6 years old 35º

[raquel y ana]

Hello everybody
My name is Raquel. I´m from Spain. My daugther who is 6 years old has been diagnosticated of scoliosis recently. In fact I was the one who detected something "not normal" in her chest (last left rib outcoming more than the other). The pediatric traumatolog told us she has a 35 degrees scoliosis and needed a brace. She has been in her boston brace for one month and a half. She is bearing it really great (I can´t believe it- she has no complains) but I´m worried about muscle atrophy and lack of effects. I have read a lot about spinecor and seems great but I ask a spanish doctor (only two places in Spain has spinecor) and he has never put it to someone so young (I asked him about it, he wouldn´t have told me). He told me to visit him but that fact discouraged me.

I´d love Celia Vogel or anyone else to answer some questions, please:

Do you think I should try with this doctor who never use it with someone so young?
I think I don´t have a lot of time because I have read that after more than 6 months in a rigid brace the spinecor has no longer effects. Is it so?
If I would spend a lot of money going to Canada for the first visit to put the brace in, would that be enough or we would need to make there much more visits?
How is it possible 35º without realizing anything before? Does that mean a bad future?

Please answer me I´m going crazy trying to take a decission (and it is harder to think of changing when she is doing great with the Boston brace)

Sorry for my english- hope I can make myself understood.

Thank you Thank you Thank you

[Celia]

Hi Raquel,

Your English is great by the way! :) When I first met with Dr. Rivard he explained to me that he had only fitted one other 4 year old child from Maine, U.S.A. with the spinecor brace and later I found out it was Ann's daughter, Lauren. Personally, I would not subject my daughter to countless years in a rigid brace but I know a few parents who have no problem with this and their children are doing incredibly well. Muscle atrophy was a very big concern for me, especially the muscles that support the spine.

I would find out what kind of success rate the two centres in Spain are having and even go for an initial consult and see the kind of correction your daughter gets with the Spinecor. I believe Ailea would be able to give you some feedback on the centres in Spain because her teenage daughter was going there for a period of time. If you're not happy with the centres and the initial correction, then by all means contact Montreal and go for a proper fitting there and then continue with treatment in Spain. That's what I would do!

Spinecor moms and dads, what do you think ? :p



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[Celia]

Raquel,

Are you sure there are only two centres in Spain? I found these centres when I did a search on Spinecorporation.com. Actually, if you phone Drs Rivard and Coillard, they would probably be able to tell you which centre in Spain is having the best success rate since I think they keep tabs on things like that and they would give you an honest answer :D

SPAIN


GERONA
CENTRE AND ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON
Dr Carlos Herrero i Jover
Centre d'Especialitats en Adolescencia i Pediatria
Mossén Joan Pons, 3 bxs
17007 Gerona, Spain
Tel: +34 972 200298
Fax: +34 972 200298
e-mail: carlosherrero@comg.es
Website: www.carlosherrero.es

PHYSIOTHERAPY
Ms Carme Armengol i Niell
Fsioart
C/Impressors Oliva 5, bxs
17005 Gerona
Tel/Fax: +34 972 210303


SPINECOR ANDALUCIA
DISTRIBUTOR
Carlos Barbero Rodriguez
G.I.B, S.L.
C/ Bami, 1 - 2°D
41013 Sevilla
Tel: +34 954 234523
Fax: +34 954 239796
email: cbr@ortopedia.com


SEVILLA
CENTRE AND ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON
Dr. A Vera Miller
(SpineCor Andalucia Technical Director)
Specialist in Orthopedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Centro De Enfermedades de la Columna Vertebral
C/Jauregui 4-6, portal D, B-2
41003 Seville
Tel: +34 954 513162
e-mail: alfvera@telefonica.net



ORTHOTISTS WORKSHOP
Mr Carlos Barbero Rodriguez
Ms Rocio Puerto Zambrano
Ms Maria Dolores Poley Navas
Ortopedia Bami Optica
Ortopedias Baro
C/ Marques Luca de Tena, 24
41013 Seville
Tel: +34 954 234523
Fax: +34 954 239796
email: cbr@ortopedia.com


ALBACETE
Dr Pilar Andujar
Dr Mercedes Cabañero
Dr Francisca Medrano
Dr Carmen Alonso
Dr Amelia Rubio
Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albecete
Hospital Perpetu Socorro
Servicio de Rehabilitación
C/ Seminario, 4
02006 Albacete


