit the activities she enjoys. I also understand that you, the parent, want to learn as much as possible. I'm the same way. I figure that as long as I know what to expect (good and bad) then I'll be able to handle the decision making time much better. For example, we found out that our third child was going to be born with several structural birth defects (including severe congenital scoliosis). I tried to learn as much as I possibly could before he was born so he would have the best medical care possible at birth. The docs all offered to allow me to deliver at my local hospital, then life-flight him to the children's hospital, if needed, and I flat out told them that was NOT an option. We chose to deliver at the hospital connected to the children's hospital. I'm so glad we did.

I believe you and your daughter will be just fine. Many orthos support exercise to keep the body/trunk as strong as possible to support the spine as much as possible. My teenage daughter has idiopathic scoliosis and did a lot of dancing. Dancing is a GREAT way to exercise and stay strong. Yoga and so many other things are great too. There is a video series of exercises specifically for scoliosis teenagers on the iscoliosis.com website.

Good luck in your research. I wish you the best.

[paiger]

I am 12 years old and im done growing.If your duater is pretty much through with all the growth spirts it shouldnt get to much worse.11 is barley any curve at all...i had a 26 and 18degee curve when i was born and i right before my surgery it was 62 and 58. So dont worry to much. If your dauter is worried or want someone to talk to thats been through everything [bracing and surgery] and is someone her age she can email me at lassygal1@yahoo.com

ill answer any questions either of you have!!