curved spine?

On Sat, 6 Dec 2003 19:05:34 +0000 (UTC), "Andrew"
wrote:


"Tiffany" wrote in message
...

Andrew wrote in message
...

"lm" wrote in message
...
I just got word my third grader is developing a slight curve in his
spine. They're telling me it's quite common at this age, more so with
girls than with boys, and that they'll probably just monitor it.
Anyone have any experience with this? This kid's got better posture
than any of us, and he had a thorough physical in June that didn't
show anything (the new physical was by the school physician in our new
state).

lm

Hi,

What they are probably talking about is scoliosis which is more common
in
girls than boys. Its a sideways curve of the spine so people may have a
very
upright posture but still suffer from a sideways curve. With a growing
kid
a
thing called a Boston Brace may be used, this is only used a couple of
hours
a day so not necessarily when they are at school (in case there are
worries
about peers reactions), these are apparently pretty effective in guiding
development so not necessary for long term use, the spine will
straighten.
It is a problem with adults as the brace won't help since growth has
stopped. I have no experience with kids but have slight scoliosis I am
doing
physio for at the moment as a result of some fairly hefty damage to the
body
some years back. Like your kid you can't spot it looking at me, it came
up
in an X Ray.

Don't worry over much about it, should not be a major problem at all and
may
sort itself out as well but even in a worst case you have options to
correct
it without any really drastic action.

Andrew



Worry no but definitely look into getting it corrected with physical
therapy
or look into alternative stuff.



Yeah,
Sorry lm. I guess my saying not to worry over much is unrealistic. I was
told a couple of weeks ago that my daughter is slightly flat footed and not
as physically confident as some of the other kids. I was also told not to
worry. I have since taken her to a GP, a Physiotherapist, bought her a
trampoline (they said that kind of exercise will promote her arch) and
completely new sets of shoes with nicely arched inserts. All that despite
them telling me that I should just keep a watching brief till she is 7, they
did make the mistake of mentioning all those things might help.

So like Tiff says, best for the child and your peace to get it attended to.
However its not the end of the world.

We're going to the doctor this week. I've never been accused of
worrying too *little* about my boys, that's for sure.

Wouldn't it be great if a workout on a trampoline could solve all of
life's problems? :-)

lm

On Sat, 6 Dec 2003 17:20:06 -0600 (CST), (Misty)
wrote:

Im,

Scoliosis runs in my family; both my mother and father have this and
three out of the four of us children do as well. While it is 'common',
it's still painful and I would do any and all
treatment/recommendation/follow-ups that I could. While growing up my
family didn't have much money, went to the doc only when necessary.
This condition was just accepted I guess, but as an adult I wish more
would have been done as a kid, because I have a lot of back problems -
and it's no fun! Good luck to your child!

Thank you, Misty. I'm sorry you're suffering because of it.

lm

On Sat, 06 Dec 2003 22:43:05 GMT, "Betsy"
wrote:


"lm" wrote in message
.. .
I just got word my third grader is developing a slight curve in his
spine. They're telling me it's quite common at this age, more so with
girls than with boys, and that they'll probably just monitor it.
Anyone have any experience with this? This kid's got better posture
than any of us, and he had a thorough physical in June that didn't
show anything (the new physical was by the school physician in our new
state).

lm

My son was found to have the same thing, only in 6th grade. It happens
sometimes during periods of dramatic growth. My son was 4'8" at beginning
of 6th grade (August 2002) and is now (December 2003) 5'4" and still
growing. He seems to grow about an inch a month lately. It's something to
be monitored, and the pediatrician is the best one to check with. Good Luck

Betsy

Funny it was just last week when I noticed several days in a row that
his pants were short. He's grown considerably since his physical in
June. I have heard about growing pains but assumed (erroneously) that
scoliosis was present at birth.

Is your son taller than you yet? My guys are catching up fast!

lm

"Andrew" wrote in message
...

"Betsy" wrote in message
m...

Let me tell you about no arches. Sometimes nothing helps. She may or
may
not develop an arch. I didn't. Still don't. I pronate when I walk,
and
no
amount of arches in shoes helps, because once I break the shoes in, the
arch
breaks down. Special inserts from a podiatrist are the only thing that
helps me, and they may help your daughter as she is still growing. Good
luck.

Betsy



How much hassle does it give you? Is it something that you are aware of
daily or not? Just want an idea of what it could be like down the line for
her.

Andrew



Now I am beginning to have more pain. My knees are shot, some of that is
from having been severly overweight for a number of years, but at least half
is from not having the proper support at the feet. Now my hips are becoming
involved as well. I think, if you catch it early, and keep the inserts as
she grows...she won't have the problems I do now. Then again...one never
knows.
Betsy

"lm" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 06 Dec 2003 22:43:05 GMT, "Betsy"
wrote:


"lm" wrote in message
.. .
I just got word my third grader is developing a slight curve in his
spine. They're telling me it's quite common at this age, more so with
girls than with boys, and that they'll probably just monitor it.
Anyone have any experience with this? This kid's got better posture
than any of us, and he had a thorough physical in June that didn't
show anything (the new physical was by the school physician in our new
state).

lm

My son was found to have the same thing, only in 6th grade. It happens
sometimes during periods of dramatic growth. My son was 4'8" at
beginning
of 6th grade (August 2002) and is now (December 2003) 5'4" and still
growing. He seems to grow about an inch a month lately. It's something
to
be monitored, and the pediatrician is the best one to check with. Good
Luck

Betsy

Funny it was just last week when I noticed several days in a row that
his pants were short. He's grown considerably since his physical in
June. I have heard about growing pains but assumed (erroneously) that
scoliosis was present at birth.

