DD has to have a x-ray querying alignment and scoliosis. :-(

[LilRedWG]

DD (9) has been complaining of a back ache on and off for a long time now, but as I have a chronically bad back we had put it down to her emulating me a bit, plus it was very intermittent at first, now it is constant and feels like her back needs to crack.

She and DS (4) both have a dip in their spine but we have neve thought anything of it, however the pain she has has focused around the first spinal protrusion below this dip.

I finally took her to the GP, who has sent her for an X-ray, stating,

"Has a dip in spine, recedes at t10 to l1, c/o back pain. Younger brother has same. ? Alignment and scoliosis."

Does anyone have any experience or advice before I go into a trail spin please?

Sorry, that should have read...

? normal alignment and scoliosis.

The GP won't be about to tell if she has scoliosis or not, he's just referring you on as without an x Ray they won't be able to tell. Hopefully it's just to rule it out, rather than rule it in
Iykwim

I know Owllady, am just flapping. She will have her xray in the morning and then go back to the GP for results in two weeks.

Thank you.

It's best to check with girls tbh lilredwg.I'm sure it will be fine

All looked straight to me and the radiographer. DD was crying when I took her into school as she is fed up of it hurting. I have promised her that we will not let the doctor fob us off without it being looked into properly.

I have scoliosis. Don't let her be like me. Mine was diagnosed when I was a teenager (I am now 50) and they said, if you're in pain, come back. I thought they meant severe pain. I never went back. I have had intermittent chronic back pain throughout my life; my posture is horrible and I will never be free of back trouble.

If she is already complaining of pain, they will hopefully treat her. It will probably mean a back brace; it may mean surgery, but I think the treatments have advanced since the early 1980s. (One of the reasons I didn't want to have treatment was because one of my classmates was actually in Stoke Mandeville at the time having spinal surgery for the same condition.)

You say DD is nine: she might be a bit young for this book but I remember reading it when I was a newly-diagnosed teen and finding it reassuring. It's bound to have dated a bit, though.

My daughter has it too. She was braced for two years but it didn't work so we are waiting for scoliosis correction surgery. It's interesting to read your post solidgold as my daughter has a severe learning disability it's been up to us as her parents to decide whether or not to operate. But like you, she gets a lot of pain even now (in her hips etc) and her lower internal organs are all getting squashed. I'm dreading the operation even though it's a successful operation, but I don't think I'd forgive myself if I had to watch her deteriorating physically over the years. She has enough problems.

Lilredwg, I hope they get to the bottom of it soon

SGB - I'm so sorry that you are in such pain. DD's spine looks straight to me and radiologist so doubtful it's scoliosis, I hope?

Owllady, I'm sorry that your daughter has ended up needing surgery.

I really appreciate you both sharing your experience with me. Thank you.

It is worth seeing an osteopath too.

My daughter and son have both had scoliotic tendencies and are being monitored but osteopathy seems to be helping and is definetly easing the pain.

It's quite unusual for a 9 yr old to have ongoing back pain without and history of injury. If the x Ray doesn't show scoliosis I think it would still be worth getting a referral to a paediatrician just to check everything out

I have a mild scoliosis. Not worth a brace or surgery. Consider how she carries a school bag.
Yoga helped me. Pilates helps some. Alexander technique?You need a strong core. I am finally off all meds. Yay!

Thank you all. You have given me lots to consider.

We saw the doctor last night and her xray is fine (phew). He started to refer us to physio but DH interrupted and asked if that was just to treat the symptom or would they be looking for the cause.

The GP put his pen down and asked if we had insurance. When we said no he said that he would try to find someone to see her on the NHS but that it would probably be a long wait. He said the fact that it is starting to impact her life (she isn't doing her usual two day golf club due to pain) will hopefully get her seen.

So, we are waiting.

Erm, how much golf does she do? Sure I remember reading something about golf causing lower back pain...

Absolutely leave off the golf, and enroll her in Pilates and yoga.

Golf is really bad for twisting and compressing the back. It may be the cause of her pain. I had to laugh when I read she plays golf and has back pain!! Talk about cause and effect.

Fwiw diagnoses of diseases are the starting point of getting better.

Scoliosis isn't a life sentence for pain if her core strength is strong.

I have a x2 37 degree bends with slight rotation in my pelvis and a small rib hump, but hardly notice it as I do yoga and Pilates.

Someone else suggested Alexander technique and that's very excellent as well. Wheelie school bags are definately the way to go, so she isn't raising one shoulder up and forward.

Just as an aside, I do hope she's not playing the violin standing up either-'it's best to start learning that instrument lying flat on the ground to make sure she's not crouching up over it.

She has a one hour lesson, once a week, so I don't think that is the cause. She did a yoga class for a couple of years and I've been encouraging her to do her stretches.

Thank you both.

What about leaving the golf for a couple of months and swapping it for swimming, especially backstroke. She also need to really increase her abs and core muscles, so another big yes to pilates and yoga.
Go for the physio offered, even if it takes months to get it.

Have you tried an osteopath?