My son has been complaining his back hurts for about 6 weeks.
Yesterday I took him to the GP who was really unhelpful to say the least, his reaction was the pain will go on its own to which I said its not gone in 6 weeks...he then took a further look at mentioned Scoliosis and that he would refer him to muscular physiotherapist ?!?! I looked up what Scoliosis is and that seems a pretty big statement to make...
I feel like the worlds worst dad for not going sooner...but its not about how I feel I just want the lad to be out of pain.
GP said referral will take up to 3 months !
I don't want to wait 3 months seems madness, so my options are to go to a paediatric physiotherapist and pay....
What sort of questions do I need to be asking ?
(to add my fathers partner is a physiotherapist of over 40 years she is out of the country for two weeks)
Thanks in advance from a worried dad... 🙁
How old is he? EDIT - sorry, just seen his age in the title....
Scoliosis is quite a broad thing. I've got it very slightly. It was diagnosed when I had a long period of back pain while at uni (probably due to sleeping on crap matresses).
I had an x-ray to confirm the curve; mine is side to side, not front to back at the lower part of my back and then had to go to 'back school' for 3 sessions where they taught you how to strengthen your muscles etc. It was a bit of a waste of time, but I did start my own back strengthening routine that really helped. Noeve have any issues now.
Sounds like the doc hasn't been great so far in easing your concerns, but I wouldn't worry overly about it until you get more information. It might just need a routine of regular exercises to stabilise the back and strengthen it up.
My mum had scoliosis as a child and is now having issues again since being 84. It is medical and skeletal so I think you are best seeing a specialist rather than a physio. My guess is if it looked urgent or bad the GP would be referring on to hospital . The NHS website is usually a good source of info.
My Dad (the worlds best) used to dismiss such complaints as " just growing pains " and expect us to mtfu or childtfu
I can't help specifically but my parents made the same sort of discovery when I was 7 or 8 - noticed that I don't stand quite straight. I didn't have any pain though.
I had lots of tests including X-rays and the upshot was that while I have a very slight curve to my spine, it wasn't bad enough to do anything surgical, etc about.
That said, I rowed as a sport for many years and I'm not sure that's done me any favours - that may well be a general point about the sport but it is noticeable now (to me, I don't think anyone else has ever spotted it) that I stand with my right shoulder lower than my left one and I do have some back problems - again, nothing uncommon for a rower.
I have to say, I think I'd be paying in your shoes though unless it's really bad, I suspect that they won't do much more than monitor it.
I have it to a similar degree to stumpy and like he says, there are varying degrees.
Specialist for definite, and wait to see outcomes before deciding next steps.
It doesn't sound severe to me (you'd likely notice physical attributes if anything other than more mild).
To note, GP may be totally incorrect!! Xray first.
Email in profile if you have any general questions (should it actually be scoliosis).
I was diagnosed with Scoliosis when I was about 12. Physio was prescribed and helped. I still suffer some pain now but mainly cos I don't do enough to maintain my core strength and I carry too much weight.
Wasn't much of a biggie really, don't stress too much too soon.
You can go another GP for a second opinion. Doesn't sound like yours is up to much or very dynamic.
Both our girls have it so I know how you are feeling about not knowing sooner. Katies was that bad that she needed surgery to correct it, both curves above 50% Abigale was diagnosed and wore a Spinecor brace until she stopped growing last year, both curves above 40%. They have both been in pain at time and am sure they will be in the future. We were lucky to be under Mr Breakwell at Sheffield Childrens Hospital for many years and they were both discharged last month. On a positive note it hasn't stopped them doing anything that they want to do. Katie was on a climbing wall on Sunday and Abigale is out in the Alps for most of the summer.
If it was me I would get refered to a specialist as soon as possible. I still think if Katies had been noticed earlier then the may not have needed the operation
You can go another GP for a second opinion. Doesn't sound like yours is up to much or very dynamic.
I'd be doing this.
Don't panic and don't beat yourself up!
Scoliosis does not occur overnight and does not get fixed in a day. Many adolescents have it at some stage of their growth and most don't even know. Often you grow out of it without any side effects what so ever
That said, it is worth monitoring and may be helped by some low impact exercise, pain relief etc. My surgeon advised swimming, but things may have moved on.
Rather than blindly accept the recommendation of your GP, try and get a second opinion as suggested above
The internet is brimming with scarey stories so maybe avoid it for a while. I recently found a scoliosis forum and there seemed to be a lot of sad stories/people. In case you hadn't guessed, part of my forum name is based around the fact that I have scoliosis. Mine was severe enough to require surgery, but has not had any negative impact on my life, it's just a chapter in the story.
Feel free to contact me via PM
For the cost of a consultation I'd go see an osteopath for an assessment/opinion.
Osteopaths are not quacks (imo) and will have specific knowledge on scoliosis.
2nd gp opinion be reasonable.
If he does have a curve and pain he should be seen by a spinal surgeon. Before anyone else.
Needs a specialist opinion.
James (medically inclined)
As an osteopath, I would say - back to different GP.
Thank you for all replies
We are going to take him to family friend who is also a physiotherapist and then go back to the GP with hopefully some more under standing.
Had a good look at his back last night one shoulder sits a lot higher than the other and thinking about the last few years he said his leg hurt which we and the doctors put down to growing pains, so maybe just maybe his back has been compensating for his leg hence the pain *
*of course this is just me thinking allowed...
still feel pretty rotten about it all you only want your children to healthy.
That sounds like a good plan. Your actions so far sound perfectly reasonable, but I understand that you feel as though you should have taken action sooner, don't beat yourself up though.
I phoned the GP surgery today and asked if they had sent the referral through yet and to whom, the answer was yes and they have referred
him to Musculoskeletal physiotherapy Dept.
I probably don't need to see another doctor as I'm guessing this is the same route they would take ??!?!?
Going to see Physiotherapy friend at the weekend (hopefully) though maybe we shouldn't...?? conflicting views or if they say something wrong etc. I dunno !