This is my first post, while I've been reading for days now. I've been hesitant to post.
My son is 14, 9months and at his first XRAY/Dr appt. last week his scoliosis curves are T55, L42, riser 4. The doctors says he has a very flat spine so it was hard to see initally, that it has probably been there for awhile. The doctor recommends Surgery!!!! This was our first visit to a specialist, he was only first diagnosed 7 months ago by his pediatrician at a routine checkup saying he was between 10-20 and to come back in 6 months. I did notice it get worse so I went ahead and scheduled the specialist before seeing the pediatrician again. Took 6 weeks to get that appointment. We were clearly expecting to hear bracing and try some heavy PT.
Getting an MRI next and found something about standup MRI. I am wondering if that would give a better picture than a traditional MRI? Also found information on EOS imaging but I haven't been able to find a machine in the southeast. Five hospitals in the USA now have it.
After an MRI we will get a second opinion..... But I strongly feel if his curve measurements are accurate: T55, L42 then every Dr. out there will follow statics and say he needs surgery.
Fortunately, my son is okay with the thought of rods. The day he found out he said "mom I don't want to rush it, but I don't want to put it off either". He is willing to try everything possible for the next 6 months or so, but He doesn't want to be in his 30's feeling the pain and regretting not doing surgery. To my surprise he did do some research and saw where large curves tend to keep progressing 1-2* per year in adulthood. Given that, he thinks surgery seems to offer the best case for his future.
I did speak with a local PT doing the Scroth Method but that is more for people under 40* and of course I hear from friends who say go to a Chiro. We've never been a family that uses chiropractic care and again would be more open if his curve wasn't so large.
Right now, it is hard for me to support surgery when he is pain free! In a way it would have be an easier decision had he be living in a brace with pain and curve progressing. At times I think we should wait until he needs relief but then I am truly worried his curve is moving fast and we miss a window to get the best results. The doctor said he was riser 4, but I've read that boys don't always fit the growth pattern of girls. As if the riser measurement may show 4 but they can hit a growth spurt later. My husband says he did continue to grow in college. He is 6'1 and my son is 5'5" now. He had two growth spurt in the last 12/14 months, gaining 4 inches total. But it looks like some of that was in his knees since they have horriable stretch marks!
I'd really like to see where he is in 3 months. Is it awful to get another Xray then, he's only had one?
Since we haven't been thinking surgery, I had no questions prepared for the Dr. and now I'd like to know how the rods have improved. Are they several choices? How do they feel after 10-15 years? Of course those patients may have different instruments. Although I am scared to ask, what are the down side to rods long term. It seems like some people end up having multiple surgeries, even later as adutls. Maybe those are people who only had 1 curve fused initially. He would be fused from T5-L4. I am only finding the good testimonies online. I sent my son this link with awesome testimonies http://www.iscoliosis.com/patient.html
I am awaiting this book next week, "Scoliosis Surgery: The Definitive Patient's Reference (3rd Edition)." Hopefully it will give me hope and insight in how to proceed.
Overwhelmed, sad and confused..
My son is 14, 9months and at his first XRAY/Dr appt. last week his scoliosis curves are T55, L42, riser 4. The doctors says he has a very flat spine so it was hard to see initally, that it has probably been there for awhile. The doctor recommends Surgery!!!! This was our first visit to a specialist, he was only first diagnosed 7 months ago by his pediatrician at a routine checkup saying he was between 10-20 and to come back in 6 months. I did notice it get worse so I went ahead and scheduled the specialist before seeing the pediatrician again. Took 6 weeks to get that appointment. We were clearly expecting to hear bracing and try some heavy PT.
Getting an MRI next and found something about standup MRI. I am wondering if that would give a better picture than a traditional MRI? Also found information on EOS imaging but I haven't been able to find a machine in the southeast. Five hospitals in the USA now have it.
After an MRI we will get a second opinion..... But I strongly feel if his curve measurements are accurate: T55, L42 then every Dr. out there will follow statics and say he needs surgery.
Fortunately, my son is okay with the thought of rods. The day he found out he said "mom I don't want to rush it, but I don't want to put it off either". He is willing to try everything possible for the next 6 months or so, but He doesn't want to be in his 30's feeling the pain and regretting not doing surgery. To my surprise he did do some research and saw where large curves tend to keep progressing 1-2* per year in adulthood. Given that, he thinks surgery seems to offer the best case for his future.
I did speak with a local PT doing the Scroth Method but that is more for people under 40* and of course I hear from friends who say go to a Chiro. We've never been a family that uses chiropractic care and again would be more open if his curve wasn't so large.
Right now, it is hard for me to support surgery when he is pain free! In a way it would have be an easier decision had he be living in a brace with pain and curve progressing. At times I think we should wait until he needs relief but then I am truly worried his curve is moving fast and we miss a window to get the best results. The doctor said he was riser 4, but I've read that boys don't always fit the growth pattern of girls. As if the riser measurement may show 4 but they can hit a growth spurt later. My husband says he did continue to grow in college. He is 6'1 and my son is 5'5" now. He had two growth spurt in the last 12/14 months, gaining 4 inches total. But it looks like some of that was in his knees since they have horriable stretch marks!
I'd really like to see where he is in 3 months. Is it awful to get another Xray then, he's only had one?
Since we haven't been thinking surgery, I had no questions prepared for the Dr. and now I'd like to know how the rods have improved. Are they several choices? How do they feel after 10-15 years? Of course those patients may have different instruments. Although I am scared to ask, what are the down side to rods long term. It seems like some people end up having multiple surgeries, even later as adutls. Maybe those are people who only had 1 curve fused initially. He would be fused from T5-L4. I am only finding the good testimonies online. I sent my son this link with awesome testimonies http://www.iscoliosis.com/patient.html
I am awaiting this book next week, "Scoliosis Surgery: The Definitive Patient's Reference (3rd Edition)." Hopefully it will give me hope and insight in how to proceed.
Overwhelmed, sad and confused..
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