toddler with probable scoliosis - anyone with experience of this?

[Chaotica]

DS is 3 and has a lower (lumbar) spine with an obvious curve in it. (He probably got it in utero.)

(I won't dwell how many times I went to the GP, posted on here etc about his slow physical development and seeming to be in pain when he was a baby. Eventually we gave up. Even a cranial osteopath who was treating him for other problems didn't spot it.)

Now it is rather obvious (the latest GP referred immediately) and we're off to see a consultant.

Has anyone had a baby/toddler with a similar problem? Was it treated or just monitored? Is there anything I should ask the consultant?

Thanks.

I was born with Scheuermann's disease - which shares several of the problems with scoliosis. (Although this was in the '70s!)

As a child I had a very noticeable curve in my thoracic spine (middle bit) and walked with a noticeable stoop. (Even my mum would say, "Here's my head, my a**e is coming," as I approached!) I would also swim in circles!

Different doctors wanted me to be 'treated' in different ways. My parents made the decision that I would not wear a back brace and fought for their decision to be upheld. Instead, I was encouraged to do a lot of physical activity - swimming, tennis, squash, even judo and was reminded to stand up straight.

I did suffer with migraine throughout my adolescent years and was on prescribed medication for that and for back pain. I 'grew' out of it and have gradually suffered less and less as I get older. I stopped taking prescribed pain medication at the age of 21.

I do still suffer from back pain on occasion but possibly no more than other people of my age perhaps? I am also in the early stages of arthritis - which, to be honest, is generally a bigger nuisance than the curve of my spine ever was/is.

Sorry, this may not be quite the same as you are going through - but I just wanted to say that a curvature of the spine is not necessarily life limiting. I hope things go well for you and your son.

Good luck

Thanks Dysgu - that's actually really helpful.

I'd rather avoid unpleasant treatment for DS if I can (but I don't want him to suffer). He's just getting to the age when he can complain of back pain (and sometimes does) which is obviously unusual in someone his age.

Hi , I am at the same point with my 9 year old son. (been trying to find the cause of his pain through NHS for years now too, eventually a chiropractor who was advertising her business at a fitness centre spotted it!)Waiting for appointments with spinal surgeon and peadiatrician. Nervewracking is'nt it?

I've found these pages helpful to answer some questions:

www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scoliosis/#causes

and the Scoliosis Association UK (www.sauk.org.uk)
is a charity that provides support and info for those in our position. Good Luck!

Hi Chaotica,

It may be a little late for you to see this, but glad to hear your DS will be seen soon. My son was suspected of having scoliosis a year and a half ago (aged 4).

Scoliosis can be associated with Arnold Chiari Malformation (which is what my son has) and tethered chord so from my point of view I would be asking if any MRI/CT scans will be looking at the possibility of a Chiari malformation.

HTH