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  • Check-Up

    Hi, I went for a check-up today to see my orthopedist. Since I am 15 (almost 16) and definitely full-grown, I was hoping that my spine would not have progressed. However, the news was not that good. My lumbar curve had progressed from 43 to 52 degrees in about 10 months. My orthopedist is concerned and said that this is abnormal, since I am long done growing. My spine curvature had progressed at a faster rate as I have become older. He referred me to get an MRI, because he thinks there may be some other problems with my spine. My jaw literally dropped when the word "neurosurgeon" came out of his mouth. He says there is a possibility I have a syrinx (tethered spinal cord. I think that's what it's called), a cyst on my spinal cord, or something where my brain was growing out of the base of my skull (Sorry I forgot the technical term lol.) I must say, I am pretty scared. And he also recommends surgery on my spine, if it progresses any more.
    Has any one else had an experience with any of the spine conditions I listed?

    Thanks,

    Rachel

  • #2
    Rachel,

    I'm sorry your spine has continued to progress.

    Like you, my daughter's spine continued to curve even after she reached skeletal maturity. She too had an MRI before surgery and they found nothing out of the ordinary. I hope that the case for you.

    There are at least a few people on this site who have had experience with the conditions you mentioned and hopefully they'll reply. You might want to go to the SpineKids forum.....I know there are several kids/teens there who have been treated for the conditions you've mentioned.

    Good luck.

    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.

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    • #3
      MRI will be a great help

      Hi Rachel

      I am actually much older than you--37. But, I just had MRI's last year and I have a possible syrinx and possible Chiari (maybe that is what you were referring to). There are specialists for all of these things and it will be SO much better for you to find out while you are young. There is an excellent place in New York--thechiariinstitute.com--if this is what you have. The website is excellent and has lots of videos.

      I had surgery for an occult tethered cord last December and it has helped a great deal. This was unknown when I was a teenager and had worn a brace for 5 years--which didn't really slow down things too well.

      Please know that I am thinking of you. Yet--please be so grateful that things like this can be detected much younger now. I had to wait for 20 years for technology to catch up with me. In these twenty years my spine has worsened and I'm having surgery in Feb '10.

      Take care. Post more questions as you find out more. I'll try to help if I can.
      Jennifer

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