Alexander Taghva, MD
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Alexander Taghva, MD

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  • Home
  • Services
    • Neurosurgical Conditions
      • Treatment Options for Neurosurgical Conditions
    • Neurosurgical Procedures
      • Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
      • Cervical Disc Replacement
      • Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
      • Microdiscectomy
      • Minimally Invasive Laminotomy
      • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
      • Revision Spine Surgery
      • Spinal Cord Stimulation
      • Spine Surgery
  • Meet Dr. Taghva
  • Reviews
  • For Patients
    • Education
    • Forms
    • Blog
  • Office Location

4 Subtle Signs You Have Scoliosis

July 31, 2018 by Dr. Taghva

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is one of many types of spine disorders that have to do with the way your spine is structured. To be diagnosed with scoliosis by a back specialist, you must have a sideways curve in your spine. A typical spine is perfectly verticle, so if your spine looks like an “S,” then you probably have scoliosis. Here are some common signs that this diagnosis is appropriate for you.

Your clothes don’t fit well

When your spine isn’t straight, your clothes aren’t going to fit you the way they would for someone without scoliosis. For example, you might notice that your neckline, shirt sleeves, hemline, and pant legs are all uneven. You also might notice that one side of your shirt is always wrinkled and the other isn’t. Finally, one of your shoe’s soles might wear out faster than the other, indicating that your spine is curved.

It’s difficult to breathe

You may experience a shortness of breath sometimes, and that might be a result of scoliosis. You might feel uncomfortable when you try to take a deep breath or even feel smothered. This could be due to the fact that scoliosis can limit for rib cage expansion, inhibiting your lung function.

You have a rib prominence

When most people stand up straight, their rib cage is aligned with their legs. For someone with scoliosis, the rib cage kind of sticks out. It almost looks like you’re sticking your pelvis out when you stand. This is known as rib prominence, and it’s very apparent in adults who have scoliosis. You also might notice that one side of your rib cage pop out more than the other, making your body look uneven. That’s due to the curve in your spine.

You have back pain

In most cases, scoliosis does not limit movement or cause noticeable back pain until the curve becomes severe. With that being said, unexplained backaches are a hallmark symptom of scoliosis, and 90% of scoliosis patients reporting feeling back pain. As the spine curves, it places pressure on the nerves and can cause lower back pain, weakness, numbness, and pain in the lower extremities as well.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, roughly 80% of adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. If you have lower back pain, it could be a sign of scoliosis, or other spine disorders like herniated discs, bulging discs, or pinched nerves. Contact your doctor today if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Reviews

  • In September 2018, my ENT doctor sent me to see Dr. Taghva; as a result of the MRI taken after my ears were tested for possible hearing loss. It turned out that I had a brain tumor the size of a golf ball that needed to be removed; which most likely was the cause of some hearing loss. Both doctors…

    • 5 stars
    • Jeannette P.
  • I recently had major surgery on my cervical spine. Work was done from C3 to T1. I was suffering from severe stenosis and losing the ability to use my left arm and hand.

    Dr. Taghva performed the surgery and was assisted by his nurse practitioner Vanessa Stroessner. It’s been a few months since…

    • 5 stars
    • Pat B.
  • I had a trial stimulator put in two weeks ago since I have scoliosis and spinal stenosis and helped with my pain 100%. Yesterday he inserted permanent stimulator inside me. I am so happy and love Dr Tagvha. I highly recommend him and has a wonderful bedside manner. Best neurosurgeon. Dr. Alexander…

    • 5 stars
    • Christina C.
  • Dr. Taghva is my hero. I had a herniated disc and spinal stenosis with pressure on the upper spine area. After 3 hours of surgery I was up and walking pain free right away. My recovery in just 2-3 weeks had me walking without any walker or back brace and I am feeling terrific.

    Thank you so much…

    • 5 stars
    • Real patient
  • 5 years ago I was sent to Dr. Taghva by my pain management specialist. He had very thorough tests done. He told me that it was his opinion that I had RSD aka CRPS. After much discussion with my pain specialist, I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted. I loved the relief it gave me.

    A few years…

    • 5 stars
    • Susan H.

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