X Ray Wednesday?

"JGrabowMSt" (jgrabowmst)
08/20/2014 at 12:57 • Filed to: xraywednesday

This xray is actually over 4 years old. That black line down the middle is where the spine should be.

Scoliosis is a bitch. Very painful.

DISCUSSION (12)

OPPOsaurus WRX > JGrabowMSt
08/20/2014 at 13:14

dude u have no idea. when I went in for cat scans, my spine was such an s curve that it wouldn;t fit in a single image and the had to shift me left then right.

JGrabowMSt > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/20/2014 at 13:16

This wasn't a cat, so I have no idea what they'd do with me for that. I have 3 distinct curves, lower and two upper. The two upper curve differently and sharper than the lower.

Heated seats are the best. I feel so much better for a while after taking a drive.

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > JGrabowMSt
08/20/2014 at 13:32

My grandmother lost 6" to Scoliosis, so I know the effects.
Can strengthening you back muscles help at all?

JGrabowMSt > TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW!
08/20/2014 at 13:41

most of the pain is caused by nerves, so as a blanket answer, "not really."

There is however, something called Myoskeletal Therapy, which is essentially a split between yoga/pilates and massage therapy. Unfortunately however, you really need to have health insurance cover it, and many wont. Out of pocket, it's very expensive.

My insurance wont cover it, so I try to get into the whole yoga thing with my girlfriend, but usually i'm not really feeling it...

OPPOsaurus WRX > JGrabowMSt
08/20/2014 at 13:41

what are your curve numbers? I had an upper curve around 75 and a lover around 80. After the surgury they both sit arruond 25

JGrabowMSt > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/20/2014 at 13:45

I actually don't know. I'd have to go back and get it checked. That xray was about 4 or so years ago, so it's definitely changed.

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > JGrabowMSt
08/20/2014 at 13:48

But, can a strong back help keep, and potentially restore, the spine where is supposed to be? Or is the damage already done?

erikgrad > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/20/2014 at 13:49

What surgery did you have, conventional modern spinal fusion?

I had Harrington rods going the length of my spine, from near my neck down to the beltline. Ended up with damaged hardware, had to have it removed after 5 years, and now have nothing for the last 15 years. At 39 years old, the curve is starting to catch up with me...

Those curve numbers sound very familiar, I had something along those. With the hardware in, I was 3 inches taller.

JGrabowMSt > TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW!
08/20/2014 at 13:50

As far as my understanding of this goes, the damage is not "fixable." It can be alleviated and to a point, corrected, however it will never go back completely.

OPPOsaurus WRX > erikgrad
08/20/2014 at 13:53

yea i grew an inch I think, it was only done a few (~10) years ago. I think it was the more modern with just 3 vertebrae and screws

D > JGrabowMSt
08/20/2014 at 14:12

Dude, if you are ever in the position to get operated on then do it. I had scholiosis so bad that once they were done operating on me, I was two inches taller. I can't even imagine continuing to live in that world of pain. Surgery took a full year to recover from and cost $350k (insured though) but there's nothing I am more glad about in life than having been treated.

JGrabowMSt > D
08/20/2014 at 14:47

When I reach a position where I can do that, it's on the to-do list. Just one surgery for my girlfriend comes first.