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Hello, My 12 year old son had a mild case of scoliosis when he he was 5 years old. It was a 5 degree curvature which disappeared when he was 7 years old. From age 7 to 12 he had yearly physical exams which showed no scoliosis. this morning I notices a protruding left shoulder blade. I took my son to an internist. He performed the Aples' test. Below are the results.1. Straight shoulders2. Staight/level shoulder blades3. Left shoulder blade slightly protruding- but normal according to the doctor, not related to scoliosis.It has to do with muscle distribution4. Totally straight spinal cord when he bends over5. There was a slight hump on the left side when he bent over, but the doctor assured that it may be a normal variation. It was probably 1-4 degrees he said based on his visual observation. He didn't have any tools to measure it.Would you please tell me if there is any need for concern. I am assuming that this not scoliosis. Would you concur? Thanks
Optional Information: Person's Gender: Male Age: 12
I'll do my best to answer your question. If you're available for chat, let's get started. If not, I can switch to an e-mail format.
I do concur with what your son's physician has told you. The only thing I would suggest as far as follow-up is that he be watched yearly at his physicals to be sure that there is no rapid progression as he grows rapidly through puberty. I would not recommend any further evaluation given the information you have provided.
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Sometimes there is asymmetry in the rib cage that causes some asymmetry that is seen in the shoulder blades (where it looks like one is lifted or more prominent. Sometimes it's related to muscle development (might have a bit of a hump on the dominant side of the body--especially if he's in sports). It likely won't get to be significant.
Experience: 14 years in private practice in the U.S.
Ok I am sorry I was asking about the hump on the rib cage, not the shoulder blade. When he bends over, there was a no significant bulge on the left side
Sorry to be confusing. Same reason. There can be asymmetry in the rib cage, asymmetry in the musculature, and sometimes there is a slight twisting in the spinal column where the ribs connect to it (so it may not be "curved" but there may be a slight twist in a vertebrae that causes the asymmetry in the rib cage when you look at it). Does that make sense? If not, msg me back and I'll see if I can find an illustration that might explain it a little more clearly.
Here is the picture of my son's back. Would you concur that it is NOT scoliosis. Please keep in mind that his spinal curve is 100% straight.
Yes. I think that looks fine. Thanks for the picture!