Scoliosis in adults

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Does anyone have any experience. I've recently been diagnosed, never had any symptoms it was accidentally picked up. I'm waiting for a referral to spinal orthopaedics to see what they decide. I'm just feeling really anxious about the whole thing

If it was an incidental finding then it's likely nothing to worry about, just something to keep an eye on. Do you get any back pain?

Thanks for replying @bearlyactive

No, no pain, maybe just a little bit discomfort every now and then but nothing I would even think about if I didn't know.
Before lockdown I used to do classes at the gym, HIIT, body pump and now I'm wondering if they could be bad for it

Bump

Just bumping

I was diagnosed at 19 - am now in 50s.

I was advised to avoid sports that put direct impact on my back like horse riding, trampolining (which I was doing a lot of at the time). But other than that it has had no real impact on me. I do HIIT classes at the gym (when open!), Pump classes etc.

The only time it was really an issue was when pregnant and planning to have an epidural - they wanted copies of my x-rays so they could see which part of my spine was worst affected and avoid that area.

Thank you so much for replying @FanSpamTastic that's reassuring. I have had 2 pregnancies and it was never picked up then but I didn't have an epidural. I'm just hoping it doesn't progress and I don't need surgery. What part of the spine is yours

Mine is the lower part of my spine - between my waist and tail bone - the lumbar section.

Yes mine was picked up during an MRI scan for a herniated disc about 10 years ago, but weirdly not related. Apart from having terrible posture in ballet as a child I didn't know I had it!
My scoliosis is only a problem if I am on the computer too long and I get a painful hump which comes and goes- all sorted with a TENS machine, acupuncture or physiotherapy exercises.

Thank you for replying. It's good to hear it doesn't cause any problems for you both. I made the mistake of googling (even though GP told me not to) and read all sorts. It hasn't bothered me before so I'm hoping it stays that way for me.

I have it - found out as a child and makes me look very wonky but just ok enough not to need surgery. I get pain if I am lazy about exercise but with lots of Pilates and other exercise (I tend to run, cycle and do a little ballet) it stays strong enough not to need painkillers. The only time I now really notice it is flying as stuck in one position for hours can be bad for it. So core exercise has been really good for me (and others I know with it) to keep it strong and pain free. Where mine is means my insides are a bit squashed - so I had to have a c-section when I had my DD and smear tests take a while but that is it. There is a scoliosis society you can look up who have lots of advice but if you are only noticing it now I'd imagine you have been stable for years and don't need to google anything scary!

Thank you @Pleasegotosleep01 for your post. It has calmed me down as I was a bit upset after googling about it.

That's good that you can exercise, I'm hoping to start Pilates again after lockdown and read that that could help.

I'll have a look at the scoliosis society - thank you

Just bumping again...

I was diagnosed in my late teens and spent much of my 20s in pain. But then it eased off and I only get occasional pain. But I also have hyper mobility, sacroiliac joint dysfunction and osteoarthritis- so am spending my 50s in pain!!

@PaperMonster sorry to hear you are in pain - do you take anything for this? Can I ask where your curve is. I'm also worried about osteoarthritis as it runs in my family

My curve is lower back. I just take cocodamol, remain mobile - sitting and driving aggravates it - Epsom salt baths help too.

@PaperMonster

My curve is lower back. I just take cocodamol, remain mobile - sitting and driving aggravates it - Epsom salt baths help too.

my curves in the lower back too. soaking in a bath really helps with the pain so does swimming. I'm also taking cocodamol and amitriptyline for the pain but never pain free.

Thank you for replying. Mine is upper back, just noticed it aches a bit in the morning but once I have done some stretches it helps. I also have a bath in Epsom salts. I just wonder if i have always had it or if has just happened

I have just had this word used in reference to some back pain I’m experiencing.

I think I sort of knew - like others, it was first referenced when I was being given an epidural with DC1.

I have been having lower back pain and so was referred for an x-ray last week. My GP called me up yesterday and said it was scoliosis.

I am going to go back into her to find out next steps.

Hope you are OK OP.

Mine is also much worse when I stand still. So on the sideline of kids’ sports, making dinner. It gets really quite painful.

Moving about is absolutely fine. Maybe I just need to keep moving!

Thanks for your reply @Five67Eight it's nice to hear from some mild cases rather than the scary google ones I read.

It's funny because if I hadn't had chest X-ray for something unrelated, I'd never have knew, but now they have told me I've started feeling it in my back (or maybe it's just my imagination).

Do you have an appointment with GP for next steps? When GP phoned me she presumed I'd known about it! She then said she would refer to orthopaedics but they might not even want to see me, depending on what they think/how bad it is. It's just the waiting for me that's making me anxious and now I'm constantly checking my back and asking DH to check and if he can see.

So I went to the GP for back pain and she sent me for a couple of x-rays. One revealed the scoliosis, and the other revealed a fibroid in my uterus, which has apparently grown.

I now need to have an ultrasound of that, and then I’ll go back and we’ll be addressing next steps for both.

I don’t think it (the curvature) is something you can necessarily see from the outside. I have to admit my imagination was running wild as to possible causes of back pain, so when it turned out to be ‘only’ this, I felt somewhat relieved.

I don’t think you’re in any immediate danger - so try not to worry while you wait to see your GP (believe me, I know easier said than done).

OP, it seems scary at first but don't panic. I was diagnosed as a teenager and got a few rounds of physio. Mine is a result of EDS, which causes me way more problems than the scoliosis. I do quite a bit of sport: triathlon, cycling and running up to half-marathons. Swimming (but crawl not breaststroke) is great for it and I just pick softer surfaces to run on and only run twice a week, but, again, I think that's mainly because of the EDS. The more muscle I can build the less I am affected by it.

My mind is boggling at the poster told not to do horse riding - I ride every day (sometimes for several hours) and it is the best thing for my back by far!

My scoliosis was diagnosed in early twenties after my first child. It's a double curve mainly affecting lower back. No surgery required at all. I'm now 38 and the only problems I've had are stiffness in lower back and chronic headaches due to musculoskeletal.

I would recommend daily stretching!

Try not to worry, if you are not in any pain then I'm sure your chat with the GP will just talk through what curve you have.

Thank you so much for your reassuring replies.

@someonelockthefridgealready that's really good to hear that you can carry on with sports.

@wineandsunshine do you have any check ups to check on the curve?
It has got me wondering how long I've actually had it and never knew about it or if it has gotten worse since having children

No check ups at all - I think unless it flared up then it's not really necessary and I've had four children naturally with no problems.

Good luck op and I'm sure you will be fine x