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  • Confused! please help?!

    Hi guys! I am 15 and i was diagnosed when I went to my doctors office for a regular checkup. When I broke my wrist and saw the doctor, he happened to be a scoliosis specialist and I ended up getting an xray. He said I had an S curve, 15 degrees and 11. I had no pain when this was happening. That was 3 or 4 months ago and now I am experiencing pain in my back. How can i tell this is from my scoliosis? Also how can i tell if it increased? I did grow alot in that short period of time, almost an inch. I also only got my period in august when i was 14.

    Also -- How do you guys deal with pain in your back? I get it when I am sitting up, like on my bed for a while without leaning against anything.

    Last thing, under what circumstances would i need a brace? If it increased how much more? I definitely don't want one but i heard it helps with pain in your back?

    sorry for all the questions, I am new to all this.

    thanks for reading this!

    - Katie

  • #2
    Hi, Katie ...

    "Scoliosis specialists" don't typically deal with things like broken wrists. I'd encourage you to talk to your parents about getting a second opinion for you.

    You can find a list of Scoliosis Research Society specialists at www.srs.org/find.

    Best of luck to you,
    Pam
    Fusion is NOT the end of the world.
    AIDS Walk Houston 2008 5K @ 33 days post op!


    41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
    Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
    Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston


    VIEW MY X-RAYS
    EMAIL ME

    Comment


    • #3
      As mentioned by txmarinemom, a second opinion would be a decent idea. Definitely find one from the srs.org website. You can search by geographic region. If they are listed there then they have done specific training in spinal deformities and that continues to be part of their practice. Maybe the doctor who gave you the diagnosis is listed. It's worth checking out.

      For some general information, which you may already know. The curves you have would be considered 'mild'. This doesn't mean they are mild for you because I'm sure you are worried about them. But from a clinical/doctor/treatment point of view, they are mild. So that is a good thing. Many people have curves your size and don't even know it.

      Your age is a good thing, but as you mentioned, having just started your period can add an increased risk for progression. Although it's difficult to say what risk you have.

      For back pain, it's difficult to say whether or not your curves are causing the pain. I know that many people have found relief with back exercises. There are several threads on here, and elsewhere, that discuss specific exercises for people with scoliosis. Things like yoga and pilates are very helpful for many people.

      There is also trunk strength training with which I am familiar. People with back pain frequently do many of these exercises to reduce pain, myself included, although I don't have scoliosis. There are also studies on strength training specific to scoliosis and these studies are discussed quite a bit on here. However, none of them specifically address pain.

      I also should point out that exercises should only be done as long as a there is no reason why you can't. What I mean is, if there is some reason why you are not allowed to workout then make sure you discuss everything with your parents/doctor. Actually, you should do that with anything you read on here or other places. This forum is a great resource for information and support. Please keep asking questions if you have them.

      Good luck.

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi im 14 and i have the exact same situation as you my curves are 20 and 16. I have to make sure i sit straight most of the time, my main pain is in my shoulder blades.

        Comment


        • #5
          Have you looked into the CLEAR program?

          I have heard good things about the CLEAR program, especially for smaller curves such as yours. You should check it out and get all the information you can get. The smaller the curve the more likely you can get a reduction if at all possible. Just something to look into. http://www.Clear-institute.com. As someone else posted, you started your menses so you really have to watch during your growth spurts to make sure your curves don't progress.

          Best of luck to you! I hope your second opinion ends up being "no scoliosis" at all!!

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Angele1 View Post
            I have heard good things about the CLEAR program, especially for smaller curves such as yours. You should check it out and get all the information you can get. The smaller the curve the more likely you can get a reduction if at all possible. Just something to look into. http://www.Clear-institute.com. As someone else posted, you started your menses so you really have to watch during your growth spurts to make sure your curves don't progress.

            Best of luck to you! I hope your second opinion ends up being "no scoliosis" at all!!
            Aren't you a chiro? A Clear-certified chiro? A Clear chiro for 4 years and you only "heard" good things? Haven't you seen them in your work?

            If so, why are you writing as if you are not associated with chiro or Clear?

            This is the type of advertisement that NSF doesn't like I thought.

            It would be good if chiros can stop advertizing so they don't get kicked off. Then patients can ask them questions about Clear, evidence, etc.
            Last edited by Pooka1; 12-09-2010, 05:33 PM.
            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."

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Pooka1 View Post
              Aren't you a chiro? A Clear-certified chiro? A Clear chiro for 4 years and you only "heard" good things? Haven't you seen them in your work?

              If so, why are you writing as if you are not associated with chiro or Clear?

              This is the type of advertisement that NSF doesn't like I thought.

