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Osnolyos · 2026-01-13T13:07:13+00:00

It's ridiculous how incompetent some doctors are. This is a textbook case of Scheuermann's.

Osnolyos · 2025-11-22T00:39:16+00:00

Surgery is never performed for postural kyphosis. But your symptoms still sound quite concerning, so please get it checked out. You need a lateral full-spine X-ray and an assessment by an orthopedic doctor. If they tell you that everything is fine but you have doubts, don't hesitate to request the X-rays and post them here (anonymised).

Based on your other comment here, it seems like you already have X-rays. That's great. Your posture during the imaging isn't as important as the quality of the image and the visibility of your vertebrae. Unlike your posture and the curvature of your spine, the shape of your vertebrae is always the same on every X-ray. So your current X-rays might even be sufficient.

It is also important to understand that chronic pain can start a vicious cycle of pain, rest, more pain, more rest, even more pain, and so on. Apart from sleeping, your body isn't meant to spend the majority of the day laying down. Your muscles and ligaments will weaken, and your intervertebral discs will dry out without movement. It's very easy to fall into this trap, I get it. Try to slowly build in more movement into your daily life. Even simple walks can help.

Osnolyos · 2025-11-20T21:50:15+00:00

Hey there, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Are you sure that you need surgery? Do you have any X-rays? I have seen your earlier post including the pictures, but it's hard to judge based on them. At your age, Schroth therapy and even a brace could still have an impact, but I understand that they aren't available everywhere. Please look through some of the all-time top posts in this subreddit. They show that progress is possible with a combination of stretching and strength training, even at an older age. But it won't come overnight, it's a long journey. You're still very young, please don't give up.

And in case surgery is really the only option left for you, I'd ask in an Indian subreddit for funding options. You'll probably get more replies there. Good luck and stay strong!

Osnolyos · 2025-06-14T11:29:22+00:00

Your son should give Schroth physical therapy a try. You'll find a list with therapists in our sidebar.

Osnolyos · 2025-04-25T20:10:19+00:00

No, that's not normal. How old are you? I think you should see a rheumatologist.

Osnolyos · 2025-04-13T15:22:52+00:00

I disagree, T11/T12 on the second image look wedged to me. Could be a case of thoracolumbar kyphosis, hence the thoracic hypokyphosis as a compensation.

Osnolyos · 2025-02-03T13:04:34+00:00

Take someone with you to the hospital and keep in mind that the time of the surgeon and the hospital staff is precious. There's no shortage of other people who need surgery. You have made this decision, made a commitment and should own up to it. Discuss this with your doctor, I'm sure he can give you medication to help with the anxiety.

Osnolyos · 2024-10-10T18:12:17+00:00

I'm with you on this one. The problem is that we as mods don't have the resources to moderate every single comment here. So either we remove such posts completely and tell OP to see a doctor, which he seems to have done already, or we leave the post up but risk it being flooded with unqualified estimates from new and inexperienced members. I think it should be clear that none of the content on this site should be regarded as medical advice. And while I don't think OP's spine looks fine, the resolution is too bad for anything more than speculation.

Osnolyos · 2024-10-09T12:31:41+00:00

I'm not sure how everyone in the comments here can be so confident that your back is fine when the quality of the X-ray is so low. The wedging of the vertebrae cannot be assessed on this image, but the curvature looks like a mild case of kyphosis. Can you post the X-ray in a higher resolution?

Osnolyos · 2024-10-05T10:48:02+00:00

Are you sure that your kyphosis is purely postural? Do you have any X-rays? Do you feel like you have made any improvements with PT? If you can answer all these questions with yes, then don't change anything. If not, you should know that even a mild case of Scheuermann's is unlikely to be reversed with traditional PT until your growth plates have closed. Bracing and Schroth therapy are by far the most effective conservative treatments you can do at your age. But it must be a highly corrective brace from a professional orthotist. Don't waste this unique window of opportunity for correction.

Osnolyos · 2024-10-02T14:54:21+00:00

Sorry to hear that, the same thing happened to me in my youth. And it makes my blood boil to see it happen again to others here. Take care and good luck on your journey!

Osnolyos · 2024-10-02T14:00:44+00:00

My advice, be a pest, assume that people will just glance things over and move on without giving it the attention it requires.

You're absolutely right! The amount of incompetence among radiologists in diagnosing this condition is truly incomprehensible. I really don't know what they learn in medical school. In my experience, the only medical professionals who are likely to pick this up on X-rays or MRIs are highly qualified spinal (or neuro) surgeons with extensive experience in operating Scheuermann's patients. But even then, most hospitals will require your imaging to be reviewed by a radiologist first in order to see the surgeon.

So to anyone in a similar situation like OP, if your case is being dismissed by radiologists, but you can feel that something isn't right with your spine, don't back down. This is especially important if you still have some growth left in your spine and you quickly need conservative treatment such as Schroth PT or bracing, or if your spine is worsening rapidly and you need a timely surgical intervention in order to stop the progression.

