Nurses with scoliosis out there?

Nurses Disabilities

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Are there other RNs with scoliosis out there? Especially severe scoliosis with noticeable rib hump (the Quasimodo look), spinal fusion, metal instrumentation, chronic pain issues, especially in low back/hips, which is a recent development for me. I have all of the above and am always scared of losing my job, which happened once and I got blackballed by Northwestern Memorial in Chicago. I have to do a song and dance with every preemployment evaluation. I also have narcolepsy from longstanding insomnia. Depression -- well we won't go there.

I had a 98 degree right thoracic curve that was straightened to about 30 degrees after weeks of halo-femoral traction, fusion (T6 to L3), and Harrington rod, then another year in a Risser body cast. earle58 and I were treated back in the dinosaur days .... The surgery did not take away the huge rib hump on my back or improve my respiratory function much. My shoulders and hips were even. Since then (1971) my curve has worsened to near 70 degrees, my shoulders and hips are not even, and I've developed pretty bad low back pain. I've seen one of the UCSF surgeons who wants to put off revision surgery as long as possible because the fusion will need to be extended upwards into my cervical vertebrae and my sacrum fused. This will disable me from nursing, that's for sure. He said he can reduce my rib hump and the correction might restore some of my height, but not much. I would be 5'11" if I had a straight spine. I'm 5'5" now.

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Specializes in Mother Baby & pre-hospital EMS.

Wow Selke, you have been through a lot. It is scary when scoliosis starts to affect your other organs. I know scoliosis usually does not cause pain (something that other people don't really understand), but when the degree of curvature is that severe, it will. I believe the pain is seen commonly in adults who were diagnosed when they were younger, but I'm sure some younger ones have pain too.

It's amazing how much one can grow when they have a severe curve and have surgery for it.

I hope that things go well for you with your spine.

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I had a 98 degree right thoracic curve that was straightened to about 30 degrees after weeks of halo-femoral traction, fusion (T6 to L3), and Harrington rod, then another year in a Risser body cast. earle58 and I were treated back in the dinosaur days .... The surgery did not take away the huge rib hump on my back or improve my respiratory function much. My shoulders and hips were even. Since then (1971) my curve has worsened to near 70 degrees, my shoulders and hips are not even, and I've developed pretty bad low back pain. I've seen one of the UCSF surgeons who wants to put off revision surgery as long as possible because the fusion will need to be extended upwards into my cervical vertebrae and my sacrum fused. This will disable me from nursing, that's for sure. He said he can reduce my rib hump and the correction might restore some of my height, but not much. I would be 5'11" if I had a straight spine. I'm 5'5" now.

i was in a room w/5 other scoli pts.

the ones who had a lower fusion, had casts that went down to their knees.

mine went from jaw down to pubis.

lower fusions, neck to knees.

i gained 4" in height...actually 4.5.

i'm so sorry that you're having trouble again, selke.

why does the spine continue to curve, despite a rod and fusion?

leslie

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hai,

I am an cardiac Icu nurse. I have congenital scoliosis with cobbs angle 42 degrees.I have passed the singapore nursing board exam and selected in the interview.but I was told that I am unfit in medical test. what is the standards they havein medical tests.If anyone has idea kindly clarify.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
hai,

I am an cardiac Icu nurse. I have congenital scoliosis with cobbs angle 42 degrees.I have passed the singapore nursing board exam and selected in the interview.but I was told that I am unfit in medical test. what is the standards they havein medical tests.If anyone has idea kindly clarify.

I think the US and a lot of other countries are more tolerant on disabilities and work round what is required.

Not sure if you are looking at another country but suggest you check out the International forum regarding process for another country

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No, I don't work nights, but when I did I couldn't cope with it. I lost those years of my life, I was just a zombie when I was off work. It derailed my ambitions for grad school and I lost two years of my daughter's lives. I think working nights those two years started my problems with insomnia, although anxiety causes most of it. Sleep studies require a hefty copay which I haven't been able to afford yet; I'd like to get the anxiety treated but it's hard finding a therapist who will do that.

I wonder what others do with noticeable deformities, when you catch coworkers on the sly staring at you, and stress out over anticipating managers saying something to you. Coworkers who give others backrubs ignore you. It's awfully humiliating. I think legally they can only ask so much; I would only tell them that I have never filed workmen's comp and never been injured on the job (all true). Most RNs I know have chronic back problems or history of injury, anyway, so I don't see myself as worse off than they are, but there is prejudice.

I have scoliosis and a learning disability. I have a hump in my back, no rod. An old nursing instructor told me back in the early 90's that I wasn't cut out to be a nurse...she was wrong! Mine isn't as severe, but still I can relate a little. Hang in there. With the nursing shortages, I don't think they will continue to be as picky!

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Sounds like you've had some challenges. I am 55 and looking into a medical field . Wanted to do the LPN program but have scoliosis . It's either that or MA or some other completely field. I can't decide. All I know is I've had to quit several jobs because I couldn't stand on my feet fo hours at a time. My back gives out and my feet kill me. Its hard to get good medical care now because my husband is on disability and I have state clinic care. They don't even have an orthepedic dr.

So i don't know what to do. My other choices right now might be counseling or speech pathology. Haven't taken the GRE yet. Really unsure if i want to go back to a college canpus . Anyway, I've been through an LPN program and had to leave the last semester because my back went out. So went and got my teaching certificate. I'm looking into rehab paying my way

I'm frustrated and confused as to which way to go. Maybe I'm too old to even think about this. I know I'm tired of struggling to find a job and have heard horror stories with the MA programs. Any advice out there??

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