Scoliosis?

[2prettyprincesses]

I don't know if any of you have any experience with scoliosis but I thought it was worth a shot.

My dd13's physical therapist said the my DD has mild scoliosis. This is the second PT who has said this. Her lower back is so curved that when she lays down, her lower back is off the ground about 5 inches.

Can scoliosis develop later in life? DD's ped never mentioned any thing. Her chiropator and myropator never said anything either. Also, I felt her spine and didn't feel anything unusual but then again, I'm not a doctor!!

 

[Piper]

Scoliosis can develop at any time. It sounds as though what she has may be lordosis or what used to be called "swayback." I am very familiar with this as it is one of the types of scoliosis I have (was identified in 7th grade.) Ask your PT who they would recommend she see about it. They usually know who the "good" doctors are!--at least the ones familiar with her condition.

 

[AZDisFamily]

Scoliosis can develop at any age, but is most prevalent in young girls going through their teenage growth spurt.

I have scoliosis and had a spinal fusion to correct it when I was 17 - which is late by most standards - but I did not start my teenage growth spurt until 14.
Pre-surgery I was 5 ft, 3 inches - post surgery I was/am 5 ft, 7inches.

I would take her to an orthopedist who specializes in pediatrics / scoliosis for an evaluation. 5 inches is quite a bit of an issue. Also, check out the Shriner's hospitals - they are the best, and while there isn't one in AZ, there are several in CA and TX - and they are FREE.

 

[krisnme]

My DS (19) was fine at his 14yr check up and by his 15th had a moderate curve 1-2 degrees from needing surgery. he has been watched since but it has not gotten worse. I was shocked at how quickly it developed.

 

[DVC96]

First, let me say that I am nearly 52 years old and have lead a very active life. My scoliosis curve was not found until I was over 16. For some reason that year, the school district implemented a screening for it. When mine was discovered, it was already at 42 degrees. After being told to see the family physician and then referred to one orthopedic surgeon and then another, it was recommended that I have surgery to correct it. By that time, I was ready to start college and declined to have surgery. (No one ever suggested bracing to us, back in the 70's.) I have had it monitored over the years and currently participate in a study on adults with scoliosis at Walter Reed. My curve has been at 63 degrees for many, many years and I have had relatively few problems so far. My DD18 has a friend who had the surgery this past fall, after years of being braced, at Georgetown (his curve was 48 degrees) and he bounced back so quickly. My surgeon tells me he will do it at any age, but as you get older the degree of correction gets less and less. You might want to ask for a referral just to have it checked out. Wishing you the best of luck!

 

[2prettyprincesses]

Thank you all so much! I tried to google it but all that came up was about a twist and said nothing about the lower back. All so we were just at the ped doc a few days before the PT and he didn't notice anything.

2 PTs say she has it so.... I haven't got her in for an ortho doc though because the one the PT recommend was at Phoenix children's and we have had a HORRIBLE experience with them. Hoping its not bad enough for surgery cause she just had a major one 2 months ago. I guess I'm off to find a good doc!

 

[SoonerSarah]

It has been brought up in conversation regarding my youngest and that's all that has been said. I'm going to look up the Shriners Hospitals since we live in Texas.