Hello All,
Our 11-year old daughter, Sachi, was diagnosed with Scoliosis by the Pediatrician over 2 years back. Since we are in a suburb close to Dallas, TX, we were referred to the TSRHC (Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children). Dr. Tony Herring and his staff have been following her progress. At that time itself, her lumbar curve was at almost 50 degrees. We were told that she would need to undergo surgery at some stage, but a brace would be used to hold her curves down as much as possible. She went through a couple of braces, one of them being the Boston brace, and the other a TSRHC brace.
Late last month, it was found that her curves have had an appreciable jump. Per the X-rays taken, the lower lumbar curve is at 77 degrees, and the upper thoracic curve is at 52 degrees. We were told that surgery needed to be performed within the next few months to avoid any complications. Since Dr. Herring does not perform surgeries anymore, we had our first meeting with Dr. Lori Karol. She recommended both Posterior incision (for the 2 curves) and Anterior incision to avoid crankshafting (Sachi just turned 11). The doctor mentioned that both the curves will be in the 30s after the surgery, and she will fuse T5 to L4. Surgery has been tentatively scheduled to be in mid-November.
We have been taken aback by the sudden turn of events, and the need to perform surgery in the immediate future, instead of say when Sachi is 15, and her growth reasonably more complete.
We had a few questions and it would be great if some of the experienced forum members could reply with what they know on any of the below questions.
Jai
Our 11-year old daughter, Sachi, was diagnosed with Scoliosis by the Pediatrician over 2 years back. Since we are in a suburb close to Dallas, TX, we were referred to the TSRHC (Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children). Dr. Tony Herring and his staff have been following her progress. At that time itself, her lumbar curve was at almost 50 degrees. We were told that she would need to undergo surgery at some stage, but a brace would be used to hold her curves down as much as possible. She went through a couple of braces, one of them being the Boston brace, and the other a TSRHC brace.
Late last month, it was found that her curves have had an appreciable jump. Per the X-rays taken, the lower lumbar curve is at 77 degrees, and the upper thoracic curve is at 52 degrees. We were told that surgery needed to be performed within the next few months to avoid any complications. Since Dr. Herring does not perform surgeries anymore, we had our first meeting with Dr. Lori Karol. She recommended both Posterior incision (for the 2 curves) and Anterior incision to avoid crankshafting (Sachi just turned 11). The doctor mentioned that both the curves will be in the 30s after the surgery, and she will fuse T5 to L4. Surgery has been tentatively scheduled to be in mid-November.
We have been taken aback by the sudden turn of events, and the need to perform surgery in the immediate future, instead of say when Sachi is 15, and her growth reasonably more complete.
We had a few questions and it would be great if some of the experienced forum members could reply with what they know on any of the below questions.
- Has anyone else been to TSRHC for Scoliosis surgery? What is your feedback? In the 2011 rankings of Hospitals in the US News and World Report, Children's Medical Center has been clubbed together with TSRHC. The combination is rated highly at #3 for Orthopedics. We were just wondering how much of the ranking is attributable to TSRHC.
- Is the sole purpose of the Anterior surgery to avoid crankshafting? Or does it also help in correcting the Lumbar curve? (I know we have to ask this question to the surgeon next time we get to meet her).
- We were told that “allograft” will be used instead of Sachi’s own bone graft. How does “allograft” compare to BMP? (We have asked the nurse this question and she will get back to us).
- On this forum, I have read many cases where the curves have been reduced to be in the teens (atleast lesser than being in the 30s) even though they started at about where my daughter currently is. Do you think the doctor is stating 30s just to not raise hopes, and surprise us with a bigger correction post-surgery? Just wondering.
- Also, if her curves will be in the 30s, will she still get pain when she becomes older and is in her 30s/40s/50s?
- What kind of flexibility loss is there with a fusion that spans T5 to L4? Will Sachi be able to bend and participate in Tae Kwon Do?
- I have heard about “Minimal Invasive” surgery in Scoliosis. Is it worth pursuing this option, considering that Sachi has such high degree curves?
- TSRHC is very highly regarded. Do I need to get a second opinion? If not for anything, just to confirm that T5 – L4 is correct. Are there any recommendations in the Dallas area?
Jai
Comment