Is my back pain caused by scoliosis?

[caz]

How severe does scoliosis have to be before it causes back pain? I've read some stuff on the internet which says that scoliosis doesn't cause pain unless the curve is in the 'severe' category - is this right?

I am a 39 year old woman with lower back/right hip pain - I have had this problem for years, getting progressively worse over time. My chiropractor took x-rays and found I have scoliosis and a tilted pelvis - he says this is the cause of my back pain. However the NHS doctor I saw at an Orthopedic Triage Clinic didn't even examine me for scoliosis, just saying that I 'looked quite straight'! He is right that I do appear to be straight, but I also have some of the outward signs of scoliosis - ribs higher and sticking out more on the left side, shoulder blade sticking out more on the right side etc. But because I wasn't obviously crooked, he refused to examine my back without my top on, dismissed my concerns about scoliosis and just referred me to a physio for 'simple back pain'.

So can anyone tell me:

Does mild/moderate scoliosis cause back pain?

And is there any point going back to the doctor and asking him to examine me for scoliosis? (Maybe there is no point since I believe the curves don't tend to progress in adulthood) Or maybe its best to wait and see the physio and see what she says - I think I would have more faith in her than in this doctor, who seemed to be very off-hand!

Thanks for your time :-)

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[neuromuscular]

i'd just like to add my experience of having scoliosis surgery! unfortunately i was one of the unlucky ones who needed surgery in my teens (13 to be precise). My curvature degree was 98 before surgery and was reduced to just 45 after surgery. I no longer have any back pain and look as straight as anyone else! I have also had my rods in for 7 years now with absolutely no problems and i also know plenty of people who haven't had any problems with them!

i have not taken part in things like gymnastics and contact sports as i was advised not to by my consultant, however, i have been on rollercoasters, i own a motorbike and i do part take in activities i shouldn't lol

i think it depends on the individual but my consultant assured me it would be very unlikely that my rods would break or that i would ever need them removed.

i do agree, however, that people have said its not done for pain alone, the surgery is very long and the recovery isnt exactly easy!!!

if you can cope with the pain without resorting to surgery i would, its changed my life but i was told that as my curvature was so bad (had tipped my heart and restricted my breathing) that i probably wouldnt have survived!!

Dear Lynz;

I am glad for you that yours was successful.

The pamphlets and information available that one patient of mine brought in suggested that less than one third will get pain relief benefits as would the lecture by Dr. Hamilton Hall.

Surgery is very important for those who it will benefit. My caution is that the patient make an informed decision.

Best regards,

Neuromuscular

[Lynz]

Totally with you on the idea of her making an informed decision (i'm a third year medical student), just wanted to add my positive experience so she can see that there might be a light at the end of the tunnel from having surgery!

to be honest when i had my op, i had the best guy in the country as one of my consultants, so maybe i was lucky with my surgeons!

let's hope that someone can lessen her pain, its not nice to have back pain!

[neuromuscular]

Totally with you on the idea of her making an informed decision (i'm a third year medical student), just wanted to add my positive experience so she can see that there might be a light at the end of the tunnel from having surgery!

to be honest when i had my op, i had the best guy in the country as one of my consultants, so maybe i was lucky with my surgeons!

let's hope that someone can lessen her pain, its not nice to have back pain!

Dear Lymz,

I could not agree more. I was told as a youth with back pain by a surgeon that unless I had the surgery, I would be in a wheel chair in ten years. That was 1977.

I am not in a wheel chair and very much mobile.

A physical therapy worked for me and numerous patients that I have seen.

However, that is not everyone as I have had less than one per cent that did need surgery. The problem as I see it with the physical approach is that assessment has to come a long way.

Hope you time as a med student is productive and all you hoped for.

Best regards,

Neuromuscular