Teenager with Scoliosis?

[OrangeRoark]

I'm sixteen years old and I'm a high school junior.
I have scoliosis and I'm told it's the shape of an S. One of my shoulder blades stick out but thats the only thing that is evident when somebody examines my back. Though my legs and arms are slightly not equal, I look pretty normal. I think my spine is bent about 30 degrees, but I'm not sure exactly sure how many degrees it's actually bent. I met many doctors who told me I don't need surgery, but I really want to because I have so many sudden pains in my body and I can't sleep without laying on one side - which is bad for my back. My back isn't going to get worse, the doctors said....but wouldn't a surgery just solve my problem of random, killer pain in my body?
Why won't they let me have surgery? They tell me it's okay, but it's not like THEY'RE feeling how much pain I have to live with everyday.

[icoyounis]

I was 14 when I was diagnosed, I went to a lot of doctors and at the beginning they recommended swimming, dancing, and physiotherapy. However, in my case the curvature was getting worse until more than one doctor said I needed surgery. I was just like you, I thought surgery would fix it all, but before my surgery my doctor -May God highly reward him- discussed all the possible complications of the surgery and I got the idea that it's risky, adding to that the healing process isnt an easy one, it involves about a month of lying on your back and sitting for half an hour becomes a treat , my family was vety supportive -thankGod- but I can't deny that I was very very demanding eventhough they never issued a word of complaint, the wound resulting is a big one, and you get titanium rods with screws put in your back, so you experience limitations to your activities for a  while, for example I couldn't make sujood -in my prayer as i'm muslim- for a few months. I just want to show you that a surgery is serious, sorry if it sounded too scary, I mean I am really thankfull to Allah that I have undergone it, as in my case it was necessary and I had no other choice, so since you don't need it refering to other treatments would be helpful, also if ur not convinced with ehat your dr says, ask for other opinions, any effort you do will be helpful -Godwilling-, and take care of your body that God has blessed us with..
T.c my scolisis friend :)

[Tailzz]

I also have scoliosis and got diagnosed at age nine. I have a brace and although slightly uncomfortable, they do help. At one point my bottom curve was 39 degrees and I would have had to have surgery if my next brace didn't work. Braces can make miracles happen. After 3 months, my bottom curve was back down to 20 degrees. I would suggest getting a back brace If you don't have one already and if you don't, try it. I've had my brave for 3 yrs now and would strongly reccomrnd it for someone with a severe curve like yours.

Stay strong xx

I would be happy to talk to you further If you need to.

[sk123]

If you have further questions, you may also want to sign up for the health chat tomorrow. A specialist on back pain from Cleveland Clinic (one of the best hospitals in the country) is answering questions for free for 1 hour.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_chats/register/43

[sk123]

If you have pain because of the scoliosis, your doctor(s) should consider some options that would help you alleviate the pain. Your doctors may be reluctant to do surgery because you may have stopped growing. Your spine should not continue to get worse (higher degree of curvature) if you have stopped growing. Typically, they test for this by taking an x-ray of your hand. If you doctors say that your back isn't going to get worse, they probably believe you have stopped growing.

My sister had surgery for her scoliosis, while I did not. She was a special case in which the curvature continued to worsen after she stopped growing. I was the typical case where my back was not getting worse. Her surgery consisted of having a metal rod implanted next to her spine and metal screws to hold it against the spine. It was a very serious surgery and one that took her out of sports for a while. Neither of us had any pain from our scoliosis. If this is the type of surgery your doctors would pursue, it wouldn't improve your back, only prevent it from getting worse. So if you're not getting any worse, then this type of surgery would not help you. There may be other types of surgeries that can help your back pain, but this is the only one I'm familiar with.