what the heck is scoliosis?
915716
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine.  If it gets bad enough, it can change the shape of your chest cavity, and eventually make it hard to breathe right.\n\nHere's a picture of really bad scoliosis:\nhttp://erikdalton.com/newImages/scoliosisgirlback.jpg\n\nAnd here's one of milder scoliosis in an adult:\nhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/images/ency/fullsize/1728.jpg\n\nIt's too bad that your doctor didn't have time to explain it to you.  Here's a site that will give you more information:\nhttp://www.iscoliosis.com/\n\nHope that helps.
602706
Massage and yoga. Both are extremely effective. I have friends that have tried and they had scoliosis before. It is perfect now. Perfect back. I STRONGLY recommend it
1006146
If your shoulders slump forward and you slouch, that curve is called a kyphosis. Posture has a lot to do with it, sometimes genetics do as well. There are certain diseases that cause an increase in that curve or a "hump" in your upper back. But assuming you are healthy then you just need to increase your muscle tone in your mid back and the back of your shoulders, and do some chest stretches to be sure you aren't rolling your shoulders forward. Don't slouch when  you sit and don't sleep with a lot of pillows under your head.
407348
The best idea you cold explore would to have a look at MacMaster Hospital or Henderson in Hamliton. I know it is a long way but they are fantastic hospitals that are closer than travelling to Toronto. You might also want to see if there is an information website about Scoliosis. Also try Telehealth Ontario or contact the Ministry of Health if your doctor cannot provide you with a proper health facility to accomodate your needs. Hope I was helpful
901908
Try sleeping on your back. If you don't sleep on it it will have more time to heal. I don't think it is the scoliosis. I have scoliosis and it doesn't hurt. Do you go to a chiropractor? If so, your last visit could have moved something new that has hurt your shoulder. Emptying out your backpack was a good move: it relieves some of the stress. \nTry taking Advil to take down inflammation.
1046049
you just answered one of my questions and decided to check out some of the questions you posted, which iam now glad i did. when i was 17 , me and my twin were diognosed with scoliosis( curvature of the spin) we both needed to have the harringtons rods put in to staighten our spines. which were placed on either side of our spine about a foot long apeice. it was a tramatic sergury but i thank god everyday i had it. no more pain, i can do anything no limitations except for now i sit up real staight ...ha ha.., and yes if i hadnt had the surgery i wouldnt be here today. the  curve was starting to push against my heart and liver and if that happened i wouild have died. so i thank god everyday for doctors.
427824
The spinal column is made up of a number of bones named vertebrae. The spinal cord and nerves innervating the body and limbs pass through these vertebrae.\n\nPotts disease refers to tuberculosis of the vertebrae. Percival Pott, a great British surgeon, described this disease so well that succeeding doctors have used his name to define it.\n\nAs with other organs and tissues in the body, the vertebrae are also subject to disease. When the tuberculosis bacteria (called Mycobacterium tuberculosis) invade one or more vertebrae, they damage these bones and make them brittle. The pus and fleshy tissue (termed granulations) produced by this disease can press upon the nerves and spinal cord that pass through the vertebrae and cause partial or complete paralysis of the body.\n\nPotts disease is thus a serious illness and needs prompt and prolonged treatment. When the vertebrae are still intact and where there is no compression of nerves or spinal cord, treatment consists of drugs to kill the tuberculosis bacteria. These drugs have to be taken for a long time for successful eradication of the infection. It is also important not to injure these fragile bones.
837025
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature to your spine.  It is usually checked for in children and can be corrected by wearing a specially made back brace and/or surgery.  If not corrected, it can become life threatening in severe cases.
801384
An underlying disease that affects the neuromuscular system, a leg-length discrepancy, or a birth defect may cause scoliosis. Scoliosis can also begin in a fetus during fetal development. Congenital scoliosis is a type of birth defect that affects the development of the vertebrae and often occurs with other congenital problems.\n\nScoliosis runs in families and may involve genetic (hereditary) factors. But researchers haven't identified the gene or genes that may cause scoliosis. Doctors also recognize that spinal cord and brainstem abnormalities play a role in some cases of scoliosis.\n\nScoliosis isn't caused by poor posture, diet, exercise, or the use of backpacks.
347284
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine.  I myself have mild scoliosis and have been weightlifting / bodybuilding for over 20 yrs without any adverse problems.  For the most part bodybuilding will actually be good for your condition since it will strengthen the muscles that support the spine.  Be sure you work your abdominals and your low back.  Let pain be your guide.  If you are able to perform these exercises without causing any pain, either during the exercises or after, then you will be okay.  Finally, if the curvature of your spine is severe, then you will want to avoid heavy weightlifting.  If you are unsure of the severity of your condition, see your doctor or a physical therapist (NEVER a chiropractor).  Good luck!
