I don't know what the current thinking is, but I was diagnosed with mild scoliosis when I was about 12 or 13. They said that since I was done growing, there was nothing to worry about and nothing to be done: it wasn't going to progress or particularly cause further problems. I think I was more bugged by the fact that I was done growing than by the fact of the scoliosis-- it meant that I was never going to be taller than my mother!

Maybe it will be the same for your daughter--just a fact about her body that doesn't require intervention.

Thanks for sharing your experience, sovra. So they said you were done growing at 12 or 13?? DD's got about 2-3 more inches to grow, acc. to estimates. She'd be very depressed if she got the news she was done...although she's already taller than I am LOL!

I'm hoping, however, that the treatment, or lack thereof, will be like yours was -- just observation, no back brace.

A word of caution in case they want to fuse; please do not go there. My daughter has 2 friends with scoliosis; both have been fused; I'm fused as well (bad disk); If I could do it again; I'd live with the pain because I'm in more pain now then what I've ever been in. One friend of my daughters just had her back fused 2 months ago; so we'll see; but the other gal who's had rods for 2 years is in pain. They had the same surgeon.

Doctors promise they'll fix you; they don't tell you about how many people have failed surgeries.

Hopefully you can find a solution that does not involve surgery.

That's what they said, Flyleft. I have no idea how they knew or if they really did, though. I'm now about average height for an adult woman in the US-- a shade over 5'4". Maybe that's how they decided.

I haven't experienced any pain specifically related to the scoliosis, so my experience has been different from Roselvr's. I do have one shoulder that's a little higher than the other and ditto for my hips, so there is a cosmetic difference. Other people don't seem to notice it unless it's pointed out. But then, who goes around looking at people for shoulder symmetry?

Roselvr's talk about fusing made me remember that I actually had read an article within the last year about at least some current thinking about scoliosis. See the link below--

Here is a link that might be useful: NYT Scoliosis Article

roselvr, thanks for sharing your hard-won knowledge...I definitely can understand what you mean about the failed spinal surgeries being somewhat swept under the rug. I'm facing the same thing wrt trigger thumb/carpal tunnel right now--do I stick with what I have or go for what's behind door #3?

The incredibly helpful article sovra posted, which is exactly what I was hoping to find but hadn't yet, offers a clear way out of the 'let's see if we can fix it' surgery concept. Being able to get a personal prognosis and then weigh the alternatives with more information is such a great step forward. Thank you so much, sovra, for remembering that piece!

I wish I knew more about my daughters friends. One was fused about 2 years ago. I don't know how bad the scoliosis was- I know her mom has spine problems & is in a wheel chair. Her friend was fused & is still in pain.

We picked up the other friend a few days ago; haven't seen her in 6 months; I was surprised to hear she had her back fused 2 months ago due to scoliosis.I wish I knew more

I was fused due to a herniation & have lived with bad back pain for years- the pain has been horrible since the fusions healed. Just about everyone I speak to that has been fused is ok for the 1st year; by the end of the 2nd year; they are back on pain killers- some get the pain medication pumps implanted- which is what I've been trying to avoid. My back hurts so bad that I can't wear pants every day.

I would hate to see a young girl just starting her life end up getting fused & be in more pain then the discomfort they had before. My pain management doctor feels there will be a medical break through for spines in the coming years.

How aggressive the treatment is depends on the degree and direction of curvature. She should continue to grow and model her bones into her late teens-early 20's.

Ay ay ay, rose--it's just such a cascade of interventions...

franksmom, thanks for your input. I'll call tomorrow and get the ball rolling.

I'm also wondering if there are any really proven exercises maybe to help the spine/strengthen the muscles on either side so that the scoliosis might resolve itself without bracing? We do Pilates as a family (mat Pilates to a DVD), and I've found a lot of Pilates/scoliosis links. Has anyone had success with this approach? Thanks very much, you all, for your responses.

Rose, in reading your reply I can feel for you with the back pain. I too had the same experience and went to a pain clinic on meds for years until Les from Home Decorating forum mentioned a book to me that her husband read and it eliminated most of his pain. It's called "Healing back pain" by Dr. John Sarno. I read the book and within a month I had 80% less pain and can even wear clothing around my waist. I urge you to read it. Try the technique even if you don't believe it. I tell every one with back pain about it and all of them have been helped. Just wanted to share.