              It would be good if chiros can stop advertizing so they don't get kicked off. Then patients can ask them questions about Clear, evidence, etc.
              Angele1 = Dr. Jacqueline Smith

              I really dislike it when people pretend to be something they're not, or not be up front with who they are. *two thumbs down*
              Son 14 y/o diagnosed January 20th. 2011 with 110* Curve
              Halo Traction & 1st. surgery on March 22nd. 2011
              Spinal Fusion on April 19th. 2011

              Dr. Krajbich @ Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland Oregon



              http://tinyurl.com/Elias-Before
              http://tinyurl.com/Elias-After

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Elisa View Post
                Angele1 = Dr. Jacqueline Smith

                I really dislike it when people pretend to be something they're not, or not be up front with who they are. *two thumbs down*
                It's almost like they try to get kicked off for something so they don't have to answer hard questions about the efficacy of their approach.

                I say let Smith stay ONLY if she will answer questions about her experience with doing Clear for 4 years and not write anything else about Clear until then.
                Last edited by Pooka1; 12-09-2010, 05:47 PM.
                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."

                Comment


                • #9
                  Well, sidestepping who you really are sure doesn't instill confidence that's for sure. At least not to me. If you've got a good product then be up front with folk and give them the straight goods and back up what you say instead of playing dumb. There is no other way IMO.
                  Son 14 y/o diagnosed January 20th. 2011 with 110* Curve
                  Halo Traction & 1st. surgery on March 22nd. 2011
                  Spinal Fusion on April 19th. 2011

                  Dr. Krajbich @ Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland Oregon



                  http://tinyurl.com/Elias-Before
                  http://tinyurl.com/Elias-After

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    By the way, I wish all Clear chiros would come on NSF for the purpose of presenting their evidence that their method unambiguously allows people to avoid surgery during and after treatment.

                    A potential problem is in what Smith has written... she is banging on about treating people while the curves are small without seeming to realize or acknowledge that the vast majority of this group needs no treatment to avoid surgery. And yet she would give Clear credit for that majority avoiding surgery. The point about showing a positive result against a very large background of natural positive outcomes seems completely lost on Smith.
                    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."

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Dear Detective Pooka....

                      I know enough to believe you've probably got proof. Care to share it?

                      --Linda
                      Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
                      Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Post #8 on this thread:

                        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...-for-the-women

                        Hi Mehera,
                        I have seen you over at the fixscoliosis.com site. Nice to see you here too! I am a CLEAR doctor and have been utilizing this program for about 4 years now. From the standpoint of pain relief I have seen some wonderful results with my patients. The pain, in general is the first thing to go away. I attribute this to the mix, fix set protocol that we utilize. The patients I see, as you can imagine, don't want epidural injections, pain medications or surgery. I am actually often pleasantly surprised at how well they do with regards to pain. Keep in mind, as with all programs, it will work for some and not for others.

                        As far as pregnancy goes, I have a multitude of patients that have scoliosis and have had children and are doing well. I even had a patient state that her curves reduced while pregnant. These patients don't have small curves either. We are talking 40 and up Cobb angles.

                        The issue of pregnancy and scoliosis often comes up with my younger patients. I can only offer my clinical advise as to what I have seen in practice. So far, I have not had any patients experience complications due to their curvatures. I am sure there are some out there...but this has been my experience.

                        I have seen your blog and it appears that you have a proactive approach to your scoliosis. In my humble opinion, if you are functional with minimal pain than surgery is not a necessity. Unfortunately, once surgery is done you can't go back.

                        If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! I have an open mind and am not trying to push an agenda. Just want to see people get better!
                        Sincerely,
                        Dr. Jacqueline Smith
                        Linda, if she promises to ONLY answer questions about her evidence that Clear works from her own patients over four years and doesn't say another word about Clear then can we keep her please please please?
                        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."

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          what is a "Clear" doctor...?
                          what is the specialty in medical school for that...?
                          that means chiropractor, correct...?

                          then why not say "i am a chiropractor who specializes in the Clear mehtod of treatment"...?? why mislead...some of us dont consider chiropractors to be doctors with medical school training!!!!!

                          presenting oneself as a "Clear" doctor is a mis-truth, in my opinion...and certainly a lie by omission...omission of the facts of one's training!!!


                          jess

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by jrnyc View Post
                            what is a "Clear" doctor...?
                            what is the specialty in medical school for that...?
                            that means chiropractor, correct...?

                            then why not say "i am a chiropractor who specializes in the Clear mehtod of treatment"...?? why mislead...some of us dont consider chiropractors to be doctors with medical school training!!!!!

                            presenting oneself as a "Clear" doctor is a mis-truth, in my opinion...and certainly a lie by omission...omission of the facts of one's training!!!jess
                            If this was the UK, Smith could not legally refer to herself as a "doctor." So there is much less chance of confusion in the UK than in the US. Because of this, I think the Scoliosis Support site polices chiros getting on there and calling themselves doctors.

                            I have noted a lot of self-loathing among chiros wherein they are relucant to disclose they are chiros. Someone recently posted a chiro scoliosis site wherein there was NO mention that the guy was a chiro but there were all kinds of mentions about him being a "Dr." Hugely misleading.

                            Chiros have no training or expertise in treating scoliosis.
                            Last edited by Pooka1; 12-10-2010, 10:20 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."

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              thank you for clarifying that...it was what i suspected...

                              jess

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