Dd developing a hump what can we do

[Tigersonvaseline]

Doctor has referred her before Xmas and we are still waiting to hear something.
On one side it looks like hers shoulder blade is massively sticking out.
Is there anything we can do?

@Ferny123

Unfortunately I've hit a wall.
I've been told I can't contact the orthopedic myself by doctors secretary.
Then she spoke to them and it will be three months from now before She is triaged.

Then it's at least a year before anything else.
Untill someone lays eye's on her I can't understand what we are even dealing with?

I don't know what to do next.

Can you afford to go for a private assessment?

Please keep pushing the referral the shoulder blade jutting out on one side could be scoliosis it was in my daughters case she stood lopsided and her left shoulder blade stuck out she ended up with a 95 degree curve and 75 degree in her lower back it intensifies when the girl starts their period and once it gets to a certain degree over 120 I believe its inoperable. Its quite common in adolescent girls apparantly.

How can I push though!
This is what I've been told.
I asked as she's young would that mean she's triaged faster and the docs Said no because she's not in pediatric so consider an adult

Unfortunately unless you go to have private x-rays (which isnt easy done!) any private bracing company or physio will all need x-rays before they can assess her. I think you ve somehow been given the wrong referral from your GP. IAS is a progressive conditions and if caught before growth has completed it can be treated and halted and even improved. There's no way you should be left for that length of time. This is time critical and I'd be back at my drs questioning their referral. The Adams forward bend test is pretty reliable and easy to do at home as this will show up any rotational curve (rib hump) which results from a sideways bend. One of my DD has a single thoracic bend and only a rib hump and my other DD has a balanced double curve which shows a rib hump and additional lumber one. If you have been referred correctly by your GP I've found that the orthopaedic consultants secretary is usually the best person to contact. Definitely do some chasing as there's lots that can be done. Sorry you re going through this. Not nice for anybody but there is some great support out there.

Ok but who do I chase the Doc's secretary was so secretive?

Our trust doesn't answer phones.

I can't get hold of anyone ever even if I'm running late for an appt!

As others have said, can you pay for a private consultation? It should be a one off cost.

Only other option I think is to call the orthopaedic clinic via hospital switchboard, find out when clinic is and keep asking for a cancellation slot.

We had a journey with my daughter. She doesn’t have scoliosis but was in the first instance was referred to orthopaedics. Her appointment came thorough for 6 months after the GP referral so we went private.

Is this the orthopedic consultants secretary? If so have they already received the referral?
I've had so much trouble trying to get copies of my own daughters xrays to send to our orthotist but know PALS within the NHS can be really helpful.

Have you tried speaking to PALS?

Ok so if we pay for a private consultant.

Can I ask by whom?

An orthopedic consultant?

Let's say he diagnosis her, then what?
Back to NHS?

Ferny no, doctor secretary.

Her referral was made before Xmas ( 2 week's) we were told to wait until March 8th.

Nothing.

I chased and was eventually told it will be three further months before they triage her.

Then a year until she's seen for treatment?

Yes it will be back to NHS but much quicker to get to that point. I would go back to the GP and ask for a private referral but others may be better able to advise how to do it this. We were lucky as we could add my daughter to our private healthcare via work.

I also tried to find out if we can use a different trust.
Or choose a consultant.
I had too call doctor again but couldn't get the phone call

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/nhs-services-and-treatments/do-i-need-a-gp-referral-for-private-treatment/

Re private referral, I'm confused as to why I would need to go via the doctor?
Can't I just approach myself?

Or go direct:
www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/self-pay

Oh cross post. Yes you can. BMA advise against it evidently, but I think that’s on the basis that a GP ‘knows’ you which it doesn’t sound like it is the case with your daughter and certainly wasn’t the case with my daughter.

Seems strange that they re being so slow. Once our gp checked and suspected scoliosis we were referred. Saw ortho about 6 wks later who triaged and also said scolio and sent for x-rays to confirm on same day. Same for both girls. Whereabouts are you?? Maybe you ve been lost. Like somebody said you could ask Dr secretary to read you out referral letter find out who she has been referred to then do some digging at that hospital. Sounds like you re trying all you can. To be honest I'd just want an x-ray once you have checked for scoliosis yourself. The orthopedic consultants haven't yet told me anything I didn't already know. Wish I could help you more x

Thanks sergil and others.
Maybe I need to see a different doctor and once in there get pushing for what else I can do.

Unfortunately gp are general practitioner.

Ferny we are south east.

The system is absolutely chocker blocks and stuffed to the gunnels.
This is NHS care around me and before anyone talks about Tory cuts it's been dire well before they came to power.

The secretary was like a wet lettuces asking why I was calling a full "two days" before she's told us to call if we hasn't received anything.
We'd been waiting since mid December

Then she told me She would investigate but orthopaedic has no phone number.

She's never got back to me.
So more calls left s message and another lady was more helpful.
I then tried to contact a charity to get help.
Unfortunately trying to dig out information was beyond painful.
Eg where are you , Oxford. There are three which ones would you like?
Well please may I have them all?
Well one is blah, would you like this one.

With every sentence on this exchange the email address wouldn't work so instead of giving me all the information each time the address failed in truing to cut and paste send re send.

Just give me all the people please!!!

Grinds you down.

Can you avoid to get a private referral? If you can that might help speed things up - just check how it would work if you need to be referred back to the NHS for treatment.

I wouldn’t mess around with osteopaths and back supports until you’ve had a consultant opinion.

She is already 14? That is very poor.
I suggest you google all the orthopaedic surgeons in your local trust and surrounding trusts. Look at your local hospital websites first. Read the short description of the special interest of each orthopod. They will all be different. Some do hips, some do shoulders, some have special interest in scoliosis/spinal problems. Make a list of the spinal specialists.
Then google the names to find out which do private practice.
You can ring their private secretary to make an initial private appointment. At least you will know what the problem is and, IME, a decent specialist will look at getting you back into the NHS with the right person. The sooner scoliosis is diagnosed the better.
You shouldn't have to do it this way, but sometimes needs must.

Good luck! I could kick myself for not pushing harder for my daughter hence I am giving you this advice. We got there in the end but she needed more aggressive treatment due to the delay.

Thanks will trying and do that.
I did start to look but as I am not sure what I'm dealing with I wasn't sure but will start tomorrow.

Anyone know how much private is? For specialist too see her and x-ray or whatever