bent spine

[JuicyLucy10]

ok i started the thread on the horse riding position but tonight i saw my gp about her back who initially got very sarcastic and said 'AND?' and didn't see it as a problem until I actually got very upset and managed to say i thought it was better to have it checked as i could see there was a problem with the way it looked - its not in the middle and her shoulder is lower than the other side.

So he did look and yes he said her spine is not even - i don't know where its gone wrong, he told her she won't 'die' from it but to keep the weight off and to swim a lot. No offer of x ray just to double check there is no major problem. I am now a hell of a lot more worried than when i went in!

Any idea what the next step is - i have read a bit and i did think that they kept an 'eye' on uneven spines in case they developed further.

We have a large history if scoliosis and other bone problems.

I would see a different GP. Scoliosis is in my family too, and as DD is 11, its something I am keeping a watchful eye on.

ask for a referral to a paediatric orthopaedic specialist

MBS may be right...it'd very hard to feel reassured if you are not confident with your GP. Many teenagers have a non serious mild curvature which doesn't develop, but if it is new (or, tbh, in any case!) you should ensure she has a full exam by a GP or physio you feel you can trust...and make sure they know about your family history of such problems

Definitely get a second opinion. My brother had scoliosis and had corrective surgery at 15. He had quite a significant hunch by this time.

Second opinion!!!! GP sounds an ass frankly:( and you want it looked at and X rayed asap...

Just sharing our experience.. my DS2 was supposed to be having an op yesterday. His spine has bent and he had one leg longer than the other.. they monitored for ages and then decided to stop the long leg growing to give the other a chance to catch up and hopefully straighten his spine in the process....

Only when they did the final pre op x rays yesterday..with DS2 starved for 12 hours.... they found it was too late.. his growth plates have fused:( SO his legs and pelvis are now permanently wonky and he has to see the spinal surgeon instead. His growth plates fused in the 3 months he waited for the op:(

If they had acted earlier we could have sorted his legs and avoided this...

Please go to another GP and demand a referral to orthopaedics..

I'd ask for another opinion if you are worried.

That said my mum, me and a cousin have scoliosis, mum had surgery, cousin is undergoing physio therapy etc at the minute, mine wasn't pronounced enough to require treatment other than minding it and working on my posture. So they might be right.

thanks guys - will go and ask for another one - just working out if we will stay at that surgery as we aren't too impressed generally.

Definitely go see another Dr. I've just had scoliosis correction surgery. Photo's are on my profile if you fancy a look.

Tell them you are not happy with the "treatment" and advice and you want a second opinion.

Second opinion definitely - insist that you see an orthopaedic specialist on backs. There is a window of opportunity around puberty when things such as bracing can reduce the curvature significantly and reduce the need for surgery - and even if the specialist doesn't want to do anything they can monitor it.

Referral, referral, referral! Orthopaedic back specialist is the way to go. GPs are not experts, but they can write referral letters. Tell him firmly. Don't waste time on a second GP unless he absolutely refuses to write the letter. But if he does refuse, then another GP will need to do it for you.