What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is an abnormal curve of the spine (backbone). With scoliosis,
the spine isn't straight. Instead, the spine is crooked and curves to the side.
On an x-ray, the spine of a person with scoliosis looks more
like an "S" or a "C" than a straight line. Some of the bones in a
scoliotic spine also may have rotated slightly, making the person's
waist or shoulders appear uneven.
If the spine is very crooked, the ribs or hips may stick out more on one side
than the other side. Also, one shoulder may be lower than the other.
Scoliosis may begin in childhood but often is not noticed until the
teenage years. In most cases, the exact cause of scoliosis isn't known.
It seems to run in some families. Scoliosis is more common in girls than in boys.
How can I tell if my child has scoliosis
Look at your child's spine to see if it curves or if it is straight.
Also check to see if one shoulder is lower than the other.
Many public schools check for scoliosis in the 5th or 6th grade.
Your doctor may also examine your child for scoliosis at a regular
check-up. Your doctor may be able to tell if your child has
scoliosis just by looking at your child's back when it is in
different positions. Your doctor may have your child stand
and bend over to touch the toes. Sometimes x-rays help
show the curve in the spine.
Does scoliosis cause any problems?
In most people, the curve in the spine is so small that
it causes no problems. Scoliosis doesn't usually cause
back pain. In severe cases, the curve may restrict the
amount of space available for the lungs and heart to work.
How is scoliosis treated?
In most cases, no treatment is needed. Your doctor will
check your child regularly to make sure the curve isn't
getting worse. Sometimes a brace is worn to keep the
spine from curving. Newer braces are light and less
bulky than old braces. Most braces fit under the
clothes and are not visible.
Will my child need surgery?
If a brace doesn't stop the spine from curving,
surgery may be needed. During surgery, the bones
in the spine may be moved and joined together to
strengthen the spine, or a rod may be placed in
the spine to straighten it.
My Story
I was diagnosed with having scoliosis when I was 16 yrs. old. I noticed something was wrong because I always had a slight limp when I walked and also, when my mother hemmed my pants, one pant leg would always be shorter than the other.
My mother was in denial of course as all parents want to think their children are perfect. Well one night when I was going out, I put on my rain coat and pulled the belt tight around my waste and that is when she went "OMG" she could finally see that my hips weren't even. She then called my dad to see if he saw the same thing and he did.
That following week we made an appointment to see a specialist. He first measured my legs and one was 1/2" shorter than the other. He then had me stand up, bend over and touch my toes and that is when he saw the curve in my spine. He then made an appointment for me to go to E.I.DuPont Childrens Hopsital in Delaware. They specialized in Scoliosis.
Trip To The Hospital
Well the following week I made my first visit to the
hospital. The doctors there measured my legs and took several x-ray's of my spine. They found I had a 25 degree curve. The next step was to decide what action to take.
It was decided that I would have a spinal fusion. They would take a bone from my left hip and fuse that bone along my spine, others have rods place along both sides of the spine. I would be put in traction for a week to stretch the spine for the surgery. I was also taught how to stiffin my body after the surgery so that when they turned me to prevent bed soars I would not tear my stitches out, until I was put in my body cast. A month later I was scheduled to be admitted for my surgery.
Day Of Admittance & Traction
I had a head harness with 5 lb. weights and a hip harness with 10 lb. weights. I would have to do what they called "red ropes". Now you must be asking what are "red ropes". Well what is does is when I stretch my legs out I am lifted up off of the bed and count to ten and then lower myself back down on the bed. I had to do this once every hour for 8 hours out of the day, I could never come out of the traction only for 1 hr. to get a bath then get back in it. Needless to say after the second day I was ready to go home but one of the other girls in my room convinced me to stay (lol). After my week of traction it was time for the day of my surgery.
Surgery & Body Cast
When I woke up from surgery I was in I.C.U. for 3 days with oxygen. I had an incision from my shoulder blades down to my buttucks. Every 3 hours they would turn me from my side, to stomach, to back and so forth to prevent bed soars. After I was moved out of intensive care, it was time to get my body cast put on.
Now this was an experience. What they do is put you in traction again to make sure your spine is lined up properly and then they start wrapping you. The cast started right under my arm pits down over my hips. I had to lay in traction until the cast started to become cool. I looked like a football player (lol). They cut the stomach area out on your cast so you have have expansion to breath and eat. The cast weighted 30 lbs. so it was an adjustment for me to learn to walk with all this weight. I remained in the hospital for another 3 weeks until they felt I was able to go home. I had 3 cast changes during that time due to my weight loss. I went in weighing 135 lbs. but by the time I left I weighed 103.
Going Home
I was not allowed to ride in a car for 6 months, so I was transported home by ambulance. My mother had to take care of me like a baby which was sort of embarrassing, since I was not able to take care of myself far as bathing and the bathroom. I would wear sweat pants and shorts to lay around in all day. I had to sleep in a hopsital bed which the Fire Company in our township let us use.
This is what I looked like in my cast. I had to wear shorts or sweat pants.
Every month I was transported by ambulance to go back for x-rays and also to make sure my cast fit properly. I had a few more body casts changes during my 10 months in the cast.
The cast was removed after 10 months and it was another adjustment of not carrying all the weight, plus the body swells after being restricted for so long.
Out Come
After all is said and done the surgery went well and my curve is completely gone. I gained 3 1/2 inches more in height after the surgery. I have gone back a few times over the years just to make sure nothing has changed. They especially wanted me to come back after I had a child, since carrying a baby applies alot of pressure on the back.
The procedure today is nothing like what I went through but wanted to share my story with you anyway. I hope you found it interesting. Please as a parent check your child for Scoliosis. If I hadn't had the surgery the doctors said I would be crippled and in a wheelchair by now.
Here are some links for more info.
Non-Surgical Scoliosis Treatment
Question about Scoliosis
7/31/05 UPDATE-Latest Treatment
Shriner's Hospital Has Breakthrough Treatment For Scoliosis.
Spinal Stapling Can Correct Curvature In Some Patients.
Experimental procedure called spinal stapling. By putting a staple over on this side you can temporarily arrest the growth of the spine on that side, allowing this side to continue to grow.
To qualify you must have less than 45 degree curve and still be growing.
What Types Of Cases Are Treated At Shriners Hospitals?
Some of the most cost common orthopedic problems treated at Shriners Hospitals are:
* Scoliosis (curvature of the spine).
* Oseogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease).
* Hand problems.
* Limb deficiencies and growth problems.
* Orthopedic problems of spinal bifida with myelodsyplasia (paralysis of limbs due to faulty congenital development of the spine and spinal nerves.
* Orthopedic problems resulting from neuromuscular disorders.
* Legg-Perthes disease (development problems of the hip).
* Rickets
* Orthopedic problems of cerebral palsy.
Shriners Hospitals for Children, Philadelphia unit
3551 North Broad Street
next to Temple Children's Hospital
This is an awesome site that everyone who has
or knows someone with scoliosis should see.
Erika has an amazing story and with amazing
results that could possibly work for you or
someone you know out there. So please take a look.
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