Curves??

[mylittleangel]

My daughter is 12 and diagnosed w/ scoli.As I read on the site everyone is given 2 different curves the T & L.Our doctor only gave us one.He didnt even tell us if it was T or L.At the time I was completely "stupid" to scoli.I am still researching to educate myself on my daughters condition.The Doctor told me she has a 35 3/4 curve.He put her in a tlso for 23/7.He added if it reaches 40 we will discuss surgery.Is it just me or are all doctors this uninformative?Any help as far as what I am looking at would be helpful.Also maybe some advice on the type of questions I need to be asking??

[LindaRacine]

Hi...

I wouldn't be too rough on the doctor. I can tell you from multiple experiences, that most people actually comprehend much less than they're told during visits to scoliosis specialists. It's not that we don't understand the terminology, it's that it's just a lot to digest in a single session.

I'm curious about the 35 3/4 curve measurement you mention. I've never heard of measurements expressed in fractions. Do you have any more info?

Regards,
Linda

P.S. You may want to move this thread to the Parents of Adolescent section instead of the Parents of Adults section.

http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=105

[rainbow2010]

My curve is a "C" shaped and my daughter curved to one side. The T and L refer to the area of the spine. My curve starts in the thorasic area and goes down into the lumbar area. I know that when we found out about mine over 30 years ago, the doctor didn't give much information at first. I learned more about mine after I had my surgery and he was teaching the new doctors about it! I learned a lot about scoliosis over the years, so I knew what to ask when my daughter developed a curve. My current doctor was trained by my original doctor (and I live in a different state from where I had my surgery). My suggestion is to read as much as you can about scoliosis and have a written list of questions for when you go back.

[mylittleangel]

Linda Im not completely sure on these numbers I was given.To be honest I need to get back in the Drs. and find out what I have misunderstood.I have called but was told I have to wait til my next visit.To be honest the day was a blur,I went because of a letter sent home from school(honestly not thinking much of it)Next thing I knnow they are casting her for a brace it all happened so fast.I think I was in shock,because I expected to be sent home and told to keep an eye on it sorta thing.We will go back ar end of March unless as I hope Shriners gets us in.

[mylittleangel]

Rainbow, I do need to ask so many questions and they all came to me on our 2 hr ride home So are you saying you only have one curve?Because I know I probably misunderstood alot that day,but I am positive he only gave me one set of numbers.

[rainbow2010]

My curve is a "C" shape, so I was told it was 50 degrees. If you see two different curve numbers, the person has an "S" shaped curve and they are listing both curves. The top and bottom of my spine line up, but my spine curves out at my waist line on one side. You said they are putting your daughter in a brace. Did they xray her wrist first? If the growth plate in her wrist is closed, she is finished growing and a brace will not help. I took my daughter to a doctor and her wanted to put her in a brace without checking to see if she was finished growing. I took her to another doctor and her check to see if she was finished growing and she had. A brace would do nothing for her. She had surgery a year later.

[purecain]

if its only just developing then she needs a brace making. you can have a cloth brace made for her which will fit easily under her clothes such that it would be impossible to notice. also check her hips. if one side is higher than the other then she probably has one leg slightly shorter than the other(as does every normal person) correct this with a heel lift inside her shoe. dont have shoes made with one big heel and one small as it doesnt look right and she'll get teased.
i only wish i had known these things when i was a child. i could of prevented my scholiosis from developing any further.
good luck i wish my father had been a little like you. also a cloth brace will help even if she has stopped growing. if anything it will ease the pressure of the twisting.

[macky]

Hi My little angel, I found your story interesting but was sorry it is happening though. I can remember all those years ago they only told me about the one thoracic degree curve and I had the operation. Years later, actually 2 years ago I got a letter from my surgeon as he was retiring and in it he told me that my scoliosis was particularly bad and I had a curve down the bottom as well. In other words I had a curve at the top going to the right as well as a curve down the bottom that my body tried to compensate with.

It was quite funny is a peculiar way as I honestly had no idea of the lumbar curve until then, hard to believe but the truth.

Dont get worried though honey as my thoracic curve was really bad, in fact higher that 85 degrees I think that was the minimum degree it was such a long time ago, I was only 12 at the time when diagnosed as well and had a lot of growing to do.

Rainbow has given you some great advice and Linda as well. You will learn a lot more as you go along, so please dont worry.

God bless,
Macky

[mylittleangel]

I have to say this site is the best resource ever.I have learned so much about scoli right here,from people going through it personally or for their children.As I have stated in other threads ,my daughter has an appt at Shriners of St. Louis.I feel so confident going into our first visit,mostly in part to all of you.I will have questions for once!!!I have keep a journal of questions for our new Dr.I went into our first appt completely unknowledgable and that is very scary.I now have a better understanding at what we are facing and most of my concerns for the future.I have been trying hard to educate my family so nothing else will come as a complete surprise.a medical problem can be the hardest stress you ever deal with.You people have made that so much easier,from the bottom of my heart I want to thank each and every one of you for your help compassion and just a new friend to talk to.I just hope as time goes on I can extend the same peace of mind to some one else as you have all done for me and my family.Again Thank you