First, let me introduce my son, Hugo, who was first diagnosed with infantile idiopathic scoliosis in May, 1994 at age 2 with a 28 degree left thoracolumbar curve. August 15th that year he had his first visit with Miss Min Mehta, FRCS and a second x-ray, which showed that his curve had progressed to 48 degrees. She placed Hugo in his first plaster cast the next day. He and I returned to England from Dallas 9 times in the next 18 months, for him to be sedated, tractioned and casted, while his curve came down to 25 degrees. At this point ( he was 4), Miss Mehta said there no more she could do for him; it was time for Hugo to wear a brace and be treated locally.
And so life went on; from age 4 to 10, Hugo wore a brace 23 hours a day and his curve gradually progressed to 36 degrees. Once again I researched; once again I thought I found the answer; once again Hugo did what I thought best. We went to Philadelphia, we met Dr Betz, and Hugo was approved for an investigational treatment, vertebral body stapling. It was painful, but for the last 5 years Hugo was brace free. Two months after the surgery (12/2001), his curve was in the teens. Over the next several years it ranged between 25 and 35 degrees, which we checked locally.
Lately, I didn't think Hugo's back looked good. He's now 15. I called Shriner's in Philadelphia, and told them that he had had a growth spurt and that I thought he needed to be seen. We went on Tuesday (2/6/07), which was within a week of my call from Dallas, which was considerate, because Dr Betz wasn't there (he'll be back next week). The x-ray showed a 67 degree curve, one broken staple, and a Risser of 1. The doctor we saw couldn't suggest a treatment plan because Dr Betz needs to review Hugo's records. Dr Betz will be calling me next week. Meanwhile, I have alot of questions.
From researching scoliosis over the last 13 years, I have culled the names of Dr Boachie and the Minnesota Spine Clinic as primo for fusion and reconstruction. Is there a surgeon who is tops for adolescent boys with a thoracolumbar scoliosis who want to be a tall as they possibly can be? That's what Hugo wants.
A long shot, I know, but it doesn't hurt to ask. And it just gets more embarassing, so don't look if you're squeamish....
The other pressing question I have which I have never seen addressed is...is male sexual performance effected after a spinal fusion? Is the missionary position an option? Can a pelvic thrust be done?
If you read this far, thanks. If I can answer questions, please feel free to ask. As you can tell, I'm not particularly bashful. I know I've got to research all over again, and I'm going back to our local med school library tomorrow (the internet just teases with medical abstracts...I need the whole article). But I am a little bit weary, and would welcome suggestions, advice, or pointers. As all parents of a scoliotic child know, we would willingly take this condition from our child, but we can't. I am still brave for him, but this time, that he's 15 and wise, it was really hard to see him cry.
I'm crying again, like I did a long time ago.
Hugo's mom
Camille
And so life went on; from age 4 to 10, Hugo wore a brace 23 hours a day and his curve gradually progressed to 36 degrees. Once again I researched; once again I thought I found the answer; once again Hugo did what I thought best. We went to Philadelphia, we met Dr Betz, and Hugo was approved for an investigational treatment, vertebral body stapling. It was painful, but for the last 5 years Hugo was brace free. Two months after the surgery (12/2001), his curve was in the teens. Over the next several years it ranged between 25 and 35 degrees, which we checked locally.
Lately, I didn't think Hugo's back looked good. He's now 15. I called Shriner's in Philadelphia, and told them that he had had a growth spurt and that I thought he needed to be seen. We went on Tuesday (2/6/07), which was within a week of my call from Dallas, which was considerate, because Dr Betz wasn't there (he'll be back next week). The x-ray showed a 67 degree curve, one broken staple, and a Risser of 1. The doctor we saw couldn't suggest a treatment plan because Dr Betz needs to review Hugo's records. Dr Betz will be calling me next week. Meanwhile, I have alot of questions.
From researching scoliosis over the last 13 years, I have culled the names of Dr Boachie and the Minnesota Spine Clinic as primo for fusion and reconstruction. Is there a surgeon who is tops for adolescent boys with a thoracolumbar scoliosis who want to be a tall as they possibly can be? That's what Hugo wants.
A long shot, I know, but it doesn't hurt to ask. And it just gets more embarassing, so don't look if you're squeamish....
The other pressing question I have which I have never seen addressed is...is male sexual performance effected after a spinal fusion? Is the missionary position an option? Can a pelvic thrust be done?
If you read this far, thanks. If I can answer questions, please feel free to ask. As you can tell, I'm not particularly bashful. I know I've got to research all over again, and I'm going back to our local med school library tomorrow (the internet just teases with medical abstracts...I need the whole article). But I am a little bit weary, and would welcome suggestions, advice, or pointers. As all parents of a scoliotic child know, we would willingly take this condition from our child, but we can't. I am still brave for him, but this time, that he's 15 and wise, it was really hard to see him cry.
I'm crying again, like I did a long time ago.
Hugo's mom
Camille
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