My son just turned 12 years old & our orthopedic surgeon has recommended surgery for his congenital scoliosis. He has a hemivertebra at T10/11 causing what is now a 45 degree curve. He also has a lumbar curve which is now 60+ degrees - we had thought this latter curve was a "simple" compensatory curve but the Dr. believes there may be a vertebral bar causing or contributing to the curve. My son has been in a TLSO brace for almost 4 years. We have tried acupuncture, craniosacral massage, hellerwork massage & chiropractic to try to stabilize the curves & avoid surgery. But since he seems to be beginning his adolescent growth spurt, both curves are increasing. The lower curve has grown 10 degrees since last Sept.
I am so worried about & obsessed with this situation. He is still so short, only 4' 9" tall & I know he'll lose several inches off his final height with this surgery. I've also now had a second surgical opinion & the 2nd Dr. seems to feel that we need to do anterior & posterior surgery to prevent Crankshaft issues from arising. The Dr. we've been seeing since my son was 5 yo only said we'd do only a posterior fusion. They both seem to want to do a very long fusion - from T4 - L3 or L4. My son is a very smart, regular kid & I'm worried about future lack of mobility & the overall impact of a fused spine on his physical, social & emotional development.
Does anyone have any advice/reassurance/anything to tell me about what they, or their children went thru with this? I'm barely able to sleep & often walk around crying when my kids are at school but manage to put on a happy face for the kids when they're home.
I've been reading other people's posts for several days now & finally had to write one myself. I really appreciate any support or words of wisdom anyone has to offer. Sorry this post is so long & wordy. I can't seem to stop writing once I start.
Laurie
I am so worried about & obsessed with this situation. He is still so short, only 4' 9" tall & I know he'll lose several inches off his final height with this surgery. I've also now had a second surgical opinion & the 2nd Dr. seems to feel that we need to do anterior & posterior surgery to prevent Crankshaft issues from arising. The Dr. we've been seeing since my son was 5 yo only said we'd do only a posterior fusion. They both seem to want to do a very long fusion - from T4 - L3 or L4. My son is a very smart, regular kid & I'm worried about future lack of mobility & the overall impact of a fused spine on his physical, social & emotional development.
Does anyone have any advice/reassurance/anything to tell me about what they, or their children went thru with this? I'm barely able to sleep & often walk around crying when my kids are at school but manage to put on a happy face for the kids when they're home.
I've been reading other people's posts for several days now & finally had to write one myself. I really appreciate any support or words of wisdom anyone has to offer. Sorry this post is so long & wordy. I can't seem to stop writing once I start.
Laurie
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