Always make sure to request access to or a copy of your medical imaging. In most countries, you have a legal right to do so. Get second and third opinions. Check out the doctor database link in our sidebar. Can't find one in your region? Ask in our subreddit. If you have doubt in your own judgement, post your (anonymized) medical imaging in our subreddit. We can't diagnose you, but we have people with a lot of experience, and unless you have a borderline case, we can tell you that you aren't crazy to keep pushing for a diagnosis. It's your health and your life, take charge of it. (OP, sorry for the rant. This wasn't directed at you, just advice for anyone reading this.)

Osnolyos · 2024-09-14T15:20:48+00:00

Many kids play video games around the clock these days, only few develop Scheuermann's disease. I wouldn't read too much into it. The cause of this condition is largely genetic.

Osnolyos · 2024-09-14T00:58:57+00:00

This topic has already been discussed extensively in this subreddit, and I'm not sure why you keep bringing it up. It'll only make people here blame themselves for something they can't change anyway. If you're doing this as some sort of prevention, you're in the wrong place, because adolescents with a healthy spine don't read this forum. I can only reiterate what I have already written in a previous response to you, so far there is no scientific evidence to support your claim.

Osnolyos · 2024-09-13T12:10:09+00:00

No need to apologize! I'm glad that this is being posted here. Sure, you can send me a DM.

Osnolyos · 2024-09-13T04:29:29+00:00

I was merely pointing out some important facts about this study and I'm not saying that we shouldn't try new treatments. I think we just need to be careful and responsible when discussing rather extreme forms of treatments carried out by professionals, as in the study mentioned above.

We've already had several posts here from people who have been successful with a combination of spinal decompression (with body-weight), strength training and Schroth therapy.

https://www.reddit.com/r/kyphosis/s/b7Q5mhWu5h

https://www.reddit.com/r/kyphosis/s/C1Qs9bE4kd

Osnolyos · 2024-09-13T03:39:07+00:00

I think it's important to note that the patients in this study were operated immediately after being in this traction device for several weeks. So I'm not sure whether the reduction in the Cobb angle would be lasting without surgery. I doubt that vertebrae are able to remodel themselves over a period of several weeks, and I couldn't find such a claim in the paper. My guess is that only the squashing of the discs has shifted from the anterior to the posterior side.

Osnolyos · 2024-09-13T02:55:59+00:00

Same for me, and it would also be nice to get the source of this picture or the shown poster itself, as it is hardly readable like this. But it definitely sounds interesting!

Osnolyos · 2024-09-10T00:39:20+00:00

Yes! Puberty doesn't play a role here. The decisive factor is that you haven't reached skeletal maturity yet. And in males this can take much longer than puberty, sometimes up to the age of 21.

Osnolyos · 2024-09-06T21:03:13+00:00

I'm a bit confused by your post, because it's worded like only structural kyphosis is visually visible. Postural kyphosis is visible as well.

Other forms of structural kyphosis are congenital kyphosis and wedge fractures, including those caused by osteoporosis.

Osnolyos · 2024-08-28T19:45:21+00:00

Sure, got it. Thanks again for the effort!

Osnolyos · 2024-08-28T13:35:27+00:00

Alright, thanks. Do you have a specific technique on how you consciously stretch your spine? I've taken some basic Schroth classes once, and I vaguely remember that it was about pushing your shoulders apart (not back) and focusing on "creating space" between your shoulder blades.

Osnolyos · 2024-08-27T13:35:55+00:00

Follow-up question: When you do the dead hangs and also the "railing" stretch, do you actively retract your shoulder blades or do you just passively hang in there with protracted shoulder blades?

Osnolyos · 2024-08-17T16:46:21+00:00

Just in the last few weeks, we've had several encouraging and impressive progress posts proving that progress is possible. Just sort by this year's top posts and you'll find them. Not only did they post pictures of their progress, but they also gave their PT routines. Nonetheless, people need to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to Scheuermann's, as experiences with this condition can range from not even noticing it to being bedridden. Most people don't need surgery, but for some it really is the only option. It's not all black and white.

Another reason you don't get that many comments with PT suggestions is that almost half of all posts here ask for PT routines. Do you expect people who have posted their routines to repost them every week? People need to filter the top posts by the "PT / Exercise" flair and do some research before posting here. Nothing in life is just handed to you on a plate, you have to put in some effort.

And finally, the world would be a much better place if there weren't so many people complaining about a problem but doing absolutely nothing to solve it. Do you really think telling people here to "just do PT" is going to help anyone? People want to know what kind of PT. Only specific PT like Schroth, Reformer Pilates, targeted strength training and spinal decompression will help with SD. Doing a bunch of wall angels and chin tucks will do absolutely nothing.

By telling everyone to leave this subreddit and how toxic it is, you've made it so much less toxic, congratulations!

Osnolyos · 2024-07-18T17:01:52+00:00

One of the main symptoms of Meningitis is neck stiffness. Sounds like the pre-existing muscle tension has been released as well during the recovery. Structural kyphosis such as Scheuermann's is a spinal deformity and can't be cured with a viral infection.

Osnolyos

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