I would like information on my Kyphoscoliosis

[Mothercat]

I just found out I have kyphoscoliosis My degree is 23 scoliosis and 66 for kyphosis I am 52 years old. I also have 2 pinched nerve in my neck and carpal tunnel in both hands. I would like to know if the degree is bad. I went to the doctor and they said nothing could be done for me. They told me to try to stand up straight. I also have my right shoulder is lower than my left. At my job I appliances orders and after I check them I have to make my own boxes to pack them andafter I pack them I have to lift them off the table. That makes by back hurt really bad. Thank you Regina.

[LindaRacine]

Hi Regina...

Your scoliosis certainly isn't all that bad. Your kyphosis could be bad, depending on which vertebrae are involved. Normal kyphosis in the upper thoracic area is 20-50 degrees. If the kyphosis is lower in the spine, the number should be lower.

Telling you to stand up straight is absolutely ridiculous. Perhaps you should get a second opinion. Have you had a bone density scan? If you are osteoporotic, your spine problems could be from small fractures.

And, having such a physical job could certainly be causing pain and/or making the problem worse. It would probably be much better to have a job where you didn't have to bend over, or lift things off of the ground. At the very least, you should be sure that you're using proper lifting techniques:

http://www.uos.harvard.edu/ehs/ih_backsafety5.shtml

Also, you might want to check out a dorsal vest. They can be found at hospital supply stores. It's a lightweight brace, that can be worn under your clothes, and that keeps your shoulders and upper back in proper alignment. However, you may find that it causes muscle spasms or pain in your uneven shoulders, so be sure to try it out in the store.

Regards,
Linda

[Mothercat]

Dear Linda I took a bone density scan and the doctor said I osteopenia on my left hip. I got the report from the doctor and here is what they said. She has upper thoracic curve of 23 degrees with a left sided rotational prominenceof 7 degree and left shoulder being higher than the right. Her postural kyphosis measures 66 degrees and it is associated with mid thoracic back pain. Could you please give me your opinion on this condition. Thank you Regina .

[LindaRacine]

Hi Regina...

Unfortunately, I'm not a medical professional, so all I can tell you is what I've heard from other patients, or from what I've read (which I posted to you yesterday). If possible, I'd encourage you to be seen by a scoliosis specialist, who can evaluate your condition. You can find a list of such doctors here:

http://www.srs.org/directory/directory.asp

Regards,
Linda

[javaboy]

Hi Regina,
I'm in a similar case to you. I have kyphoscoliosis caused by a birth defect in my spine which fused three vertebrae together, leaving me with a kyphosis of about 43* and a scoliosis of about 21*. It didn't get picked up until I was 27.
Like you, I was told to stand straight, and I'm pretty sure I also have the pinched nerves at the base of the neck, though I'm yet to have a neurosurgeon look into it.
The best thing I ever did was to get referred to a physiotherapist or physical therapist. The average doctor can only do so much - they can get you x-rayed and give you pain meds, but that's about it. Even if your kyphoscoliosis is simply postural, it still tells me that your back muscles need a lot of strengthening, much like mine do. A physio will put you on a special set of exercises to strengthen your back up over time, allowing you to stand straighter (likely to be Pilates these days).
Though it is a long road, after nine months of full-on exercise, I am seeing results and my pain is decreasing.

Hope that helps!
Martin Hughes

[cac337]

Hey,

My 2nd spinal fusion surgery was for correcting my kyphosis, which had progressed to 60-something degrees. After sitting for more than half an hour, I'd get shooting, burning pain on the right side of my neck, because of all the pressure. I currently have a kyphotic curvature of about 43-45 degrees, which is within the normal range. My parents couldn't believe it when I sat up in bed the day after surgery and they could see that I finally sat up straight. My neck was so much more elongated and I actually grew about an inch taller!

I would say that one of the most important things to do is to concentrate on your posture and the way you position yourself while doing daily activities. You may find that one shoulder tends to scrunch up higher than another, or something else, which will ultimately cause muscle tension and pain. I think the most important thing is to strengthen your torso muscles. I know that for me, when I force myself to rely more on my abdominal muscles and sitting up straight instead of slouching in a chair, I don't get as much muscle tension.

