Kathy's introduction

[Guest guest]

Hi, my name is Kathy Bedford. I was diagnosed with scoliosis at age

13. After many x-rays it was determined that a difference in the

height of my hips had probably caused the curves. The doctor

prescribed a heel lift and sent me on my way without telling my

mother where to get a lift or that the curves should be monitored

from time to time. We never found a pharmacy that carried lifts, and

the pain went away when I was in my early twenties, so I figured that

everything was fine.

After having children in 1994 and 1995, I had excruciating back pain.

I thought it was due to the pregnancies and would go away. Wrong! X-

rays showed my curves to be 50 thoracic and 55 lumbar. I've been

getting x-rays every one or two years since that time. Over the last

two years my curves progressed to 52T and 60L. I'm now 41 years old.

I have been controlling pain through wearing a heel lift, getting

manipulation every 4-6 weeks, occassionally having physcial therapy

and taking muscle relaxers when things get really tight.

My previous orthopedic surgeon told me that surgery was not necessary

unless the curves progressed rapidly. He also said that once curves

reach the 60-degree range they almost always progress rapidly. I'm

hoping that the curves don't get any worse. I'll be seeing a new

ortho surgeon in November and getting another set of x-rays.

That's my story.

Kathy Bedford