Very arched back in 12 year old - sign of scoliosis or bad in itself?

[Guiltridden12345]

my 12 year old has a very arched back. Always has. In loose clothes it looks like she’s fat as her stomach sticks out so far. In bikini (we’re on hols) I can see it’s still extremely arched and her walk is quite waddle like (on beach to be fair!). I asked her to tense her tummy muscles and this immediately straightened her back up a bit but in relaxed state she’s very duck like - very arched back and sticky out bum.

she also sometimes looks a bit wonky, but suspect we all do when relaxed. However I’m wondering if I should take her to doc to look at her back? She’s a gymnast, and I know this can worsen/encourage lordosis (the arched lower back), so want to make sure she’s not exacerbating anything. Her cousin by marriage (not blood) also had a severe scoliosis so I’m possibly hyper aware.

aibu to be concerned, and to make a doc appt when home?

I was going to say that it’s quite often a sign of weak core muscles until you said she is a gymnast (as they do a lot of core strengthening exercises in their training. )
I would take her to the doctors if it’s a cause for concern.

I would strongly advise a good physio as a starting point. If you can afford it, go private (about £35 for a session).

I have scoliosis that could have been spotted and probably remedied in my teens. I complained of upper back/neck pains and my mum to me to our GP who just said it was probably because of my heavy school bag. Suggested pain killers and that was that. I so wish we had gone to a physio.

My curve was diagnosed by a physio after an RTC. I was actually wearing a top, standing in front of her and she said 'your spine isn't straight' - she could tell just by looking at me.

Unfortunately, it was too late for surgery by then so pilates classes run by said physio and sometimes physio appointments with her keep it from getting worse/sort things out when it becomes painful.

Absolutely no disrespect to GPs at all - they are not specialists in every area/cannot possibly know/spot everything. However, I would strongly urge you to take her to a physio. They can them refer on if needs be.

Is her spine straight and her shoulders equal when viewed from the back ?

Yes take her to a GP.

Be prepared to take her to see a private osteopath or physiotherapist if an NHS GP won’t refer her.

Looking into it now will be worth it down the line, as unmanaged scoliosis can lead to muscles on one side of the back being more developed than on the other.

Scoliosis is a side to side curve. Sometimes lordosis comes with a kyphosis higher up. My daughter had this, so her shoulders were level but she had a noticeable hunched shape as well as the exaggerated lower curve you describe.
On x ray it could be seen that her vertebrae were wedge shaped which meant the curve grew as she did, and it became more noticeable when she began her growth spurt at a similar age to your daughter.
Definitely worth getting her checked out, but our GP wasn't really aware and we wasted time when she actually needed a brace.
Ended up having a surgical correction.

Thanks for this. I see a physio for a sporting injury so I’ll ask her to take a look. I too worry about GP on specialist stuff, one didn’t spot a totally blocked bowel (despite palpating stomach) in one of my kids who complained of excruciating pain (at age 4) and then needed hospitalisation. Brilliant for the basics but agree that this kind of thing, if mild, can be missed.

@Guiltridden12345, don't go private in the first instance, take her to your GP.
If you don't get any sensible answer there, then maybe consider going private.
Did you know that gymnasts are very often hyper mobile? It could have some bearing on this.

Wow ok, I’ll definitely investigate and go to physio first, she works with pro sport kids so suspect she’s probably a good first port of call. So lordosis can need surgery too? How is your daughter now? Mine has no hunch, just a very arched back which can at times, in certain positions, look a little wonky. I’m very arched too, and had no issues as a child, but have lower back pain now and do Pilates for core to keep it in place. Have to think about it though, like my daughter I naturally arch, though mine is not as extreme and definitely no hunch here either.

She is extremely hyper mobile - is this connected? If so; how? I am too, my physio took one look and said I was 10 out of 10 on the hyper mobility scale. If anything my daughter is more hyper mobile than me.

