KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

During the health check in sch recently, my DD was told that her backbone is "positive by 3 degrees". She was also told that this is mild and not require treatment at this point of time. Any parents have any experience or know more abt this?

julongmum wrote:During the health check in sch recently, my DD was told that her backbone is "positive by 3 degrees". She was also told that this is mild and not require treatment at this point of time. Any parents have any experience or know more abt this?

Hi julongmum,

Not to worry. Quite a lot of girls have soliosis (curved backbone). Some may need to wear a brace (special made $500 + according to the girl's measurement, white and hard) Seen girls wearing it and it seems to be pretty uncomfortable as they are unable to bend forward easily.

My dd (Sec 2) was diagnosed when she was in P5 (positive 4 - 5 degrees). She was asked to go for further assesment at NUS (Soliosis Specialist Clinic). On the 1st appt, she was assessed by a female doc and was told that her backbone has worsen. DD cried when told that she might need a brace. (She was auditioning for dance and was worry that wearing a brace might hinder her chances) Was refered to a specialist instead.

Saw the specialist & took a x-ray. Was told she does not need a brace as her bones are already quite develop. The only point - she will not grow much taller. Need to go for yearly assessment.

Hope it helps.

hi julongmum, not to worry too much. I was diagnosed with curved backbone too when I was secondary school. I was tall and always tend not to stand straight. The other reason was I always carry bag on one side. So the nurse actually suggested me to learn carry school bag on two interchanging sides. I also make an effort to stand and walk straight. After a few month or a year, the backbone was back to normal.

Maybe your girl having the same problem as me, tall, dun stand straight and carry heavy school bag on one side? Also you can try to give her lots of high calcium food.

girlmum wrote:Hi julongmum,

Not to worry. Quite a lot of girls have soliosis (curved backbone). Some may need to wear a brace (special made $500 + according to the girl's measurement, white and hard) Seen girls wearing it and it seems to be pretty uncomfortable as they are unable to bend forward easily.

My dd (Sec 2) was diagnosed when she was in P5 (positive 4 - 5 degrees). She was asked to go for further assesment at NUS (Soliosis Specialist Clinic). On the 1st appt, she was assessed by a female doc and was told that her backbone has worsen. DD cried when told that she might need a brace. (She was auditioning for dance and was worry that wearing a brace might hinder her chances) Was refered to a specialist instead.

Saw the specialist & took a x-ray. Was told she does not need a brace as her bones are already quite develop. The only point - she will not grow much taller. Need to go for yearly assessment.

Hope it helps.

girlmum, thanks for sharing. I wish your DD full recovery soon. Good that she was being diagnosed earlier and don't have to wear the brace. I can imagine she would be very painful if she has to wear the brace which would restrict her dance performance.

What likely the cause of your DD curved backbone? Did the doctor suggest any ways possibly to help realign her backbone? I suppose her sch bag is heavy (like my DD), did you try anything to reduce her load???

My DD used ergonomic back in pri sch, but now used a fashionable bag which does not give back support. Her bag load is heavier than before, in addition, she hand carry a shoes bag with her sports barang barang - glove, boots, socks, etc. I am cracking my brain how to advice her to pack her load of stuff...

daisyt wrote:hi julongmum, not to worry too much. I was diagnosed with curved backbone too when I was secondary school. I was tall and always tend not to stand straight. The other reason was I always carry bag on one side. So the nurse actually suggested me to learn carry school bag on two interchanging sides. I also make an effort to stand and walk straight. After a few month or a year, the backbone was back to normal.

Maybe your girl having the same problem as me, tall, dun stand straight and carry heavy school bag on one side? Also you can try to give her lots of high calcium food.

daisyt, thanks for your advice. It is great to know that curved backbone can be realigned, glad for you. hmm, must analyse the cause and rectify before it is too late huh. The strain of the backbone due to carrying heavy sch bag could largely be the cause for my girl curved backbone. Yes, she is tall yet skinny. She carried haversak on both shoulder. It is very heavy. Already advised her to keep some of her books in sch locker, what else can she do to reduce the load??

She has stop drinking milk since pri sch. would encourage her to drink milk.

julongmum wrote: girlmum, thanks for sharing. I wish your DD full recovery soon. Good that she was being diagnosed earlier and don't have to wear the brace. I can imagine she would be very painful if she has to wear the brace which would restrict her dance performance.

What likely the cause of your DD curved backbone? Did the doctor suggest any ways possibly to help realign her backbone? I suppose her sch bag is heavy (like my DD), did you try anything to reduce her load???

My DD used ergonomic back in pri sch, but now used a fashionable bag which does not give back support. Her bag load is heavier than before, in addition, she hand carry a shoes bag with her sports barang barang - glove, boots, socks, etc. I am cracking my brain how to advice her to pack her load of stuff...

Hi Julongmum

Brace or no brace - she still can't get in to dance (maybe not flexible enough)

I did asked the doc if heavy bag is the culprit but he claimed that it's not - it's the child's bone development. Yes Yes - I did try and ask her to reduce her load but she always said "It's not heavy". I checked her bag and imagine my horror when I saw her file is thicker than a dictionary. I was like :x :x I insisted that either she holds her file or I give her an extra carrier. She would dutifully remove her file & carry it but when she returns -- file is in her bag.

Nag & nag =

girlmum wrote: I did try and ask her to reduce her load but she always said "It's not heavy". I checked her bag and imagine my horror when I saw her file is thicker than a dictionary. I was like :x :x I insisted that either she holds her file or I give her an extra carrier. She would dutifully remove her file & carry it but when she returns -- file is in her bag.

Nag & nag =

hahaha, this is exactly a replica of what happen between me and my girl. And I always requested DH to carry her bag (fr home to car) but she refused.

i was also being diagnosed as having scoliosis in pri sch which was many many years ago. I remembered having to do x-ray 2x a year, luckily the condition was stablised aft P6. I was told to do some stretching exercises and keep my back straight when walking and sitting. I was being discharged in the sec school days, being my growth has already max out, so no chance of spinal bone getting worse. Till today, though its ok but one side of my waist is slightly more protrude than the other side.

I didnt kn the spinal bone can be realign, all the while i was told no way it will go back to normal.

pokemon wrote:i was also being diagnosed as having scoliosis in pri sch which was many many years ago. I remembered having to do x-ray 2x a year, luckily the condition was stablised aft P6. I was told to do some stretching exercises and keep my back straight when walking and sitting. I was being discharged in the sec school days, being my growth has already max out, so no chance of spinal bone getting worse. Till today, though its ok but one side of my waist is slightly more protrude than the other side.

I didnt kn the spinal bone can be realign, all the while i was told no way it will go back to normal.

oh I have the same problem as you and had to wear custom made body brace when sleeping then. Lucky I need to wear it only for a period of time as it is very uncomfortable wearing it to sleep...

scoliosis is quite common among girls. I wonder why. I was also diagnosed with scoliosis in pr school. My spine was S-shaped curved. Initially, went to Institute of Health. Then, the curved degree worsened and was referred to NUH orthopaedic for x-ray. Fortunately, I didn't have to wear braces. During puberty, the curved degree really increased very rapidly. Around Sec. 3, because my bone was already matured and the condition was under control.

Doctor advised regular swimming. I didn't do that but my friend did that and her scoliosis didn't worsen as fast as mine. Yes, my understanding from doctor was also that scoliosis cannot be cured. So beware of those chiropractors that claim they can align the spine back to normal.