Is this scoliosis ? DD 17

[doormatrevolution]

I feel awful that I've never noticed this before , but DD mentioned she thinks her "back isn't straight" and when I've had a good look and feel her alone seems to have quite a pronounced curve - I've tracked her spine with a felt tip and shocked at the curve in it

I will ring the doctors on Monday but wondered if anyone can put my mind at ease !

Alone should read spine

The test for scoliosis is to get the person to bend over and touch their toes. You’ll see any curvature that way. If there is a curve it deffo could be scoliosis I’m afraid.. x

@Dontsayyoulovemetheres an obvious curve - I feel sure that I would have noticed this before ? She can't have always been this way, or maybe it's worsened and now it's obvious.
She's really worried poor thing

I know someone who has a mild form of it, and it’s not really noticeable or anything, and has no impact on their life really. Obviously needs confirming with GP, but I don’t think it would be something you would be looking out for or would necessarily notice.

Scoliosis can develop during adolescence, so it probably wasn’t there when she was little, and it develops gradually. Looks like it does need looking at, though - orthopaedic surgeons see it all the time, they’re the people she’ll be referred to. Do ring GP tomorrow, get the ball rolling

We have seen the GP for the same this week. DD15 mentioned her rib cage stuck out on one side, we’ve never noticed anything but the GP said there is an obvious curve so will refer her.

She said it’s common between the ages of 10-16 for this to happen during a rapid growth period, where I can feel DDs curve she actually has some stretch marks too.

Please get this checked! I have scoliosis and my back is awful, I have to take strong pain killers most days. I wish I knew/saw someone when I was younger.

I'll be ringing doctors first thing Monday, can something to be done to avoid issues when she's older ?

I've recently been diagnosed with scoliosis - GP initially did the touch your toes test and then referred me for an xray.

They may suggest braces or even surgery after that. Mine isn't as pronounced as your daughters and I've been given physio and core strengthening exercises to do for now.

It's very normal for it to develop in adolescent- your daughter is in the absolute typical time for it to be noticed so don't feel bad you didn't notice it before.

Don't blame yourself for not noticing. It's hard to see through clothes and pyjamas. The school health service used to check for it when I was at secondary school. I think when they stopped checking they should have started advising parents to check rather than just hope people might notice through their clothes.

Sorry I hadn’t seen the pictures when I posted. Yeah, the GP will refer and then I’d guess discussions around surgery will be had. I developed scoliosis when I was 13… it progressed slowly so never had surgery. But the worst part for me is my appearance.. it really affected my self esteem.. I hate shopping for tops , jackets/coats, swimming costumes and dresses.

We didn’t notice my daughter’s until she was 24. She’s 28 now. They are taking no action as it’s not causing her any problems.

She has already mentioned that she's really self conscious about her shape :( it's all making me feel really sad

good you are getting her checked.

it might still be at a phase where physio can be enough.

does she wear a (heavy schoo) backpack on both shoulders or does she wear it on one or a bag?

all the best.

@bloodredfeaturewallshe left school past year and has an apprenticeship that doesn't require a heavy bag anymore , she always wore a stuffed full bag on one shoulder though. She had a cleaning job recently and complained alot about back pain

As PP have said; it depends on how ‘bad’ it is. But see what your GP says.

Back pain in all three pregnancies and after. Back bothered me a lot at times. Aged 66 got much worse. MRI showed scoliosis. I'm on a raft of pills, walking stick. I wish I'd known as a young person

DS 19 developed his later after very rapid growth spurt. Now has regular physio after painful episode

Yes, definitely scoliosis. Too late for bracing as she will likely be fully grown by now, but for a management/reduction option, would recommend Scoliosis SOS. It's not cheap, but my 10 year old daughter has been under their team since she was 7 for a mild postural curve that could become scoliosis in the future if we don't keep on top of it. It's been brilliant.

Next step would obviously be to see the doctor for assessment of the curve so you know what you are dealing with. Then you can look at your options. Best of luck, it's so scary when you realise something is 'wrong', but there are definitely things you can do to help this. x

Here are some progress photos of my little girl before and during her treatment. We still have to do exercises 4 days a week and will do until she is fully grown, but it's worth it to protect her spine. Obviously hers was/is mild and hadn't yet progressed to 'true' scoliosis but most of their patients are teenagers and adults on the moderate to severe end of the scale and I believe they have a very high success rate reducing people's curves and managing associated pain. Just something to think about.

@AleynEivlysthabks for that I will look them up and enquire - your little girls improvement is impressive.

I've got a gp appointment for DD tomorrow to start the ball rolling

Hope you'll post again when you know what's what. I really feel for you. My girl's curve is different in that it's due to a slight muscle imbalance and poor posture, but they do think this is how scoliosis starts in many cases, eventually leading to the spine ossifying around adolescence in the wrong position. It's literally the only time my paranoia and anxiety has come in useful, or I'd never have picked it up.😅

They have clinics in Bristol and London that I know of (possibly other places also) but can also work with clients remotely. I don't know if it's the same sort of information and process a regular physio would provide - they are very thorough and if you can attend a clinic they do a scan to give an internal picture of the spine, and use a scoliometer so they know exactly what needs to be worked on. We only attend every six months now, and they tweak the exercises depending on what has changed as she grows. The change in her body has been amazing.

DD was seen today and GP agreed suspected scoliosis, she's having neck and spine X ray tomorrow and a referal to oethapeadics at the hospital being made.

How is your daughter feeling after the GP appt? How are you feeling? How long until you get an ortho appt, ant idea? X x

Hi @Dontsayyoulovemethank you for asking - we’ve had the results from xray which are confusing , seems she has a double curve and also rotation. We’ve paid for her to be seen privately for an initial consultation, she’s seeing the specialist tomorrow where I’m hoping to get some more answers x