dd with "humpy" back - worried

[figroll]

I have just noticed that my teenager has quite a humpy back - very rounded, with shoulders forward. She has always been a bit of a slouch, but I am worried she is becoming more hunched as she grows.

Anyone any experience? I think I might take her to the doctors but am I panicking unnecessarily?

Do they still have checks in school for scoliosis (curvature of the spine)? They used to do them when you were about 13.

I'm not saying that this is what she has but if they still run the checks they might identify if she has a problem or not then.

She hasn't got scoliosis - I can see that because her spine is straight vertically. That is why I am a bit hesitant about taking her to the doctors, because she clearly doesn't have scoliosis. I just wondered if anyone has experience of this type of curvature - sort of humpy.

I don't think they see the school nurse, well or if they do they keep it a secret!!

Thanks for your reply.

Even if it's just poor posture rather than something like scoliosis, the GP can refer her to a physiotherapist who can give her exercises to improve her posture - or you can find a physio yourself and ask for advice. Poor posture would be easier to correct now, while she's young, than later on.

I speak as someone who was a humpy, round-shouldered teenager, and who now has appalling posture which I've found almost impossible to correct!

Maybe the school nurse doesn't visit at that age anymore then - I just thought it would be a chance for your DD to be seen more informally.

If you are worried though there would be no harm mentioning it to the GP. They might suggest some help with her posture (eg. exercise from physio).

Hopefully someone here will come along who has experienced this before

X'd posts with you WWB

bump

You've had good advice (for which, as an aside, you might have said thank you rather than just bumping and ignoring), and I'm not sure there's anything else you can do other than take her to the GP or a physio.

There is a condition which can start in the teenage years called Kyphosis, which causes an exaggerated curvature of the spine - it usually causes pain too but you don't say if your daughter experiences pain. If you are concerned then see the GP.

Thank you Annie Q very very much indeed for your really helpful advice. I too can use google, hence I had already heard of this condition and yes she does have pain. I had thanked someone who replied already, I didn't know I couldn't bump a message without the thanking part, but will of course remember in future. Thank you again for being so helpful.

From a worried mother who was hoping for some support from another mother who may have experienced the same thing.

Take her to the GP figroll. It does sound as if she might have a bit of a kyphosis - it can be caused by one vertebra (back bone) growing more on one side than the other, but often just needs a bit of physio.
I've got a funny back too, and have never bothered to do anything about it. Its a bit late to sort out now, but I really wish my Mum had got me some physio when I was younger as it makes me a bit self-conscious wearing strappy tops etc. Do your daughter a favour and get her to sort it out now!!

Yes I plan to. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow. If he tells me I am being silly, then so be it. It doesn't seem normal to be getting back ache at 14, so hopefully he can refer her to a physiotherapist, or someone like that.

Thansk for your reply.

if your GP thinks she has a kyphosis, then she will be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon, though, most times they don't recommend surgery at this age.

Round-shouldered-ness is quite common in rapidly growing yound people, especially as, with the popularity of computers/ playstations, they spend less and less time running around and stretching their muscles. If you do get to see a physio/ surgeon, ask them to check her hamstrings, surprisingly, these can cause a pelvic tilt, which can contribute to a slouch.

In the meantime, encourage her to go swimming, or any other physical activity.

I don't suppose she does ballet?

look here

The page concentrates on Scheuermann's disease, which it is HIGHLY UNLIKELY she has- it is probably a "postural kyphosis"

Although it is unlikely that it is, don't just discount scoliosis. Not all curves run side to side. Some can go front to back.

yes, but front-back curves are called kyphosis. Side to side curves are called scoliosis

You can have a kyphosis with rotation which wouldnt necessarily show up as a true scoliosis. Have you watched the way most teenagers carry their rucksacks? Either on one shoulder (almost guarenteed to cause scoliosis) or on both shoulders but with the straps lengthened to the max so the bag is virtually skimming the ground. Add the fact that half of them carry all their books for the week rather than just for the day so they dont have to think about organising themselves..... I've tried lifting some bags and nearly fallen over backwards! Why is it not cool to be comfortable? Just tightening the straps would make such a difference (and while Im ranting, how about doing up shoe laces as well).

She does do ballet, actually, and this is when I noticed her curved back because when she stretches upwards her back seems "prominent" sort of. I am trying to encourage her to do some more exercise because she is getting lazier and lazier as she gets older - I suppose most of us do!

I used to work with children who had scoliosis and I know the suffering that they went through. I am sure it is different today (this was about 20 years ago), but the turning and plaster casts and bolt on head frames was quite frightening. I think this is why I am worrying so much about it. Thanks for your advice

I agree about school bags - I am sure that I didn't carry all of my books around with me. I have made sure that she has a comfortable rucksack with 2 straps, but she does have them so long that the bag almost reaches her knees. Ha ha - kids these days!!

Plaster casts and braces aren;t used for scoliosis anymore, because they don't work, so don't worry. Physio and surgery in extreme cases is the answer, but it does sound more as if your daughter has either a kyphosis, or just bad posture as you say.
Good Luck tomorrow

Hi, I am a dad so hope you ladies don't mind me joining in the "chat". I am 34 and have Scheuermann's kyphosis. I saw many consultants and gps when I was younger and had my discs "manipulated" back into place many times. I only got diagnosed with Scheurmanns Kyphosis, after years of pain, when I was approx 28. My back was straight. I was advised that each disc was angled different ways and I had made my spine straight by forcing myself to stand and sit straight.
I have undergone various operations which I would Recommend to anyone, as the pain was so bad I could not lift my baby children, but within a week or two of my operation, I held them for the first time.
My constultant, as good as he is, recommended alot of resting at first. I DID NOT LISTEN. My physio advised fighting through the pain and keeping active, especially SWIMMING and ROWING. This keeps the muscles tight around the spine and helps maintain the posture. In turn, it actually reduced the pain.
If your son or daughter has a spinal problem, but you are unsure, remember that ( and proven ) about 90% of GPs have NEVER encountered Scheurmanns, and thus DONT acknowledge the complaint. Its just brushed off as general back pain or you are refered to to get it "clicked" back in. This has now been proven to cause even more wear to an already stressed and weak disc.
STRESS to your GP that you want to see a physio or an actual Orthapaedic Consultant to get a second opinion and he HAS TO, BY LAW, contact the hospital to request an appointment. Don't be put off.
I had Xray after Xray, and got told nothing wrong. My Orthapaedic Consultant made me have an MRI which immediately showed three snapped discs in my back. Xrays are useless.
I am now enjoying life, and my family life has never been better.
If you or your child has back pain, try to keep moving and active.
Hope this helps anyone reading. I have tried looking on the web for scheuermanns kyphosis and apart from the hospitals and gps, etc, their are hardly any links at all.

Hi, I know this was yearssss ago now, I was just wondering what the outcome was, thanks in advanced