Update from a Mom

[vsm4121]

Hi everyone,
My daughter Frankie was put in the Boston Brace on 11/17/05. This was an awful day for her and for us all. We didn't know what to expect and we prayed that this "thing" she had to wear would work or else we were definately looking at surgery. Her spine was at a 40 degree curve. She also has Osteoporosis and 3 tiny fractures in her spine.

Against her will, she wore the brace like she was supposed to. We made all types of modifications for her at school, with a different desk, book holder and everything else you could imagine. She was pulled out of ALL physical activity and had to sit and read a book while her classmates played during PE and recess. This isn't easy for a 5th Grader who wants to play with her friends and be a normal kid.

Anyways, she had a follow up appointment with Shriners in LA in May and her curve had improved to 22 degrees!! We all were so excited. We live in Southern California and it was an absolutely HOT summer and there were a few days that she just couldn't bear the heat from the brace, so she didn't wear it. But she did the best she could. At her appointment last month, August, she was measured at 12 Degrees!!!

I really breaks my heart to see what you all go through with having to be braced, but please do it. It will really help you!!! It's such a pain, hassle and a lot of times an embrassment, but think of your future as an adult and how much healthier and happier you will be for the sacrifices you make now.

[gerbo]

that is a fantastic result, and you must feel so delighted.

One doesn't come across many succes stories with boston braces, and I wonder why she was so succesful? How much did the brace correct her (i.e., what was the curve "in-brace"?), how often was it adjusted? Did you feel the orthotist mada a particular effort to get as much of correction as possible?

best wishes

gerbo

[faerieprincess]

dat is really great news! im in a boston brace n i had a 40 degree curve 2 my last update i av gone down 2 29 degrees in 5 months so there are a few sucess stories goin around lol

[Snoopy]

I know someone else mentioned this to you, but thought I'd remind you. Would you please write out your posts instead of shortening words, using numbers instead of words, etc. This site is mostly adults and I'm sure I speak for almost everyone--your replies are so hard to read! I find myself not reading most of your replies/questions because they take too much time to figure out. I wouldn't want you to miss out on information you are looking for just because we can't read your post.

Mary Lou

[Mom100]

I appreciated your post. My daughter has a 25 degree curve and is 14 years old. The doctor has recommended a Boston Brace for her and we are going tomorrow to get measurements.
I wanted to ask you what kind of desk, chair and book holder did you get for your daughter? Also, what did she wear under the brace? Thank you for any information.

[LindaRacine]

One doesn't come across many succes stories with boston braces, and I wonder why she was so succesful?

Gerbo,

Wherever did you get that idea? I actually think that most scoliosis specialists (at least those in the U.S.) consider the Boston brace to be the gold standard.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16909249&query_hl=50&itool=pubmed_DocSum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16308724&query_hl=5&itool=pubmed_docsum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15083112&query_hl=5&itool=pubmed_docsum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=10984784&query_hl=5&itool=pubmed_DocSum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=9201832&query_hl=5&itool=pubmed_DocSum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=7560048&query_hl=5&itool=pubmed_DocSum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=8328046&query_hl=5&itool=pubmed_DocSum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=3810295&query_hl=5&itool=pubmed_DocSum

Regards,
Linda

[faerieprincess]

Mary Lou, i thought that this section of the site was actualli the place 4 the under 18s with scoliosis, so excuse me if i am wrong. Im not going to go on here much anymore i dont think, like u say i shorten the words too much and i just have not got the patience for writing messages out in full lol - im too used to msn. However i think it is slightly out of order for you to say that you speak for everyone, it feels like you are ganging up on me. In another message where i forgot to write out words i was accused of not actually having scolisis! that actualli hurt alot. All i wanted to say was that the news at the top was really great. I wish everyone who has scolisis lots of luck i no how much of a pain it is :(