h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: A short introduction to scoliosis - A13387476
Author: LibrarianPear - U2218784

Hello all,

Please could you have a look at my latest offering? It's supposed to be short, and quite general, but if you think it's too short or too general please let me know!

Thanks,

LP

Hi! I had a brief read through it and I like it (not being a big fan of hugely long entrys myself ) I'll try have a more detailed read after I've woken up a bit more and had a few more cups of coffee looks good on first read through though

Thanks 2legs!

LP

Couldn't see anything wrong with it from what little I know of the condition (a close friend had the rods that were put in to correct the condition taken out about 2 years ago).

minor typo:

may get bullied my ---> may get bullied by

Would the physical effects include such things as breathing difficulties?

Other than that:

Hallo LP!

Just one quick note. Guide entries, by their definition, are 'short introductions', so the title should just be 'Scoliosis'.


Good work!

RE : Would the physical effects include such things as breathing difficulties?

Ignore me! I somehow didn't read the bit you already have about breathing

Not sure if this is information that helps or not...

When they don't know the reason they term it 'idiopathic scoliosis' and the body braces are called spinal jackets or more correctly TLSOs (Thoraco-lumbar-sacral orthoses) these are created from plastermodels or occasionaly CAD devices by an orthotist.

I had it, so this is something I can comment on with some authority. Mine had no discernable cause, but apparently it sometimes happens if you grow too quickly, too early, which may have something to do with it mainly affecting girls. It was detected during a school examination, though I had absolutely no idea before then - there were no obvious symptoms.

I had the op over 20 years ago - I think it was all pretty new in the UK at the time. They took bone grafts from my hip to make shims to insert between the vertebrae. The metal rods are only there to hold it straight while the bone fuses (about 9 months), but they don't do any harm so they just leave them in. There were two "L" shape rods crossed and held together with what looked like chicken wire on the X ray.

The only lasting effects are the foot or so of spine that doesn't bend (I can't do crabs, but hey), ocassional lower back pain (this bit does all the bending) and the best scar of all my peers.

The entry is very good and accurate as far as I can see. It is perhaps a bit short, but then I would say that .

There are various societies and help goups you could link to (Google it):

http://www.sauk.org.uk/

http://www.liv.ac.uk/HumanAnatomy/phd/bss/bss.html

I had Harrington rods inserted about 25 years ago (here in the US) and my experience was essentially the same as Dave Blackeye's. I had them removed about 2 years after the surgery because I managed to snap one of them in half, which I did not find out until my annual x-ray.

I also recently experienced a herniated disk in my lower spine diagnosed as due to severe spinal stenosis. It was explained to me that this is a somewhat common occurence in spinal fusion patients due to the years of stress of carrying the additional bending after the rest of the spine is fused.

Ouch! I never knew they could snap!

I sometimes wonder about the extra strain - I only get mild pains now but it's sure to get worse. I've never talked to anyone else with a similar condition before.

Coincidentally, I had an appointment this morning with the Orthopedist who has been treating me since I herniated the disk. I was moaning about how I still had occasional twinges and muscle weakness in my leg. He basically said I better suck it up and get used to it because I will never get back to 100%. I do daily core strengthening exercises, which I will probably have to do for the rest of my life. That beats riding around in a scooter!. He highly recommends Pilates for core strengthening. And I should call him if the pain gets so bad that I can't walk! Then we can discuss more invasive treatments, but not until then.

Feel free to start a thread on my page, Dave, if you'd like to further compare notes and not bother these nice folks in peer review.

OK, as you were everyone.

Thanks all for your comments. Will make the required changes asap! I have scoliosis, but have never had any treatment for it other than orthopaedic exercises, which weren't too successful as I was a teenager at the time and had no self-discipline! I regret not doing them now though...

hows this coming?

Ooopps sorry I haven't done any more to this yet - busy days at work and too sleepy in the evenings. Will try this week or at the weekend.

LP

Hello,

Have now made most of the changes suggested... What do you think. Thanks to those who made suggestions.

LP

Looks good to me.

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