Hi
My son was diagnosed with scoliosis in 2003; he was 8 years old. His curve was around 20˚ then. He was watched for three years while his curve worsened. About 2 and a half years ago, he received a TLSO brace. Since then, his curve has progressed considerably and is now at 50˚. At least, that's what our doctor, Daniel Green at Hospital for Special Surgery, said as of last Tuesday when my son had his out of brace xray. Dr. Green recommended that we schedule fusion surgery for next summer vacation. I panicked. The result was that I quickly found this forum (whew!), as well as several others, where I came up with the name of Dr. Michael Vitale at Columbia Presbyterian, whom we saw today. Not only did he NOT recommend surgery, he said he measured my son's curve at only 42˚. He said there was no harm in waiting, and that even if his curve was at 50˚, it didn't automatically mean surgery. I'm dazed and confused and very sorry I didn't find this forum sooner--I feel like a prize idiot for not investigating my options as soon as he was first diagnosed. Any input would be gratefully appreciated.
My son was diagnosed with scoliosis in 2003; he was 8 years old. His curve was around 20˚ then. He was watched for three years while his curve worsened. About 2 and a half years ago, he received a TLSO brace. Since then, his curve has progressed considerably and is now at 50˚. At least, that's what our doctor, Daniel Green at Hospital for Special Surgery, said as of last Tuesday when my son had his out of brace xray. Dr. Green recommended that we schedule fusion surgery for next summer vacation. I panicked. The result was that I quickly found this forum (whew!), as well as several others, where I came up with the name of Dr. Michael Vitale at Columbia Presbyterian, whom we saw today. Not only did he NOT recommend surgery, he said he measured my son's curve at only 42˚. He said there was no harm in waiting, and that even if his curve was at 50˚, it didn't automatically mean surgery. I'm dazed and confused and very sorry I didn't find this forum sooner--I feel like a prize idiot for not investigating my options as soon as he was first diagnosed. Any input would be gratefully appreciated.
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