Bad Backs Discussion Forum

Hello,

I'm a 20 (almost 21, next week!) college student who was diagnosed with Scheuermann's when I was about 14 years old. I'm from Oklahoma, and have been to several different doctor's around my area. Some have said I have kyphosis, some say I don't have scheuermanns, and some say I do. After reading exactly what it was, and seeing my MRI, I am certain I have scheuermann's. I have been to physical therapy, seen a chiropractor, worn a brace, and have been religiously working out in a gym to strengethen my back since I was 16. Nothing has helped me, and surgery has been out of the question for every doctor I've seen. This is the most helpess feeling know that I am in constant pain, and constantly scrutinized for having "poor posture" and not to mention the embarressing cosmetic side effects. The doctors have basically suggested: don't get fat, and don't start smoking, you'll live. Thanks?

I guess I'm writing this out of frustration, maybe to get some support from someone that can relate, or some advice..

-Traci

I was diagnosed with this dreadful condition in March.
I have had to accept that it will never 100% go away, neither will the pain.

There are 3 main changes I made which make a difference

1) swimming - now pain free and stretches everything
2) Tempur mattress - better sleeping
3) Automatic car with lumbar support

The best of luck

Richard

Traci,

You say that surgery has been out of the question for every doctor you've seen.

3 things.

1: Maybe they wanted you to finish growing before surgery became an option. Often doctors will not explain why they are saying what they say unless you ask. Perhaps another trip to the Dr is in order. It is fairly common to wait on a corrective surgery for Scheuermann's until the patient is in their early 20s.

2: Maybe you're not seeing the right doctor. Are you seeing a spinal deformity specialist? Having been diagnosed with Scheuermann's, it sounds like maybe you have. Maybe not the RIGHT doctor though.

3: Do you know what the severity of your curvature is? Often a doctor won't consider operating until it gets past 65 or 70 degrees and should agree to monitoring it regularly to see if it progressing like mine did.

I say these things because I went undiagnosed until I was 39 years old (though I knew what was going on due to personal research). At 40 I had corrective surgery for a 110 degree curvature in my spine and have almost fully recovered a year later. 25 years of pain because no one would listen to me or believe that I was in pain. They called me lazy and told me to stand or sit up straight.

That's behind me now and I can feel that the chronic pain will be mostly, if not entirely gone. Still some undoing of 25 years of terrible deformity to undo doesn't happen overnight, so if you can address the issues while you are young, all the better.

Stay as active as you can. Stretching and core excercising along with swimming, rowing, cycling and anything else that keeps you relatively in shape are all good for you and will help you combat the curvature that is pulling you forward.

I hope this helps. Know that the surgery is extreme and painful and will sideline you from normal life for several months or more. I was a rare case of needing 12 vertebrae fused via 2 surgeries and then a complication required a reconstructive plastic surgery. But I'm mountain biking again now and almost back to full activity!

Best of luck and I hope you are not truly "Stuck with Scheuermann's". You shouldn't be.

Scott

I was diagnosed with Scheuermann's when I was 16 had surgery done when I was 17 my curvature was 85%. The surgery was the best thing I have ever done. I am 43 years old now and have done what ever I wanted thru my 20's and 30's. Played volleyball twice a week rode Motorcycles etc. There was definetly pain thru out my life but nothing like in my teens. I had it done at *** Edited By Bad Backs Support ***. Surgery certainly worked for me now I do have some lower back pain (arthritis) as I get older but I can keep up with my 3yr old son play, run, roll on the floor ground etc everything a little boy wants to do with his dad. As the weather here in WI changes it affects my pain level I do use pain meds when it gets too bad but not everyday. I have two rods numerous clamps screws etc they removed a rib on my left side and used it to fuse my upper vertbre when they took the discs out. It was a 9 1/2 hr surgery back in 1987 I was out of commision a couple of weeks. I hope my sharing can help you there are options out there for you and surgery was the best for me you dont have to be "stuck with scheuermanns" keep looking for the Dr that can help you best. Good Luck JIM

*** Please refrain from publishing the names of hospitals, surgeons & doctors as this violates our forum rules & guidelines. Thank you Bad Backs Support.

That's behind me now and I can feel that the chronic pain will be mostly, if not entirely gone. Still some undoing of 25 years of terrible deformity to undo doesn't happen overnight, so if you can address the issues while you are young, all the better.
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