Scheuermans Disease

Some facts concerning Scheuermann's Disease:

  • A disorder of the spine discovered in adolescents.
  • Formerly thought to be secondary to osteonecrosis, now felt to be secondary to (familial) congental weakness in endplates.
  • For diagnosis, three adjacent vertebral bodies must be involved with 5 degrees or more of wedging.
  • Clinical findings variable but may lead to painful thoracic scoliolis exacerbated by exertion.
  • Radiographically, undulating endplates are punctuated by radiolucent cartilagenous (Schmorl's) nodes.
  • DDx: other diseases leading to softening of endplates (e.g., infection, HPTH, osteoporosis, trauma, Paget's, etc.)

 

After 13 years of going from doctor to doctor for issues of chronic spinal/ abdominal pain, I was finally diagnosed with Scheuermans Disease, a degenerative disc disease .  The pain progressed until it appeared I wouldn't be able to work anymore, due to the high dose of narcotics I needed to deal with it.  I finally had a Morphine pump implanted in the spine that delivers 24/7 morphine. It allows me to keep working, though I still have some pain.  I never thought that I would be able to do anything but walk, slowly, again.

Eighteen months ago, I started Bikram Yoga.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that my back was able to relax in the heat.  Muscles I never thought I had started to strengthen and lengthen.  I had never been able to lift my grandson as it would aggravate the pain.  But ,now,I am proud to say I can pick him up for a short time, without back pain!  He weighs 35 pounds. I feel more normal and not so fragile anymore and am even planning some hiking with friends.   I am so happy!

I also have been able to turn the pump down by 7% because my back is stronger and doesn't injure so easily.  I never even hoped I would be able to do this.  Who knows, one day, maybe I can have it removed!    Bikram Yoga is the one exercise I can do that doesnt injure me.  I am so grateful that the Bend class was available.   Thanks , again, for all you do to keep it going!        

--Vicki Raines  - Bend, Oregon

sestrother@bendcable.com