Dr Pilar Andujar
Grupo de Tratamiento Integral del Aparato Locomotor (ASA)
C/ Tejares, 75
02002 Albacete
Tel/Fax: +34 967 610037
Email: asarehabilitacion@ono.es


ORTHOTISTS WORKSHOP
Mr Antonio Javier Gómez Gonzàlez
Tecniorto
C/Rosario 64
02003 Albacete
Tel: +34 967 512581
Email: javitecniorto@hotmail.com
CENTO DE ADAPTACIÓN
Sr. José Luís Domínguez Piña
ORTOPEDIA PIÑA S.L.
C/ Pérez Galdós, 10
02003 Albacete
Tel: +34 967 501 614
Tel/Fax: +34 967 501 943
email: ortopi1980@ono.com



PHYSIOTHERAPY
Ms Leonor Torrado
Ms Laudelina Gonzàlez
Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete
Hospital Perptuo Socorro
Servico de Rehabilitación
C/ Seminario, 4
02006 Albacete
Ms Ma Inmaculada Moreno
Ms M Pilar Cózar
Ms Montserrat Pérez
Grupo de Tratamiento Integral del Aparato Locomotor (ASA)
C/ Tejares, 75
02002 Albacete
Tel/Fax: +34 967 610037



MURCIA
Dr Fernando Antonja Medina
IMUCOT
Avd.Primo de Rivera 4, 10C
30009 Murcia
Tel: +34 968 233953
Fax: +34 968 243943


ORTHOTISTS WORKSOP
Mr Juan Sabater Iniesta
Ortopedia San Juan Bosco
Avd. Primo de Rivera, 4
30008 Murcia
Tel: +34 968 241013


PHYSIOTHERAPY

Sra. Mª del Mar Sáez Meseguer

RAQUIS MURCIA S.L.

Avd. Primo de Rivera 4, 1ºC

3005 Murcia

Tel: 968 23 43 13

Email: m.mare@telepolis.com


Ms. Mª Pilar Carnicero García

Salud Pilates

C/ Gran Vía 19, 1º derecha

3005 Murcia

Tel: +34 968 930828

Email: info@salud-pilates.com



Ms. Mª José García Asensio

Ms. Inmaculada Díaz Nicolás

Clínica de Fisioterapia “El Palmar”

C/ Nuestra Señora de Lourdes 1, Bajo

30120 El Palmar – Murcia

Tel: 968 886411

Email: fisiopalmar@regmurcia.com



Ms. Josefa Herrera Lardín

Sra. Lidia García Bonache
Fisiosalud Librilla

C/ Francisco Melendreras, 13

30892 Librilla – Murcia

Tel: 968 790891



Sra. Carolina Zafrilla Disla

ZAFRILLA SERVICIOS MÉDICOS

C/ Parque Constitución 5, bajo

30510 Yecla – Murcia

Tel/Fax: 968 790891



Sra. Esther García Delgado

CENTRO MÉDICO TORRE-PACHECO

Avd. Europa 2

30700 Torre-Pacheco – Murcia

Tel: 968 585058

Fax: 968 579691

Email: esthergarc@terra.com


MADRID

Dra. Paloma Cervera
C/ García de Paredes 68, bajo centro drcha.
28010 Madrid
Tel: +34 91 446 2301
CENTO DE ADAPTACIÓN

Sra. Alicia Trallero
CENTRO CORAS
C/ Aravaca 12, 3ºC

28040 Madrid

Tel: 91 535 89 82

Email: consultas@centrocoras.com





PHYSIOTHERAPY
Sra. Alicia Trallero
CENTRO CORAS
C/ Aravaca 12, 3ºC

28040 Madrid

Tel: 91 535 89 82

Email: consultas@centrocoras.com

[christine2]

Happy Valentines day everyone. We are home today in a snow/ice storm. But that is Okay we can all use a "down day"


Raqual
My daughter is 6 and has been wearing spinecor since 8/06. We have had great results so far. The reason we chose spinecor is because of the muscle atrophy and lung compression associated with the ridgid braces. Also the ridgid braces claim to only slow progression. At 6 years old that seemed risky to me because of the # of years left to grow.

We were going to see a chiro for the brace but then were re directed to Montreal. It is a 7 hour drive one way for us but would not change a thing. I truely beleive in my head and in my heart that spinecor is our only chance to reduce the chance of surgery.

