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Children's health

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Original poster

Worried dd has scoliosis

49 replies

Bananarama3star · 14/02/2021 18:50

Dd is 12 and had a major growth spurt last year. She mentioned her waist goes in on one side so I asked to look and could see what she meant, it was almost straight on one side and went in on the other. I immediately googled ( I know it's not advised) and scoliosis came up. I couldn't see her spine looked curved when I asked her to do the bending over test.

I haven't wanted to make her feel self conscious by mentioning it or asking to look anymore but I can tell now that her clothes don't sit quite right. I don't think anyone else would notice, it's because I'm looking for it.

She is very nervous of dr's etc so I had a battle but I took her to the gp this week and she has referred her to the hospital. She said her hips bones were not level and when she done the bending over test she could see a curve .

I'm worried sick. We have made a private appointment to see a specialist on Tuesday as I know it will be a long wait with the current situation with the NHS. After the initial consultation though I'm not sure we could continue to afford anymore appointments privately.

Does anyone have experience of this and can advise what to expect at the appointment? Will they do an x-ray there and then or will that be another appointment?

I'm so worried about her future. She is a lively happy 12 year old who loves her sport and I'd hate that to be jeoporadised. She cried when she came out the gp's and I'm finding it hard to not do the same and be upbeat for her.

Thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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confusednortherner · 14/02/2021 18:53

I'm no expert on subject but my friends dd is same age and they found out she has scoliosis about 18 months ago.
Shes adjusted well to the brace and has been doing a lot of swimming as that counts as extra brace off time.
I hope you don't have to wait too long to be seen by a specialist who can give you more advice.

RandomMess · 14/02/2021 18:57

My DD has scoliosis, only detected when 14 turns out she has a misshapen vertebra. She has exercises to stop the pain she occasionally gets but no other treatment.

I do know a then child that needed surgery but hers was very very very severe. All fine post surgery.

MonkeyPuddle · 14/02/2021 18:57

My sister has scoliosis, it’s visible if you know she has it, one hip dips and she’s got a slight curve. She’s never needed any treatment, very physically active but does adjust exercises like weights or she can get pain.

Original poster

Bananarama3star · 14/02/2021 18:58

Thanks for your reply. That must be tough for her now with pools closed . That's my worst fear, that she will need a brace, she would completely freak out.

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glitterelf · 14/02/2021 18:59

First things first don't panic! We went through this with my son and what you are describing would be a curvature but probably not enough to need treatment other than some physio to teach her some stretching exercises.
My son was exactly the same but doesn't meet the degrees for any treatment other than the above.

Original poster

Bananarama3star · 14/02/2021 19:00

Thanks MonkeyPuddle that's reassuring to know. Do you mind saying how old she was when she was diagnosed?

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Copperblack · 14/02/2021 19:01

Hi, I had scoliosis as a teen and had spinal surgery - it was grim but you get over it and it’s much better now. I have no long-standing issues except you can’t have an epidural for giving birth in emergency as it can take a while to position it when the spine is curved. And my bra straps fall down! 12 is young so she may just need physio or a back brace. Just take it one day at a time x

MonkeyPuddle · 14/02/2021 19:02

I think she was about 14, she’s 26 now. She’s always been keen on fitness and I think that’s gone a long way in keeping her back healthy, she was under the hospital docs for it but was signed off relatively quickly with monitoring for a few years.

Original poster

Bananarama3star · 14/02/2021 19:03

Thankyou glitterelf and Copperblack. I need some positives, thankyou.

If she had some exercises to be getting on with that would be good. She likes to keep fit anyway so would be willing to do them.

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FabbyMagic · 14/02/2021 19:12

I have scoliosis and so does my brother, i have had some pain but nothing unmanageable. My curvature just tips into “severe” and was offered surgery when I was early teens but consultant I saw when I was 14-18 said my body seems to have adjusted quite well around it and not too much pain. I get pain carrying bags on one side (shopping is a killer!), standing for long periods and sometimes sitting but other than that I do long hikes with no problems, all other physical activities fine. I try not to do anything that would jolt it if you know what I mean, and I don’t do weights above my head as it puts too much pressure on my spine. No-one has ever noticed it, I do when I’m wearing tight fitting clothes but probably not obvious to anyone else if they aren’t looking for it.

Obviously each scoliosis is different and it depends on what the curvature is. They will be able to tell this at the x ray/MRI. (You might have to book these in separately or at the hospital, not sure on this if it is a private appointment). One orthopaedic specialist at the royal college of orthopaedics told me “lots of people have back pain, scoliosis doesn’t cause pain” so I don’t know if there is a consensus on that For me it does cause some pain!

