Hi. I am new to this forum and would like to say how helpful and informative it has been for me during the last week. I am hoping to get some feedback and suggestions as my 15 year old daughter was just diagnosed with what I think is a mild or moderate scoliosis, but there are many things that don't add up.
Michelle is a very active high school freshman - cheerleader, lacrosse player and competitive dancer (tap, jazz, ballet and modern). Last spring, she told me that she thought her back was "crooked" and that it might be scoliosis. I dismissed her because she gets screened twice a year (at pediatrician's office and school) and no one had ever raised a concern about it. I thought it was poor posture. Several weeks before Christmas, Michelle began to complain about back pain. I took her to my chiropractor, who on looking at her back, asked me if she had ever been diagnosed with scoliosis. When I said no, he was skeptical, but suggested that we try some adjustments before taking an x-ray. On New Year's Eve, after several adjustments with no pain relief, he took an x-ray which did show a curve in Michelle's spine. He suggested that we see a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. We are very lucky to live in Western Massachusetts near the Shriners Hospital in Springfield and he made a referral. We see Dr. Mack at Shriners on January 22. I also made an immediate appointment with Michelle's pediatrician who ordered another set of x-rays. I should mention that when the pediatrician examined Michelle, she still did not think that it was scoliosis. Three hours later, she called me at work and confirmed the scoliosis diagnosis! The radiologist's report said that Michelle has a "smooth reverse C-shaped scoliosis of the thoraco lumbar spine centered at T12 convex left, estimated to be 25 degrees.
Here is what I don't understand:
First, everything I have read about idiopathic scoliosis says that in adolescents, it usually occurs around the time of a growth spurt. My daughter began her periods at 10 years old. She is 4' 9 1/4" and has not grown in two years. In 2005, she had a bone age x-ray of her wrist which confirmed that she was almost fully grown. She did grow 3/4" that year but has not grown since.
Second, Michelle is in pain. Is a 25 degree scoliosis usually painful? Could an unknown injury cause a curve?
Third, and maybe I am doing too much surfing on the net, but Michelle also has complained of headaches very frequently during the last year or so. She even had a cat scan which turned up negative. I became familiar with Chiari malformation on this website and I wonder if there is a connection........
I guess I have blabbed enough but I am very confused and scared that there may be something else wrong. I also feel very guilty that I never had Michelle checked last spring when she first complained about being "crooked". I would really appreciate any insights or suggestions from the forum. It would really help us during our appointment at the Shriners Hospital.
Oh, I forgot to mention that Michelle was adopted at birth (the happiest day of our lives!!!!) and we have zero medical history.
Thank you all for listening.
Lisa
Michelle is a very active high school freshman - cheerleader, lacrosse player and competitive dancer (tap, jazz, ballet and modern). Last spring, she told me that she thought her back was "crooked" and that it might be scoliosis. I dismissed her because she gets screened twice a year (at pediatrician's office and school) and no one had ever raised a concern about it. I thought it was poor posture. Several weeks before Christmas, Michelle began to complain about back pain. I took her to my chiropractor, who on looking at her back, asked me if she had ever been diagnosed with scoliosis. When I said no, he was skeptical, but suggested that we try some adjustments before taking an x-ray. On New Year's Eve, after several adjustments with no pain relief, he took an x-ray which did show a curve in Michelle's spine. He suggested that we see a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. We are very lucky to live in Western Massachusetts near the Shriners Hospital in Springfield and he made a referral. We see Dr. Mack at Shriners on January 22. I also made an immediate appointment with Michelle's pediatrician who ordered another set of x-rays. I should mention that when the pediatrician examined Michelle, she still did not think that it was scoliosis. Three hours later, she called me at work and confirmed the scoliosis diagnosis! The radiologist's report said that Michelle has a "smooth reverse C-shaped scoliosis of the thoraco lumbar spine centered at T12 convex left, estimated to be 25 degrees.
Here is what I don't understand:
First, everything I have read about idiopathic scoliosis says that in adolescents, it usually occurs around the time of a growth spurt. My daughter began her periods at 10 years old. She is 4' 9 1/4" and has not grown in two years. In 2005, she had a bone age x-ray of her wrist which confirmed that she was almost fully grown. She did grow 3/4" that year but has not grown since.
Second, Michelle is in pain. Is a 25 degree scoliosis usually painful? Could an unknown injury cause a curve?
Third, and maybe I am doing too much surfing on the net, but Michelle also has complained of headaches very frequently during the last year or so. She even had a cat scan which turned up negative. I became familiar with Chiari malformation on this website and I wonder if there is a connection........
I guess I have blabbed enough but I am very confused and scared that there may be something else wrong. I also feel very guilty that I never had Michelle checked last spring when she first complained about being "crooked". I would really appreciate any insights or suggestions from the forum. It would really help us during our appointment at the Shriners Hospital.
Oh, I forgot to mention that Michelle was adopted at birth (the happiest day of our lives!!!!) and we have zero medical history.
Thank you all for listening.
Lisa
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