Is your son taller than you yet? My guys are catching up fast!

lm

Scoliosis happens when the spine grows at a different pace, or rotation than
it should. Easily correctable when caught during childhood. Kyphosis, is
the hunch back...not easily corrected, and seen in the older population.

My son is not taller than me...YET. He's 5'4" tall, I'm 5'6. Looks like
another couple of months before he reaches my height. He's already taller
than his grandmother. I just can't believe the speed at which he's growing.
He's not quite 13, and he looks like he should start shaving. I haven't
gotten that first razor yet...I was hoping to wait another year at
least...but might not be able to. I remember when he was younger, how much
smaller he was than other boys his age. He was in the lower percentile for
weight and height. Now he's on the higher end. I don't think his brain has
caught up with his feet yet though. LOL!

Betsy

Andrew wrote in message
...

"Betsy" wrote in message
m...

Let me tell you about no arches. Sometimes nothing helps. She may or
may
not develop an arch. I didn't. Still don't. I pronate when I walk,
and
no
amount of arches in shoes helps, because once I break the shoes in, the
arch
breaks down. Special inserts from a podiatrist are the only thing that
helps me, and they may help your daughter as she is still growing. Good
luck.

Betsy



How much hassle does it give you? Is it something that you are aware of
daily or not? Just want an idea of what it could be like down the line for
her.

Andrew



I know avid runners who are flat footed.

"lm" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 5 Dec 2003 23:14:57 +0000 (UTC), "Andrew"
wrote:


"lm" wrote in message
.. .
I just got word my third grader is developing a slight curve in his
spine. They're telling me it's quite common at this age, more so with
girls than with boys, and that they'll probably just monitor it.
Anyone have any experience with this? This kid's got better posture
than any of us, and he had a thorough physical in June that didn't
show anything (the new physical was by the school physician in our new
state).

lm

Hi,

What they are probably talking about is scoliosis which is more common in
girls than boys. Its a sideways curve of the spine so people may have a
very
upright posture but still suffer from a sideways curve. With a growing
kid a
thing called a Boston Brace may be used, this is only used a couple of
hours
a day so not necessarily when they are at school (in case there are
worries
about peers reactions), these are apparently pretty effective in guiding
development so not necessary for long term use, the spine will
straighten.
It is a problem with adults as the brace won't help since growth has
stopped. I have no experience with kids but have slight scoliosis I am
doing
physio for at the moment as a result of some fairly hefty damage to the
body
some years back. Like your kid you can't spot it looking at me, it came
up
in an X Ray.

Don't worry over much about it, should not be a major problem at all and
may
sort itself out as well but even in a worst case you have options to
correct
it without any really drastic action.

Andrew

Thank you Andrew. I appreciate the information. Would you mind telling
me whether you have any pain or discomfort from your scoliosis, or
whether it has limited your mobility at all?

lm


Hi lm,

I was having some back pain over the past few years hence the X Ray which
showed up the scoliosis. I don't think the scoliosis alone was responsible
for the discomfort as physio has dramatically reduced it (the pain) and at
the moment I am free of any back pain. My mobility is not impaired by it at
all despite compression fractures on some of the disks of the spine. As you
have caught it in your child early I am pretty certain that you will be able
to correct it if needs be and that it will be sorted out once and for all,
just a laymans opinion but every thing I have heard, read and experienced
makes me think your child will be 100% with monitoring and any corrective
action that experts feel is necessary now.

Andrew

On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 08:43:23 +0000 (UTC), "Andrew"
wrote:



I was having some back pain over the past few years hence the X Ray which
showed up the scoliosis. I don't think the scoliosis alone was responsible
for the discomfort as physio has dramatically reduced it (the pain) and at
the moment I am free of any back pain. My mobility is not impaired by it at
all despite compression fractures on some of the disks of the spine. As you
have caught it in your child early I am pretty certain that you will be able
to correct it if needs be and that it will be sorted out once and for all,
just a laymans opinion but every thing I have heard, read and experienced
makes me think your child will be 100% with monitoring and any corrective
action that experts feel is necessary now.

Andrew


I'm glad that your PT has helped you. I've seen a chiropractor for
some chronic shoulder pain and it's amazing what the right exercises
can do.

I've taken my son to see his pediatrician, who measured everything and
explained everything to him and to me (he's a great doc in that he
talks directly to -- and listens intently to -- the patient, even when
the patient is eight). One leg is 1.5 cm longer than the other, which
has thrown everything off, hips, back, and shoulders. At this time
he's recommending a heel wedge insert for his shoes, but nothing more.
He ordered x-rays to confirm (we haven't been to the radiologist yet).
Once we get those, and the true degree of the curve, I will probably
get a second opinion. Thanks again for all the info you gave me.

lm

"lm" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 08:43:23 +0000 (UTC), "Andrew"
wrote:
I've taken my son to see his pediatrician, who measured everything and
explained everything to him and to me (he's a great doc in that he
talks directly to -- and listens intently to -- the patient, even when
the patient is eight). One leg is 1.5 cm longer than the other, which
has thrown everything off, hips, back, and shoulders. At this time
he's recommending a heel wedge insert for his shoes, but nothing more.
He ordered x-rays to confirm (we haven't been to the radiologist yet).
Once we get those, and the true degree of the curve, I will probably
get a second opinion. Thanks again for all the info you gave me.

lm

lm,

Glad it was useful. Remember, Bruce Lee had one leg significantly shorter
than the other ( I don't know exactly how much but got a feeling it was
certainly more than 1.5 cm). He stunned the world with his physical prowess
and no one would have called him physically impaired so do bear that in
mind. Also please recollect not a one of us is exactly symetrical. Good luck
and have a happy festive season.

Andrew

I am 15 years old and I have curved spine I get physical therapy for it and
it helps!