December 23, 2024

Glasgow Standard

News and features from GCU Journalism Students

Scoliosis – The undetectable condition

While people who have scoliosis are being advised by doctors to get surgery, a new study finds that surgery doesn’t always guarantee a higher quality of life, Nadia Saleem reports.

Usually when someone has a disability or deformity, it’s impossible not to notice it. However, this wasn’t the case for 18-year-old Chloe McWhinnie, who went through most of her teenage years without realising that she had scoliosis – an abnormal spinal curve. The last thing she thought she would need was surgery.

Picture of Chloe sitting in a computer lab at Glasgow Caledonian University

Chloe was 16-years-old when she first noticed that her body proportions were a bit “off.” She was horrified to learn from her doctor that she would need surgery to correct her spine.  

“I was terrified because that’s what it feels like when someone tells you that you might need surgery.

“It was the last thing I expected to hear because I never thought it would be that serious, especially when I never even noticed I had it.

“I had no idea what it was and I don’t know anyone other than me that has it, so it was scary.

“I wasn’t exactly jumping with excitement at the thought of surgery.”

A 2019 study conducted by spinal surgeon, Keith Bridwell, found that while most doctors recommend surgery, it isn’t always necessary. The study involved 286 scoliosis patients who were divided into two groups, those who had spine surgery and those who hadn’t.

Mr Bridwell revealed that most people in their 30s and 40s that hadn’t had surgery were still functioning at the same level as those who had.

Chloe states that while she doesn’t regret the surgery she has her doubts about whether or not it was necessary.

“Knowing that there had been an option that didn’t involve surgery does make me think that maybe I didn’t need it.

“You have that constant fear of it getting worse.

“The recovery for surgery was very difficult for me and if you had told me this at the time then I probably would have been happy to avoid it.”

Treatments for scoliosis other than surgery include:

  • Back braces
  • Painkillers
  • Exercise
  • Spinal injections

Chloe talks about the panic that plagued her before her surgery and the difficulties that she faced during her long and painful recovery process, which led to her having to take days off from school during exam period.

“I was very nervous.  The day I had my surgery, they just pumped me full of morphine. I couldn’t feel anything and then as it progressed they started to do physiotherapy.

“I did that for the last three or four days. I was walking up and down the stairs and learning how to walk again – it was intense. 

 “I think it affected my exams for sure…I was only going to school two days a week.

“It was so difficult and I don’t ever want to feel like that again.”

“You feel like you are relying on people way too much for help and it can make you feel like a bit of a burden.”

Chloe said that once the recovery process was over, she felt more “confident” in her appearance and even grew by a few inches due to her spine being straightened. However, she feels that more young people should be informed about scoliosis.  

“It’s sad to think about because if it does get worse you can end up disabled.

“I think people should really get more regular physical check-ups to make sure that you can spot conditions like this while you are still young.”

Most people would think that once they have had surgery then that’s all of their problems solved. But 21-year-old Olivia Francesca was not as fortunate.

Picture taken from Olivia’s Facebook: Olivia showing off her pregnancy bump while out for a walk with her dog

Olivia has had scoliosis since she was 11-years-old and underwent surgery at 15 after she was told by a doctor that she would be “a hunchback at 30.” Olivia is now pregnant and has been told that the only way to deliver her baby is through a C-section due to her spinal structure.

“Since about 4 months pregnant I have been having elevated back pain and this quickly descended into being put in crutches and a pregnancy band.

“I’ve had to move back in with my mum because I can’t climb the steps in my apartment building.

“I was told a C-section would be safest and then found out from the anaesthetist that they will not be giving me an epidural due to the scarred tissue in my lower back.

“My pregnancy has been very difficult in terms of pain and at times it’s been unbearable. The surgery at 15 may have not worsened it but it certainly hasn’t helped it.”

The National Institute of Health estimates that scoliosis affects 3% of adolescents and can be difficult to diagnose.

Picture taken by Eion Smith: X-ray scan of a Scoliosis patient’s spine

Spinal surgeon at London Bridge Hospital, Dr Jonathan Lucas, said that there is no definitive reason why women with scoliosis have a harder pregnancy.

“We do not fully understand why there is an increased C-section rate in women with scoliosis.

“There is a lot of misinformation and ill-informed doctors about scoliosis and there should be no specific reason why women should have their pregnancies earlier as compared to women without scoliosis.

“There is a slightly increased risk of having back ache and spinal pain with scoliosis but not that much greater than the normal population.” 

Dr Lucas also said that scoliosis can be harder to detect, especially in women.

“A lot of these young ladies can by very self-conscious about how they look and as such they do not reveal themselves by wearing swimsuits or clinging clothes.

“Screening for scoliosis has been considered in the United Kingdom but was dismissed, as the expense is very high.”

A 2017 annual review released by the Scoliosis Association UK revealed that they are keen to expand their regional representatives. They hope to encourage body positivity among young girls living with scoliosis and educate them on exactly what medical procedures are available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMSSMbyChJU
Chloe talks about how frustrating her recovery process was after surgery

By Nadia Saleem

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