Chronic Pain
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Thu, 07/02/2009 - 17:16
Help with Kyphosis
Hello,
I'm a 27 yo who was just diagnosed with kyphosis. I am told that the pain i just started suffering is going to be permanent, and that all i can do from now and on is take pain medications.
They say the brace does not work after reaching skeletal maturity (age 15-16).
Is there really no way to fix the actual curvature after that age? what if i wear the brace and then somehow strengthen the muscles around the spine at the same time for, say, a year. Will that work to hold the spine in a new position?
I just really hate to look like this plus live with the pain forever, you know :-\
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or maybe use a brace and then take a growth hormone treatment/session or whatever they call it. I wonder if that would work
Hello and welcome! I'm sorry you have been given such a prognosis! I have no personal experience with your condition, but have you done research on Kyphosis? I googled it and there are many websites that can help you understand it and learn more about possible options.
Also, have you talked to more than one doctor/gotten a second opinion? It is never a bad idea to do so, as not every doctor/specialist is all-knowing, as much as we'd like to think so!
I wish you the best, and hope that you will continue to post!
~kat (my posts are from my own experiences only, I'm NOT a Doctor!)
(user error?)
"Whyme" previously known (or unknown) as "Jusserfinn"
Where did my sig go?
For some history, I guess just click on my name
Hi - sorry to hear about your problem - I was diagnosed with this in my 20's and had cervical fusion to correct it but I guess it depends on how bad the kyphosis is but if I were you I think I would just go for a second opinion to be sure nothing else can be done. Good luck.
Hi Robospine,
Due to Ostearthritis and the collapse of my cervical spine I developed kyphosis and like BarMc I had a multi-level fusion to correct it. I was also experiencing nerve damage so I had other reasons to have the fusion done ASAP. I am almost 2 years post-op and my posture has been restored to somewhat normal. Keep researching your problem and ask other opinions.
Take care,
Ranger
You're so young - I'm hating that for you.
I wasn't told much of anything about the reversal in my neck - other than it's a source of pain. I've googled a bit trying to find out *how* I should hold my neck to decrease the damage and pain. Not sure it's possible - but I'm going to keep looking.
I'll let you know here if I find out anything.
Regards,
Jasro
(2004) Fibromyalgia - disabling.
(2009 Cervical MRI):
C3-C4 disc protusion w/mild indentation on thecal sac.
C5-C6 moderately severe foraminal narrowing; disc bulge w/mild indentation on thecal sac; reversal of lordosis (aka Kyphosis).
(2009 Lumbar MRI):
Mild Levoscoliosis.
L3-L4 mild hypertrophy of facet & lig. flavum.
L4-L5 moderate hypertrophy of facet & lig. flavum; disc bulge.
L5-S1 partial tear of annulus; disc bulge in contact w/L5 nerve root; prominent facet & lig. flavum hypertrophy; moderate foraminal narrowing; lumbar canal stenosis.
Misalignment & displacement of sac joints.
2 sacral perineural cysts.
S1-S2 dehydration of nucleus.
Meds: Cymbalta, Ibuprofen (daily), Vicodin (as needed), Valium
Thoracic spinal fusion is the best option for people above the diagnosis age of 11-15. Usually, surgeons try brace the patient and get them to build the muscles enough with PT that they will grow straight instead of forward. I would honestly say that surgery is your best option. Kyphosis is a progressive spine disorder and will never correct itself unless it is postural Kyphosis, but from the sounds of it, yours is structural kyphosis. That means that the kyphosis doesn't go away when you lie down. It doesn't straighten out or feel better. Yes, pressure is relieved because you don't have to support the wedged vertebrae but your spine does not actually straighten. Pain will be lifelong, even with exercise since that will not change the actual spine or bone. 2 months of pain (almost definitely less than what you are experiencing now on a daily basis) is nothing compared to a lifetime of being self conscious, scared, and in that agonizing, burning, aching pain.