After my surgery, of course, my pain has drastically diminished. I still, however, experience pain when I've been sitting for hours hunched over a textbook or even sitting at the computer for too long. Like Martin said in his post, strengthening exercises can be the ticket, which is something I need to invest more time in doing.

Hope that helps you!
-C

[KML]

I have kyphoscoliosis as well, 105 degrees kyphosis and 36 scoliosis (was 44 at worst but I had 5 surgeries to try to correct). I am set to have the two stage revision surgery on Dec 1 & 6 at UCSF.

C- I am 35 yrs old and I would love to grow an inch taller after surgery. I used to be 5'6 after my first surgery then my rod broke and have multiple surgeries after that seemed to fail and now I am 5'3".
Did you have the two stage surgery?

Regina - I completely agree with Linda, you need to see a spine specialist at a large center to give you the info that you need. I understand how you feel and I have never, ever had a Dr tell me to "stand up straight". It is impossible for me to stand up straight as hard as I try. My mother is in the same boat and I can see hers is worse than mine and she too can not stand straight at all in the least little bit. I'd like to have a word with that doctor...that really irritates me. Good luck and take care of yourself.

-Kimberly

[dianebetts]

Hi! I am a 38 yr. old mother of two that has had scoliosis and kyphosis since 14. After the birth of my second child at 36, my kyphosis escalated - almost daily - until I was at a 77 degree kyphotic curve. I was told by the best doctors in San Antonio and in the air force ( I had both private and military care) that there was no hope. Thank God I found Dr. Alexis Shelokov - www.consultingorthopedists.com. He operated last August.
He is down to earth and by far and away the most knowledgeable scoliosis doctor I have ever met or heard of. Check out his interview on his website for some great information. Your curve may not be severe enough for surgery; however, any doctor who would tell you to "stand up straight" is an absolute idiot and I suggest you have a real doctor inform him that standing up straight is no more in your control than asking someone with a broken leg to run a mile.
Email me if you have any questions and good luck!
Diane

[Marcilo]

Hi Regina...

Your scoliosis certainly isn't all that bad. Your kyphosis could be bad, depending on which vertebrae are involved. Normal kyphosis in the upper thoracic area is 20-50 degrees. [B] If the kyphosis is lower in the spine, the number should be lower.[/B]
Regards,
Linda

What are the complications associated with Kyphosis in lower spine?

[LindaRacine]

Hi Marcilo...

It's a fairly rare condition, so I'm not sure that anyone has every documented it. But, I would guess, as with ANY problem in the lower spine, one would have pain, especially when standing or walking, and possibly loss of function.

Regards,
Linda

[Back-out]

I have marked kyphosis in the lumbar spine and yes, it DOES cause considerable pain and loss of function. Of course, it's hard to separate it from the lumbar scoliosis of at least 60 deg cobb angle. Still need the kyphosis measured.

Since I used considerable muscle strength straightening myself for the last Xray series, I'm afraid I need at least the lateral one redone. It was hard to stand, so I used the rods placed to either side of me, not only to prop myself up (that's their purpose). but also to stand much straighter (very wrong). Guess it was kind of a vanity reflex like having a photo taken, and when I asked the tech, he said "sure, sure it's OK".

Later, however, I both read and realized that not standing with a natural posture gave a false reading to all surgeons examining my Xrays. I hate subjecting myself to additional radiation but I guess I have to. Surgeons are evaluating not only my suitability for surgery but their plan of op according to this distortion.

One surgeon already said cheerily to me that my extremely good sagittal balance (he didn't call it that) was an excellent prognostic indicator in my total picture. My heart sank, realizing it was artificial. The first surgeon OTOH noted I walked at a 40 degree forward slant, which I fear is more to the point.

[jrnyc]

hi Regina
besides seeing a scoliosis specialist, you might want to consider a pain management specialist as well...

i hope you find the right doctors and get some help...and feel better...
jess

[mames246]

Hi Everyone, I have kyphosis and a 76 degree curve in my thorasic spine and I am now 50 years old. I was being treated in Philadelphia until I moved down here to Florida. Since I was diagnosed late in life surgery is not a good option for me. The hardest thing is to find a doctor who understands kyphosis and I think I finally found a doctor. There is a lot of pain, lung issues, balance, and other issues when you start getting into higher degrees like mine. The only thing I can say about it is that it takes alot of personal devotion just to be able to live some kind of normal life.