Swimming and anything to strengthen the back muscles on the weaker side is something to work on. I am sure she will be ok - it’s very manageable for lots of people, and the people I know who had to have surgery have recovered very well.

glitterelf · 14/02/2021 19:29

If you have a gym ball that's a good start and basically some simple yoga stretches. Another thing school bags must be rucksack worn on both shoulders to distribute the weight evenly

Original poster

Bananarama3star · 14/02/2021 19:33

Thanks for your reply Fabbymagic. It's reassuring to hear how well you have coped with it.

I'm worried I should have noticed this sooner so there would have been a better outcome being able to start any treatment earlier. I have read it is common to not notice until they have a big growth spurt though.

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bearlyactive · 14/02/2021 19:34

Hi, I have scoliosis and have had surgery for it. I was diagnosed when I was just turned thirteen, and because my curve was so severe I had a brace briefly. Can't say that I ever went private, but when I was going through it I was referred to a specialist who will took some X-rays and categorised my curvature as "severe" (as opposed to "moderate" or "mild"). That categorisation will shape the course of treatment - as PPs have said, you may be given exercises, or recommended to have a brace, or (if really severe) recommended to have surgery - although this is a last resort, often when all other treatments have failed.

There is support out there. There are various Facebook groups - "SCOLIOSIS UK", a "parents of children with scoliosis" group and "teens with scoliosis" if your DD has FB, so she can talk to people her own age. I think there are various Instagram accounts too for people who have scoliosis to follow, if she has Instagram.

And it's by no means a death sentence for a love of sport! In fact, they recommend sports like horse-riding and swimming because they're good for balance and the core. It is important for your DD to know her limits though - if she starts to get pain, she must stop! Unless her curve is very, very severe and needing surgery, there is no reason for your DD to have to give up her sport. The brace could make it a bit harder, but it's surprising how quickly they adapt.

Original poster

Bananarama3star · 14/02/2021 19:35

Thats a good idea glitterelf, I might try and encourage her to join in some yoga You Tube videos with me while we're stuck indoors.

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Original poster

Bananarama3star · 14/02/2021 19:38

Thanks bearlyactive It's good to hear the op was a success for you. The idea of a brace is very daunting I must say. She seems to have a few sensory issues I think, her clothes have always had to be completely comfortable iyswim, it would be her worst nightmare.

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Original poster

Bananarama3star · 14/02/2021 19:42

Sorry RandomMess I missed your post. Thanks for replying. That's good your dd doesn't need any treatment.

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RandomMess · 14/02/2021 19:43

My DD is massively in to weight training and Footie.

Original poster

Bananarama3star · 14/02/2021 19:45

Mine is into football too so that's good. So annoying they can't currently play. I worry about them sitting around on devices most of the day

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Clymene · 14/02/2021 19:54

I have scoliosis. My left left is 1.5cm shorter than my right. I had a built up shoe as a teenager but stopped wearing it because it was ugly.

Has caused me zero issues through my life apart from a bit of Lowe back pain and Pilates teachers don't like it. I'm in my 50s.

Copperblack · 14/02/2021 19:56

When you say she has sensory issues, is she autistic? There is definitely a correlation between autism and hyper mobility ( Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which can be connected to scoliosiis). If it’s at all reassuring, there are lots of young women with both autism and scoliosis and services are used to managing this x

Crackerofdoom · 14/02/2021 20:05

Please dont worry OP. DS has scoliosis. He is very thin so you can see it quite easily. He has no issues with it at all. We encourage him to do activities which help his back so climbing and swimming and he has annual x-rays to ensure it hasn't got more pronounced, which is hasn't.

Most cases either correct themselves, don't cause issues or aren't severe enough to warrant a cast or surgery.

Original poster

Bananarama3star · 14/02/2021 20:07

No she's not autistic, I don't have any of those concerns but she has just always been bit fussy with how some things feel.

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Toocold · 14/02/2021 20:08

I have mild scoliosis, I found out in my 40’s had no idea before that except a doctor once saying my back was a bit out, I only found out as I fell over and hurt my back so had an MRI, I expect if she hasn’t had an issues it’ll probably just be exercises to help.

cptartapp · 14/02/2021 20:09

I have mild scoliosis. Never needed surgery or a brace, but when I saw a physio for back, hip and sacroiliac pain in my late 40's he found one leg longer than the other. I also suffer with plantar fasciitis ? related.
It seems to have caught up with me, but never stopped me doing anything in my youth.

Sexnotgender · 14/02/2021 20:11

My daughter has congenital scoliosis.

The surgeons are amazing if that’s what she needs. I know it’s scary but there’s so much that can be done.

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