My daughter is also scheduled for an MRI next week. Has your daughter had one yet?
Christine

[Celia]

Happy Valentine's Christine! This will give you a chance to buy chocolates for your sweetie :D



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[raquel y ana]

I want to answer to Christine and Celia: I hope I´m writing this message in the right place. I am new using a forum :confused:

Thank you so much

It´s not only because you are telling me what I wanted to hear (put your daugther in spinecor) but also because I don´t feel so alone anymore.

I DO WANT to try SPINECOR but when I asked about it in the spanish forum only 2 people have tried it and without good ressults. Ailea was one of them, her daughter improved some (10 degrees) but then no more improvement and she gave up.

Celia:
you are right: there are more places. I called the one who was the first in Spain because of having more experience (but never handle such a young patient) and I read in his web he was in touch with the spinecor people from Montreal (he even has pictures with the "developpers" of Spinecor). This was the one from Gerona
Anyway I like your idea. Do you think I can send him a mail?. I´d rather write in english than speak it. Is the mail in the web?

Christine:
thank you for answering. It´s so important for me to hear a similar case. I´m glad is going so good to you.
Another question: do you think is normal to diagnos a 33 or 35º scoliosis at the first time? do you think that was so fast or doctors wouldn´t have noticed before for a mistake?

Both:
good luck and thank you

[raquel y ana]

Christine:
I am going to see the doctor on march the 13th. He told us he would probably then made an appointment for MRI. I mean we are getting one done but I don´t know exactly when

[Celia]

The fact that one particular doctor has never treated children so young would not discourage me unless he tells you that your daughter is too small for the brace and refuses to brace her. The spinecor brace is really intended for preadolescent children and so far it appears from our little group of parents that six year old children are having amazing results and correction with the brace - I know it's too early to tell but the results are very encouraging when you consider the alternative of countless years of rigid bracing and muscle atrophy/rib cage compression.


I got the following information from the Spinecorporation website:

MONTREAL
HOSPITAL AND ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS
Hôpital Sainte-Justine
3175, Chemin Côte Sainte-Catherine, Suite B-922
Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1C5
Contact: Dr. Charles Hilaire Rivard
Contact: Dr. Christine Coillard
Phone: (514) 345-4839
Fax: (514) 345-4723

e-mail: charles-hilaire.rivard@recherche-ste-justine.qc.ca

e-mail: christine.coillard@recherche-ste-justine.qc.ca

[christine2]

Raqual

I am not 100% sure I understand your ? but heres a shot. My daughter's back has been checked at every wellness visit. I remember seeing the doc do it. I do beleive that her curve did develope in less than 1 years time. My daughter has been growing fast in fact she is a little over an inch taller than her twin brother.

I remember reading somewhere that curves can increases quickly especially in young flexable backs. So We had our daughter braced in spinecor within 3 weeks of her diognosis. Dr Rivard must have been concerned about quick progression too, because he got us in that quickly!

Chrisitne

[pat]

Curves most certainly can change quickly, my oldest daughter was a 10T and 18L, and four short months later, she was at 33T and 45L.

I have a 13 year old in Spinecor now, she's been in it for about 16 months, and we're very pleased so far.
pat

[raquel y ana]

Thank you everybody

I hope you understand me. Sometimes I wonder if her paediatrician should have noticed something before she is in her 35º (5º degrees from surgery). I know he checks her back every year because I have seen him.

Anyway, it´s kind of silly from me to try to blame someone. I´m sorry. It doesn´t make any change. Only if you think I can sue him and he pays for all the treatment (trips to Montreal every month, spinecor, subsistence allowance... ha ha ha ;)

You already gave me your opinion about what it´s really important: I should try spinecor. Thank you.

[MATJESNIC]

Raquel,

I know how you feel. I am angry at Nicole's doctor because she noticed something and she didn't send me for x-rays or to an orthopedic. Other doctors in our practice do that for other patients. I waited an entire year before going back to her doctor and at that point her curve was 40.

Lucky for you that your daughter is so young and possibly her spine will do as well with Spinecor as the other little children on this site have done.

The most we can hope for with Nicole is that she doesn't get much worse.

Don't look back. Just look at today and the future. Believe me, I have wasted a lot of energy with guilt. It really is pointless.

