Skaters suffering from scoliosis.

[icyboid]

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that causes it to follow an S or C pattern from the back instead of a straight line.

I was curious if anybody knows the answer to two scoliosis related questions:

- Does significantly affect one's ability to do things like layback spins, balance, or other skating?

- Have any relatively high-ranked skaters in the past or present had this problem?

[luv2lutz]

I would think it depends on how bad the curvature of the spine is. I have scoliosis, and when I was young my doctors reccommended that I continue skating. They said it would be good for strengthening for my core muscles and the impact would increase my bone density. Now, I was monitored and measured every few months. My curvature never worstened and actually improved a little. They only difficulty I had was doing figures (I'm showing my age :) ) But, laybacks were ok, although not my strength. I was a good jumper, never hindered by my back.

I did know a skater few years back that had severe scoliosis and she was never able to do a layback or ever a good looking spiral. She did eventually have surgery to correct her problem - but I guess I'm giving you an example of two extremes.

hope that helps! good luck - train smart and it's workable

[Chico]

I have a very mild case of this. I think I need to think extra hard to stand up straight and keep my pelvis under. I can improve on my bodies line but I can't eliminate it completely. I don't feel hindered in any way.

Chico

[danibellerika]

Originally posted by icyboid
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that causes it to follow an S or C pattern from the back instead of a straight line.

I was curious if anybody knows the answer to two scoliosis related questions:

- Does significantly affect one's ability to do things like layback spins, balance, or other skating?

- Have any relatively high-ranked skaters in the past or present had this problem?

I also have a slight case of scoliosis actually. I remember being told I had it back in elementary school. The thing is, I have been skating since november(and I'm talking pre-alpha level for ISI) and now since I caught onto things so quickly, I'm learning things from freestyle one and it's coming along nicely. The improvement one makes in that amount of time is amazing I feel. I really love skating and I think it's something that works for me. It's fun and great excercise and I walk of the ice sweating but knowing that I worked my butt off out there. I get complements on my spirals and people note most of anything the height of my leg(like if sasha's is at 6:00, mines is between 10 and 11:30 on ice) and also the arch in my back as well as the speed and distance(I can also do them on both edges). It feels strange because usually I'm the one doing the complimenting to others not the other way around on ice. I may actually be competing in April so I'm looking into my first dress and everything. With spins, I can do 2 foot spins pretty good when I work really hard to stand tall. My shoot the ducks aren't coming so easy, but I don't know if that's back related or just my problem with squatting. I knwo I have no choice but the get it though becaue the sit spin is w/o a doubt one of the most important spins you'll ever learn I believe.

I'm also knock-kneed. With that I tend to go on my inside edge more because that's just how my bones go. I think it depends on the person and how they let their body adjust to things. It all takes practice and with some balance practice I can skate on a flat just fine was well as skate on my OEs and IEs. I skate well and do crossovers well on both.

[second_destiny]

I've got it as well. I just have to watch in my jumps because my left shoulder tends to drop when I land. But if you think it through, it's not that bad.

As far as spirals, it's easier to do an MK-style spiral because you turn your whole upper body as opposed to, say, Sasha Cohen who keeps her chin parallel to the ice.

And laybacks aren't a problem ;) I can touch my head to my foot when I lean back :) And I'm a pair skater! LOL

~C

[danibellerika]

You are totally right. I do my spirals the MK way gliding with my left leg, but I try the Sasha spirals with my gliding right leg b/c I kinda find it harder to do it the MK way that way(just like i find it harder to do the Sasha way for my left leg for some reason). But with Sasha, she tends to turn her whole body more for her OE spirals like here:

http://www.sashafans.com/media/gallery/2003skateamerica/practice/ac-pbfsc04.jpg

and has it more parallel for the IE:

http://www.sashafans.com/media/gallery/2004nationals/short-6.jpg

*Edit*Michelle seems to do it as well her body is more parallel for the IE:

http://www.wam.umd.edu/~valecrie/pictures/9826517.jpg

and turned for the OE:

http://www.catslair.com/skating/1997/nationals/sr/mkwan1.html

[Andie]

Scoliosis, aha - the story of my life!
I have it, and had spinal fusion surgery for it almost 6 years ago. Before surgery it was a little severe - my worst curve was appx 52 degrees. Since surgery the worst curve is about 24 degrees.

About 4 years ago I started ice skating. Right now I'm around Freestyle 1-2 level. While my back is somewhat limited in flexibility and it's doubtful I could perform a decent layback spin, I can do spirals just fine. My coach says I'm better at spirals than stroking! I also can do a decent shoot-the-duck, which I recently started working at.

In a few days I have a checkup with my spine doctor; I'm going to ask him again what he thinks about me skating. He has said in the past he thinks gymnastics and bike riding is much worse for people than skating.

[Michigansk8er]

Andie,

What level was your fusion? I had a fusion (L4-L5) 8 weeks ago and am hoping I'll be able to skate again. It's great to hear that someone with a fusion is actually out there skating. :) My surgeon is hopeful, but we really won't know for 6 months to a year.

Michigansk8er

[reeta]

There seems to be quite many of us! I'm a recreational skater with scoliosis. It was noticed at school medical examination and I had a boston brace for 4 years. I kept skating all the time while I had the brace, and I really thought it didn't bother my skating that much. I could do a sort of sit spin, and once my group coach suggested trying a layback... 8O I wonder how she supposed me to do it while unable to bend backwards at all.

Still can't do any layback, but the scoliosis probably has nothing to do with it. I don't think it has held me back in any way. However I think for a competitive skater the situation must be quite different. Then also such (relatively) small problems matter...