Wasn't sure how to title this post, but, sorry for the long post and here goes:
My 12 1/2 year old daughter was fused last August from T2-T11, she had curves of 61T and 53L at time. The lumbar curve was thought to be compensating (her bending xray reduced to <15), so was not corrected. We had our 6 month post op on Feb 28, and, sad to say, her doctor says her lumbar curve isn't where he wanted it to be by now (it's still about 35 degrees), and, apparently there is now some rotation going on. Her right shoulder blade and front chest wall are sticking out (not horribly, but worse than right after surgery), and her waistline is not even (because her curves were so well balanced before surgery, these things were not really issues then). So, he has told us to wait and watch closely but, that further fusion to L2 may be needed down the road.
He said we could try wearing a brace again (which she didn't really comply with in the first place), go to physical therapy...basically anything we wanted to try he would approve. There was also some discussion on leg length because she appears straight when she bends her right knee, however, that tilts her pelvis, so, he doesn't really believe that there is a leg length issue.
Well, we decided to try physical therapy first - the doctor wrote it for postural training. Got 2 opinions, one said to wear a slight lift in one shoe for about a month or so to force the muscles to retrain to the other side -- also, a great deal of looking at leg length, finally decided that she doesn't have a leg length issue. He didn't really want her to do any exercises because she would just be strengthening both sides of her back...said maybe in a month he would try that. He also didn't really sound like he knew a great deal about scoliosis. Second pt spent a loooong time looking at leg length and her feet. She claims to be into bio mechanics, suggested many things similar to an article just posted on these boards concerning bending and standing. She says daughter does have unusual wearing of foot pad on right foot, which can indicate a leg length issue, but--all other tests of this are negative (bending of knees while lieing down...). She did give her some exercises to do which focus on bending at waist and rotating spine while bending. Doctor says exercises are ok for her to do (I was worried to see her bending after 6 months of no bending). This pt also wants orthotics for feet (simply arches that can be inserted in both shoes)--and, I have to say my daughter often complains of her feet hurting, and has worn Dr. Scholl's arches in many shoes if they don't give enough support. So, this too seems like valid advice. I believe we're going with the second pt, daughter likes her better, however, I have not seen great compliance with doing the exercises at home (we only saw her last Wednesday, though).
Anyways, I am wondering if there is anyone else out there who may have had to go down this road, it kind of seems like we are where we were before the fusion (depressing thought). But, I am also wondering if anyone knows if VBS is an option at this time (at the time of her first surgery, I believe her curves were too large), she was very flexible at the time of surgery, and still seems to be, but the last 6 months of relative inactivity may have changed all of that.
Thanks for any suggestions or input from anyone---
My 12 1/2 year old daughter was fused last August from T2-T11, she had curves of 61T and 53L at time. The lumbar curve was thought to be compensating (her bending xray reduced to <15), so was not corrected. We had our 6 month post op on Feb 28, and, sad to say, her doctor says her lumbar curve isn't where he wanted it to be by now (it's still about 35 degrees), and, apparently there is now some rotation going on. Her right shoulder blade and front chest wall are sticking out (not horribly, but worse than right after surgery), and her waistline is not even (because her curves were so well balanced before surgery, these things were not really issues then). So, he has told us to wait and watch closely but, that further fusion to L2 may be needed down the road.
He said we could try wearing a brace again (which she didn't really comply with in the first place), go to physical therapy...basically anything we wanted to try he would approve. There was also some discussion on leg length because she appears straight when she bends her right knee, however, that tilts her pelvis, so, he doesn't really believe that there is a leg length issue.
Well, we decided to try physical therapy first - the doctor wrote it for postural training. Got 2 opinions, one said to wear a slight lift in one shoe for about a month or so to force the muscles to retrain to the other side -- also, a great deal of looking at leg length, finally decided that she doesn't have a leg length issue. He didn't really want her to do any exercises because she would just be strengthening both sides of her back...said maybe in a month he would try that. He also didn't really sound like he knew a great deal about scoliosis. Second pt spent a loooong time looking at leg length and her feet. She claims to be into bio mechanics, suggested many things similar to an article just posted on these boards concerning bending and standing. She says daughter does have unusual wearing of foot pad on right foot, which can indicate a leg length issue, but--all other tests of this are negative (bending of knees while lieing down...). She did give her some exercises to do which focus on bending at waist and rotating spine while bending. Doctor says exercises are ok for her to do (I was worried to see her bending after 6 months of no bending). This pt also wants orthotics for feet (simply arches that can be inserted in both shoes)--and, I have to say my daughter often complains of her feet hurting, and has worn Dr. Scholl's arches in many shoes if they don't give enough support. So, this too seems like valid advice. I believe we're going with the second pt, daughter likes her better, however, I have not seen great compliance with doing the exercises at home (we only saw her last Wednesday, though).
Anyways, I am wondering if there is anyone else out there who may have had to go down this road, it kind of seems like we are where we were before the fusion (depressing thought). But, I am also wondering if anyone knows if VBS is an option at this time (at the time of her first surgery, I believe her curves were too large), she was very flexible at the time of surgery, and still seems to be, but the last 6 months of relative inactivity may have changed all of that.
Thanks for any suggestions or input from anyone---
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