Yes. I think so. I’ve been looking all day without being obvious. Her shoulders are even, her scapula (scapulas/scapulae?! Shoulder blades!) are even too. But when she’s standing relaxed, she massively arches and has a slight tilt to the right which I see from a little wrinkle on one side just above her right hip. That’s what got me looking originally, when I saw that in her bikini.

She could have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome with hypermobile joints - I have it but wasn't diagnosed until I was 54 and recently my DD was diagnosed at 26

What is this and what are the symptoms? Are you both better post diagnosis? I hope so.

Sounds like lordosis which is lower curvature of the spine what you're describing. I would go via the GP instead of paying out privately.

I’m pretty sure she has this. Just didn’t appreciate it could be a problem. Looking back on photos it’s always been very pronounced. I previously just thought she had a gymnasts body but will get her checked out as she is constantly back bending and flicking so want to make sure she’s safe and not doing her developing body harm.

@Guiltridden12345 it doesn't necessarily mean it will cause her any problems. It really depends how severe the curve is. it is good seeking advice now while is is young so that she will learn how to correctly support her spine as it doesn't naturally support itself in the correct manner. This will benefit her in adulthood for suffering back/leg pain etc. usually will be physio sometimes they can provide a back brace when they're young to help ensure she is supporting her spine correctly.

I have scholiosis and extreme hypermobility and have heard it can be linked when I have spoken to people before.. I am not actually sure if that is true! Physio helped with the scholiosis to a certain degree. I struggle and always have with 'correct' posture

Please get advice, hypermobility can cause issues in later life its so important to understand what exercise she should and shouldn't do. I would go to GP first and get them to do referral, if it's forever wait I would go private

Ok, understood. I always thought it was a plus for gym but as I get older it’s definitely an issue for me. She is incredibly clumsy and always turning her ankles on absolutely nothing. We’ve always laughed at her for it (I’m also very clumsy) but see now that I should get her checked out.

Can I ask what treatment you had for your scoliosis, or did you just do physio?

@Guiltridden12345 my daughter is ok thanks. It's a while ago now. The surgery was for the higher up bit, but the metalwork is the whole length of her back. Obviously would stop any gymnastics.
She is hyper mobile too!
Hopefully your daughter is a milder case and some physio will be enough.

When you say 'arched back' do you mean lordosis like the pic below? I would absolutely see a GP! If you scored 10/10 on a hypermobility test, I'm very surprised you haven't have more extensive testing to check for ehlers-danos or other related conditions. It can be genetic, and if your daughter is 'even more' hypermobile than you, then surely you see this as a concern? Has she had any testing at all so far? She may just be flexible, but yes please get her checked.

Ehlers-Danlos syndromes - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Assessing Joint Hypermobility - The Ehlers Danlos Society (ehlers-danlos.com)

My daughter has scoliosis, she was diagnosed when she was 14.
She ended up with a surgical correction because her curve was so big, her spine curves in both directions so is an S shape.
The GP diagnosed it but it was actually really obvious, she had a rib hump on one side and her hips and shoulders weren’t level.
There is a quick check you can do at home called an Adams bend test, it’s not 100% but can give you an idea.

Scoliosis is linked with Ehlers Danlos and hyper mobility is often a symptom of the latter
i would get it checked it is potentially all ljnked

2 close friends has scoliosis one had an operation (that Princess Beatrice had) the other a back brace she wore for 2 years or so

Does the part affected by scoliosis hurt or ache? Do painkillers work?

My son was diagnosed at 14/15, the consultant said it was at a reasonable angle.

But now, it's much worse and his tummy is pushing out on the affected side.

We have a finally, got a referral to an orthopaedic surgeon to reassess the situation after it was agreed it was bad.

But, I feel like I should have realised, and at least put him in a brace. He's 23 now. But, the idea of an operation for a small bend seemed pointless, as my DS is autistic and not great at staying still.

Sorry in for crashing the thread.

EDS seems to be the only condition people know on here.
There are endless conditions that can cause this so needs assessment. Hope it's all ok op.