But it is true that Dr. Rivard doesn't like to do the Spinecor after a child has been in a hard brace for too long. Please don't wait too long to decide what you are going to do. The best of luck to you.

[christine2]

I feel guilt as well. After the doctor pointed out my daughters curve I could have kicked myself for not seeing it before. There it was clear as day. But you are right we must look forward and not beat ourselves up over something that will not change.

[Celia]

I meant to say it works very well for a variety of curves and stages in development. When I said preadolescent I meant before the peak height velocity period and a curve below 30 degrees but Melissa's daughter Nicole is doing very well as is Cheryl's daughter Rachel, Pat's daughter and of course Gerbo's Lisanna.....did I miss anyone? :p



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[raquel y ana]

Christine:
Do not feel guilty. I am sure you see it clear now because of looking at it so many times. It happens to me: people don´t notice but I ask my poor daugther to bend a lot of times and I watch her back again and again.

Matjesnic:
Thank you. I won´t wait much longer but I want the doctor send us for MRI before and then I´ll go for it.

[MATJESNIC]

Also,

When you talk to Dr. Rivard, please ask him if he wants your daughter to not wear the hard brace until your appointment.

[coloradogirl]

Hola Raquel,
Que bien que eres de España. Entiendo que tienes una hija de seis años con una curva en la espina de 35 grados. Tengo 21 años y estoy en la universidad aquí en los Estados Unidos. Tengo tres curvas en la espalda, la peor a los 90 grados y no puedo tener la operación porque de una enfermedad de pulmones. Estuve en un programa muy semejante a Spinecore que se llamaba STRS (Scoliosis Treatment Recovery System). Entiendo muy bien que te preocupes sobre problemas con los músculos. Tu hija debe hacer ejercicios para los músculos, como tuve que hacer. Bueno, espero que me puedes contactar por mensaje privado. Siento que no puedo responder a las preguntas casi al fin de tu mensaje. Espero que este mensaje te ayuda un poco.

[raquel y ana]

hola coloradogirl
me alegro de conocerte. ¿de dónde eres? ¿cómo te llamas? ¿llevas ahora algún tratamiento? ¿cómo te encuentras?

hello everybody
Thank you all. Just as you all told me I talked with Dr. Rivard (by mail). He told me I can trust the spanish doctor and I´m going to try. He also said we should take out the boston brace (as you told me). But I´ll first wait for the MRI. I´ll tell you something new after 03/13/07 (visit with the doctor for MRI). Thank you all. Kisses

[MATJESNIC]

I want to learn Spanish!!!!!!!

[coloradogirl]

Hola Raquel,
Mucho gusto. Me llamo Callie y ahora tengo 21 años y estoy en la universidad. Porque de una enfermedad que tengo con los pulmones, no puedo tener la operación. El único método de tratamiento que puedo hacer es los ejercicios de yoga, algo que tendré que hacer para el resto de mi vida. Estos ejercicios pueden corregir completamente la espina y pueden ayudar con el dolor. Debo decir que no hay ninguna cura para el escoliosis porque es una deformación de la espina. Si te gustaría más información, puedes ver mi sitio de la red a http://www.geocities.com/scoliosis66 Voy a hacer una versión en español muy pronto.

[AILEA]

Raquel,
Good luck with the MRI, and if you choose the spinecor, I wish you the best.
You know, I chose the spinecor time ago, and perhaps it was not the best choice for us, but if I had to make the decision again, I would try it, especially if my daughter was as young as yours; We find her scoliosis when she was quite old for the spinecor, so I wish you have better results

Buena suerte y ya nos contarás. Nosotros tenemos la revisión el mismo día que tu hija la resonancia, a ver si nos va bien a las dos!

[raquel y ana]

Hi Ailea
Nice to "hear" from you again ha ha
Lo que tengo yo también es revisión, en la cual espero que me manden la resonancia, pero en inglés no quería enrollarme tanto, así que coincidimos. Aprovecharé la visita para comentarle al trauma lo del spinecor. Gracias por los ánimos, estoy decidida a probarlo (creo) pero si esta hija mía lo llevara un poquito mal (el Boston) pues eso ayudaría, pero es tan valiente la tía...
Espero que vuestra visita vaya muy bien. Ya me contarás
Yo soy de Navarra (Tudela) y las visitas las hacemos en el traumatólogo pediátrico de Pamplona. ¿Tú?