I held back commenting here, mainly because my daughter had her scoliosis surgery at 12 and she is now almost 30, so treatment may have changed. By the time the school nurse noticed it, and ped. dr. said to just watch it, she grew more and got worse.It was too late for a back brace or anything else. BUT she had surgery with the Harrington rods put in and she is FINE. She can do anything, has no pain, and Dr. assures us she can have babies successfully. Yes, it was a horrific surgery, alot of pain the first week, but she definitely feels it was worth it. I am a teacher, and she has even talked to my students and their parents about her experience. So, for one, it turned out great!

Pat

ladypat, I'm so glad you wrote. 12 was considered too old for a back brace? Or do you mean by the time it got bad enough for one, she was, maybe 15, and *that* was considered too old?

I am understanding from your story that maybe a brace might be worth considering if the amount of curvature is less than usual...I'm also glad that your daughter is fine now, and that the surgery worked. Thank you for stepping up and sharing.

My daughter had her surgery at about 12.5. She was discovered in 5th grade (11years?) and by the time we had "watched" it for a while like the ped Dr. said, she had grown so fast it was too late for a brace, surgery was the only option. Whatever you decide, get at least 2 opinions, and don't "watch" like we were told to. At the time in Kansas City, 18 years ago, there were only 3 surgeons that did the surgery. We went to all three, just for opinions. They all concurred.

Please let us know how things are going.

Pat

Pat, thanks again for your very valuable input. I have taken to heart the recommendation to get two opinions and not just watch. We're already talking about Pilates and will be seeking out exercises to do tonight in addition to our regular DVD, and we're very lucky to be able to get one of the coveted appointments with our ped, who's in the process of retiring but still works one day a week, *next* week (guess non-emergency medical appointments aren't really big this time of year). I'll report back with what she says.

One followup question: I know it's been a long time, but do you possibly remember what the angle(s) was (were) in your daughter's initial evaluation? I'm curious as to what degree of curvature is considered grounds to intervene, and what is just watchable. THanks again.

I asked DD, and she thought the degree was "50 something". I don't remember, but I think I remember the correction after the surgery was 83% or 86%. I am sorry that is not much to go on. We just don't remember. BUt she definitly had a small curve on her back and in front the bottom of her rib cage stuck out farther than the other side. NOW you can't see that. All she has is a thin, white scar down her back. She is pretty thin, and deformities would show on her easily.

Take Care,

Pat

Pat; I'm glad your daughter had good results. I don't know why some do & some don't. I know Fly wasn't asking about surgery; but living in pain like I have makes it very fresh on my mind.

Yaya; I remember the post. I've started seeing a chiro; something I don't believe in. So far he's the only one to tell me why I'm in so much pain other then the product that was used in my 1st fusion was one that some have luck with & some don't. I may just pick the book up.

I amy or may not have figured out how to attach links, so if this doesn't work, google Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, and go to their scoliosis page. Lots of good info there.

Here is a link that might be useful: Scoliosis info

Ach, franksmom, I thought I posted a reply to this -- sorry! I must have gotten distracted at the preview-stage.

I really appreciate the link -- fascinating about the gene they identified. I'll ask about that on Thursday.

Hi folks,

We're doing a dance of relief (actually, we made a Starbucks run of relief too :)) -- acc. to our doc, DD has less than 7% scoliosis, and her hips, shoulder blades, and leaning-forward-lineup (what do you call it -- when the person bends over and you can see if any part of the shoulders or chest rise up higher than the other) all check out within normal ranges! There's definitely a *tiny* amount, but less than 7%, which is what our doc said is the level at which it's formally diagnosable. I'm just a very vigilant mom, I guess. It shouldn't affect her running, and I think we'll try to address it with Pilates, since it's so slight.

I will keep an eye on it, though, and if it gets worse I will take her somewhere else for a followup/2nd opinion. I definitely appreciate the advice -- the forum comes through once again!