BlueTaelon Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 I'm going over my radiology report I got this morning and I understand whats going on with my lower back but I'm a bit lost on my mid and upper back. It says: Mild to moderate right convex mid thoracic scoliosis is identified, Cobb angle measuring 9 degrees. Mild left convex upper thoracic scoliosis is identified, Cobb angle measuring 7 degrees. Impression: Mild to moderate right convex mid thoracic scoliosis and Mild left convex upper thoracic scoliosis is noted. ---- So its saying I have Scoliosis? But when I google it it says you need at least a 10 degree curve to even be at mild scoliosis. When I was trying to understand the report and whats causing my pain the PA got snappy with me and said I "didn't need to understand it!" and that "it was written to the Dr for them to understand it" and did I want to go to PT first or the surgeon first? I don't like the PA but my regular Dr was booked for 2 weeks and with the pain I'm in I don't care who I saw as long as we figure out the cause. She didn't even offer me pain relief or anti-inflammatory's:( Anyway, do I need to worry about this in your opinion? Would the scoilosis be the cause of my upper back often feeling like the spine is being compressed? Suggestions beyond talk to your less then helpful Dr? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 I'm going over my radiology report I got this morning and I understand whats going on with my lower back but I'm a bit lost on my mid and upper back. It says: Mild to moderate right convex mid thoracic scoliosis is identified, Cobb angle measuring 9 degrees. Mild left convex upper thoracic scoliosis is identified, Cobb angle measuring 7 degrees. Impression: Mild to moderate right convex mid thoracic scoliosis and Mild left convex upper thoracic scoliosis is noted. ---- So its saying I have Scoliosis? But when I google it it says you need at least a 10 degree curve to even be at mild scoliosis. When I was trying to understand the report and whats causing my pain the PA got snappy with me and said I "didn't need to understand it!" and that "it was written to the Dr for them to understand it" and did I want to go to PT first or the surgeon first? I don't like the PA but my regular Dr was booked for 2 weeks and with the pain I'm in I don't care who I saw as long as we figure out the cause. She didn't even offer me pain relief or anti-inflammatory's:( Anyway, do I need to worry about this in your opinion? Would the scoilosis be the cause of my upper back often feeling like the spine is being compressed? Suggestions beyond talk to your less then helpful Dr? I think I would be calling to talk to the actual doctor instead of the less than helpful PA. I would also be talking to the doctor about the PA's attitude. Any degree of curvature can cause pain. But, you are correct in the degrees they are giving are not even outside normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueTaelon Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 I think I would be calling to talk to the actual doctor instead of the less than helpful PA. I would also be talking to the doctor about the PA's attitude. Any degree of curvature can cause pain. But, you are correct in the degrees they are giving are not even outside normal. I would if I could but were moving out of state and we will be gone by the time she has an opening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 (edited) Both are true. You have scoliosis if your spine is curved, and even a mild curve causes pain and a cascade of painful effects. I know, because I live with it. Drs do not consider scoliosis to be clinically significant unless the curve is greater than ten degrees. My mild curve has cascaded into further effects such as bone spurs, nerve damage in both hands, and a bulging disk. My husband's mild curve (a little worse than mine, actually) has not caused him any problems, though. With such a mild curve, surgery is not a good option. The very best thing you can do is aggressive physical therapy. Find a PT who is sports oriented and who will make you work hard enough so that you actually sweat. You will notice over time a satisfying build-up of firm muscle AND more importantly, as your back gets stronger your pain will noticeably decrease. You will also find chiropractic adjustments really, really help with this condition. The curve represents an ongoing "injury" to the body, so the body is always stressed at that area. The chiropractor will help break up the gridlock, and the physical therapy will help your muscles be strong enough to hold things in place. If you search my name on this board, you'll find more explanation. I have had many, many medical professionals tell me my problems are "not that bad." They are just used to dealing with people who have much larger problems. That doesn't meant that the pain you feel from your mild scoliosis is in your imagination, though. Finally, you have my utter sympathy for dealing with that nasty PA. YOU are the one who lives in that body, and you are the one living with this pain. You are not a whiner, and she should not belittle that, nor she she be so impatient with your legitimate, reasonable need to understand the report. YOU are paying her (and your dr) and you have a RIGHT to a full and complete explanation of EVERYTHING pertaining to your body.:grouphug: Edited October 26, 2012 by strider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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