Question 1

how much growth would you expect the fused portion of my spine to have grown had it been left unfused?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say: It depends on how many were fused and at what age . If not fuse and you did proper exercises your cartillage would be elastic and could stretch giving you extra height. With a fusion you can not do this stretch.

Question 2

when does the spine growth stop on males and females? some say 20, some 25. which is the correct answer ?

Accepted Answer

It typically varies : From patient to patient. Females approximately at age 14 years (give or take a year or two); in males approximately age 16 years (give or take a year or two).Guys typically hit their growth spurt later than females.

Question 3

iam 21. my growth plates r closed iguess. but my spine can still grow right? and add few inches to my height?

Accepted Answer

Not likely...: By 21 years of age most human beings have reached their adult height. It is not likely your spine is going to take off on it's own and grow "a few inches" while the rest of your bones stay the same! not to worry. Physical height won't hold you back unless you're dead set on being a pro basketball player!

Question 4

is there any truth in people who have open growth plates don't have spine compression that makes them shorter throughout the day?

Accepted Answer

Gravity.: Everyone gets a bit shorter at the end of the standing day related to the compressive effects of gravity.  The effect is small and in someone who is actively growing that shrinking might be non detectable.

Question 5

can you compress your spine in your teens through exercises and gymnasts that you dont grow in length or its stunts growth?

Accepted Answer

No worries: That does not happen in the normal course of human events, meaning we encourage children, teens, and young adults to be as physically active as they wish. Their routine check-ups are times when they can discuss their activity level with their doctors to see if their sports activities are "overdoing it." A small number kids do "overdo it" and need to scale back their activities to avoid injuries.

Question 6

i'm 17 and i have a mild levoscoliosis of the thoracic spine. does it affect my growth?

Accepted Answer

Scoliosis: Mild scoliosis implies 30 degree or less curve. That is not likely to cause pain in the future. It will not affect growth as you are done with spinal growth at age 17. So with that info, no worries.

Question 7

can spine still grow @ 38 causing nearly 3 inch permanent height increase? can space growth in vertebrae, chiropractor or stretching cause it?

Accepted Answer

Technically: If the discs (the cartilages) between the veterbrae are heavily HYDRATED there can be an increase in height after such hydration. Chiropractic manipulation can adjust the position of the veterbrae perhaps resulting in some small increase in height however these changes are usually TEMPORARY!
Hope this is helpful
Dr Z

Question 8

my 17 month old likes to sleep with her head on our fluffy pillow?  worried about it affecting her spine or growth... should i stop it or is it ok?

Accepted Answer

Ok: Sleeping on a fluffy pillow should in no way affect the growth of her spine.

Question 9

how can electrical bone growth stimulator help with spine fusion?

Accepted Answer

Perhaps: The basic science shows effectiveness, but its use in people has produced conflicting results. It may be useful if you are at risk for not healing a fusion. Some risk factors include tobacco use, prior failed attempts at fusion in the same area of your back, multiple level fusion. Talk to your doctor. Check to see if your insurance covers it.

Question 10

i'm 5'6 with a 33inch leg inseam, 38inch legs an my spine ~18in long. will my torso catch up growth to propotion? how can i help the process if so?

Accepted Answer

Several scenarios : You may still grow over a year or two more but the most growth is behind you.  Have you been checked for any spinal deformity which can give you a shorter appearing stature like congenital block vertebra or even a scoliosis which could be a double curve which could account for this apparent disproportion.

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Doctor answers about:

Growth on spine

A member asked:

How much growth would you expect the fused portion of my spine to have grown had it been left unfused?

A member asked:

When does the spine growth stop on males and females? some say 20, some 25. which is the correct answer ?

A member asked:

Iam 21. my growth plates r closed iguess. but my spine can still grow right? and add few inches to my height?

A member asked:

Is there any truth in people who have open growth plates don't have spine compression that makes them shorter throughout the day?

A member asked:

Can you compress your spine in your teens through exercises and gymnasts that you dont grow in length or its stunts growth?

A member asked:

I'm 17 and i have a mild levoscoliosis of the thoracic spine. does it affect my growth?

A member asked:

Can spine still grow @ 38 causing nearly 3 inch permanent height increase? can space growth in vertebrae, chiropractor or stretching cause it?

A member asked:

My 17 month old likes to sleep with her head on our fluffy pillow? worried about it affecting her spine or growth... should i stop it or is it ok?

A member asked:

How can electrical bone growth stimulator help with spine fusion?

A member asked:

I'm 5'6 with a 33inch leg inseam, 38inch legs an my spine ~18in long. will my torso catch up growth to propotion? how can i help the process if so?

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