New x-ray shows slight increase

[2kids]

Today my daughter went back to Children's Hospital for a follow-up with the orthopedic surgeon. The new x-rays showed T-33, L-16 (out-of-brace). This is an increase from June when she was T-20, L-16 (in-brace). He did not seem overly concerned because the numbers are nowhere near requiring surgery (50 plus). However, I was disappointed all the same. A 13 degree increase seems large to me. I am thankful things are not serious, but knowing the curves will never lower, I had hoped her diligence with the brace would keep the curves stable. She has been so good about wearing the brace.

Do I understand things correctly? I know this was an out-of-brace x-ray this time, so is it alright to be that much higher? She has grown 10 cm in the past two years. I guess that is a lot in a short period of time. Also, he said she was still Risser 0.

We go to the orthotist (Luke) on Wednesday. Not sure what he will do. I wonder if this new brace is effective. Should I be concerned or is this just how things go?

[LindaRacine]

Hi...

According to your signature, the increase is, at worst, a 10 degree increase.


Oct 2007: T-20*, L-20* [160 cm]
Mar 2008: T-24*, L-24* [163 cm], started with Cheneau brace
May 2008: T-16*, L-7* (in-brace) [164.2 cm]
Oct 2008: T-23*, L-15* (out-of-brace) [167 cm]
Feb 2009: T-20*, L-18* (in-brace) 2nd Cheneau
Jun 2009: T-20*, L-16* (in-brace) [172.2 cm]
Dec 2009: T-33*, L-16* (out-of-brace) [173.8 cm]
The last out of brace measurement was T23, and is now T33. Since she's grown a lot in the last year, that's probably a pretty decent result.

--Linda

[mamandcrm]

Hi 2kids,

Compare your last out of brace with your new out of brace, as Linda said, that's a 10 degree increase. While that's definitely an increase, your daughter is over 14 and hopefully near finished growing, and may be through the largest of her growth spurts so from that perspective, she's doing OK. Just need to hold on a little longer, and hopefully finish out under 35 degrees (where the likelihood of her increasing after maturity is lower, I believe).

[2kids]

Thanks! The doctor said he thinks she has 1.5-2" of growth remaining. I was surprised she was at Risser 0 since she began mensus last February.

Do these new results indicate the brace is holding the lower curve, but not the upper curve? Is it normal to have success with one curve but not the other?

[mamandcrm]

I would say those are questions for Luke (we see him too) as he knows this brace better than anyone. Yes, it certainly appears that it is doing an excellent job on the lower curve and the top one is proving more difficult to hold, although you are still far from surgical levels so that's good.

[bracegirl]

The first thing you should have Luke do is remeasure the Xray. Once, my surgeon told me that my curves went up 10 degrees, bringing them to a near surgical level. We immediately flew out to see Luke, and he remeasured the xrays. turns out a resident measured mine, and they were way off. Luke is very very very precise when measuring, and it made all the difference in the world! Luke is extremely knowledgeable and will know what's best for your daughter! hang in there!

[2kids]

Thank you! That is good advice. I believe her doctor at Children's Hospital is the person who is measuring the angles each time. But you do make a very good point. I guess each person who measures the curves could come up with something different.

I ended up leaving these new x-rays with Luke. He said my daughter has outgrown her brace as she grew 2" and gained about 10 lbs since it was made. He took measurements to make a new one.