154779
What is scoliosis?\nScoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine, or backbone. The bones that make up the spine are called the vertebrae. The degree of scoliosis ranges from mild to severe. Patients with milder curves may only need to visit their doctor for periodic observation. Persons with more severe scoliosis may require treatment.\n\nWho develops scoliosis?\nPeople of all ages can have scoliosis, but this article focuses on children and adolescents. Of every 1,000 children, 3 to 5 develop spinal curves that are considered large enough to need treatment. Adolescent idiopathic (of unknown cause) scoliosis is the most common type and appears after the age of 10. Girls are more likely than boys to have this type of scoliosis. \n\nSince scoliosis can run in families, a child who has a parent, brother, or sister with idiopathic scoliosis should be checked regularly for this condition by the family doctor.\n\nIdiopathic scoliosis can also affect children younger than 10 years of age, but this is very rare. Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis appears in children between the ages of 3 and 10. Early onset or infantile idiopathic scoliosis, which occurs in children less than 3 years old, is more common in Europe than in the United States.
770622
I go to the chiropractor for scoliosis and TMJ. The first week I hurt because my muscles and spine were moving. It is completely natural for you to hurt. I took ibuprofen to take away some of the pain. After a couple of weeks you won't hurt anymore. That is, unless you miss a visit! ;-)
41298
It's cool;\n\nDystrophic calcification is the mineralization of soft tissue without a systemic mineral imbalance. This occurs as a reaction to tissue damage, including as a consequence of medical device implantation.
1186814
As a 28 year old young woman with scoliosis I have a lot of experience with back pain. The fact that the pain is radiating down to your thigh makes me think it is related to you sciatic nerve. What I have found the most helpful is yoga and pilates. The controlled movements of yoga not only strengthen your back and abdominal muscles but they also provide flexibility and stretching to the core muscles that have a huge influence on spine health. I am looking for a yoga class right now for this very reason. After physicians keep telling me to simply take ibuprofen/aleve/etc... It can get very frustrating. Especially when none of those drugs can touch the pain! I wish you the best!
62949
depends on what you are talking about.  Straighten, like a spine with scoliosis?  There are surgeries for that, and Pitts. actually has great IOM techs that will moniter your spine surgery so you aren't left paralysed. So I guess I need more info to better help you.
594407
Yes, I've had a couple patents with severe scoliosis.  Both did experience more than the usual challenges common during pregnancy.  But predicting how severe those challenges might be is not something that a responsible professional would attempt without seeing the two of you in the office. \n\nIn your case, it is not at all unreasonable to talk to a specialist BEFORE you actually start to plan a family.  Both women I mentioned did manage to carry and deliver healthy children, though both required caesarean section.  Both did need adaptive means to help them with infant care, and both families did succeed in raising those children.  Yes, it was exraordinarily demanding on both parents, as it probably would be on you and your wife.  But help is available.  You two just need to start the ball rolling with a visit to your doctor.  Hey, we health professionals ain't just about fixing what's broke - we're here to help it not get broke, too!  Good luck to you and your beloved!
391939
Hi lauren152291,\n\nI also have scoliosis. When I was younger I wore a hellish back brace for 2 1/2 years 24/7. In my case the curvature progressed. Two years ago I had scoliosis surgery. I was 18 and had an "S" curve (56 thorasic & 68 lumbar). Dr. Munish Gupta at UC Davis in California was my surgeon. He did a WONDERFUL job! 12 vertebrae were fused and 3 (only looks like 2) titanium rods were put in to straighten my back. It worked! I was so scared of having surgery. Scared of what could go wrong. My fears did have merit as things can go wrong, but if I could go back and do it all again, I would! I now wish I had had surgery sooner. I even LOVE the scar down my back (and the small one from the bone graft on my hip) and gained about an inch in height.\nAnother testament to the fact that the surgery was a success is that fact that as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I do not accept blood transfusions. With a surgery this big one tends to loose blood, but because my surgeon agreed to use bloodless surgery equipment it was no problem! Everything went perfectly. I have also been in two major car accidents since my surgery and nothing broke or was damaged. I also actively ride horses, swim, and do everything I did before the surgery (ok, I do MORE now!). I have even been told I can go bungee jumping and on roller coasters if I want! hehe\n\nFeel free to contact me if you ever want to talk about surgery or anything. I’ve been where you’re at and its nice to have someone to talk to.