Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

just diagnosed

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • just diagnosed

    Hello,
    This is my first time to post. Just was wondering if anyone could give me some info. My daughter is 14 and was diagnosed with scoliosis about 6 weeks ago. We have an appointment to see a doctor in three weeks. The x-rays she had done said there was significant convex-right scoliosis of the thoracic-spine with a Cobb angle of 39 degrees from the superior endplate of T6 to the inferior endplate of T12. There is compensatory convex-left scoliosis of the lumbar spine, with a Cobb angle of 30 degrees from the superior pedlclemargins of T12 to the inferior pedocle margin of L4. I was wondering what we can expect when we see the doctor. We it be bracing or surgery?

  • #2
    Hi...

    So much will depend on the skeletally maturity of your daughter. If she's skeletally mature, she may never need any treatment at all. If she's still got growth left, the specialist may decide a brace is worthwhile.

    You might find the following overview of scoliosis treatment, including a section of Risk of Progression, to be worthwhile reading:

    http://www.scoliosis-australia.org/s...scoliosis.html

    Good luck!

    Regards,
    Linda
    Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
    Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi.

      My DD was just diagnoised recently. I know the doctor we went to said it's usually bracing up to 40 degrees and then they start talking surgery. We were referred to Shriners so will be going there & see what they have to say.

      However, it does depend on if your daughter has more growing to do or not.

      I know my husband has scoliosis but wasn't caught until he was already done growing. He was told they could brace but it probably wouldn't do much good, so unless there was a problem breathing, etc... just let it go. I have no idea what his curve is but you can see it, so I was completely shocked that my DD was already at 42 degrees on her largest curve because it's no where near as noticeable as her dads -- so I can't even imagine what his is (I don't know all the technical terms yet -- she has an S type curve and the top/bottom curves are in the 20's but the middle one is 42).
      Becky
      Mom to DD (15) with S 48*+ curve
      Had her surgery March 9, 2009

      Comment


      • #4
        Beckymk,
        I have read your posting on how you got your 1st appt at a shriners.I am submitting my application on Monday.How long did it take for them to get back to you?
        Mother of Nichole 12yrs old and Madison 4yrs old

        Comment


        • #5
          mylittleangel,

          Did you try calling Shriners? I know people that got their appt. over the phone. I actually contacted them in writing three years ago but never filled out an "application" and my son got an appt. within about a month. Hope this helps.
          mariaf305@yahoo.com
          Mom to David, age 17, braced June 2000 to March 2004
          Vertebral Body Stapling 3/10/04 for 40 degree curve (currently mid 20's)

          https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScoliosisTethering/

          http://pediatricspinefoundation.org/

          Comment


          • #6
            Yes I did call.They told me there is such a high number of new scoli patients,that I need to apply and fax in my request.Which I really am ok with.I do have coverage and she is being seen by a dr now.So they told me the waiting list could be 6 months out.I dont care for my current Dr,as I have said but that could only mean a additional visit or two.I am willing to wait as long as I get in there.As this seems to be a long battle for kids w/ scoli.
            Mother of Nichole 12yrs old and Madison 4yrs old

            Comment


            • #7
              mylittleangel,

              Since there is such a long wait for Scoli patients at Shriner's, I would suggest that you ask them to call you if they get a cancellation. I'm not sure if they can/will do that any more, but it doesn't hurt to ask.


              Mary Lou
              Mom to Jamie age 21-diagnosed at age 12-spinal fusion 12/7/2004-fused from T3-L2; and Tracy age 19, mild Scoliosis-diagnosed at age 18.

              Comment


              • #8
                Mylittleangel,

                I would follow up with a phone call - just checking that the fax was received and asking about the status. Because they do see so many patients, sometimes, as the saying goes "it's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil".

                Mary Lou made a good point about cancellations. That's actually how my son got his surgery date. I think the fact that I called every few weeks to check the status kept them from forgetting about us - and when a cancellation did occur we got the call. I"m sure he was near the top of the list at that point anyway, but a polite phone call can't hurt.

                Good luck,
                mariaf305@yahoo.com
                Mom to David, age 17, braced June 2000 to March 2004
                Vertebral Body Stapling 3/10/04 for 40 degree curve (currently mid 20's)

                https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScoliosisTethering/

                http://pediatricspinefoundation.org/

                Comment


                • #9
                  mylittleangle,

                  Fax in your application and then call to verify, I was told the exact same thing a year ago. I faxed my application in the morning and called that same afternoon and her initial consultation was two week later.

                  It never hurts to try.

                  Amanda
                  Amanda

                  Mom to Lorena 7 yrs old
                  Diagnosed 8/2005 ~ 26 Degree Curve
                  Progressed to 42 Degrees by Dec 05
                  Milwakee Brace 1/16/06 - 6/26/06
                  Vertebral Stapling on 6/26/06 @ Shriners in Philadelphia
                  26 Degree Post Op Curve
                  Last X-Rays December 07 ~ 26 Degree Curve
                  Email: domingo_amandapompa@msn.com
                  Website: www.vertebralstapling.com
                  YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6GmX3K7FIs

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by mylittleangel
                    Beckymk,
                    I have read your posting on how you got your 1st appt at a shriners.I am submitting my application on Monday.How long did it take for them to get back to you?
                    I'm sorry I didn't see this until just now. We got it fairly quickly. It was end of October we did it & we had the approval letter in Nov. 11 for a Dec. appointment.

                    You probably have already heard by now.
                    Becky
                    Mom to DD (15) with S 48*+ curve
                    Had her surgery March 9, 2009

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Beckymk,
                      I faxed in my application on a friday.I called back on Tuesday morning to make sure they recieved it and to check the status.They gave me my appt right then.It was for about 3 weeks out,we go on Feb.5!!! I cant wait.All the members on the site told me to call an check so I did.Just fax /mail and then call them immediately.Best of luck to you.which Shriners are you applying for?My daughter will be going to St. Louis.
                      Mother of Nichole 12yrs old and Madison 4yrs old

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by mylittleangel
                        Beckymk,
                        I faxed in my application on a friday.I called back on Tuesday morning to make sure they recieved it and to check the status.They gave me my appt right then.It was for about 3 weeks out,we go on Feb.5!!! I cant wait.All the members on the site told me to call an check so I did.Just fax /mail and then call them immediately.Best of luck to you.which Shriners are you applying for?My daughter will be going to St. Louis.
                        We go to Chicago.

                        Since your appointment is tomorrow, let us know how it goes.

                        We have our check-up at the end of this month to see how DD is doing in the brace. I'm sure she will be thrilled when they tighten it. At least that is what the orthotist said would probably happen, since he marked it & said don't expect that to be set in stone, that at her check they might tighten it more, etc...
                        Becky
                        Mom to DD (15) with S 48*+ curve
                        Had her surgery March 9, 2009

                        Comment

                        Working...
                        X