Nj / Ny

[munchie122]

My 9 yo has very recently been diagnosed with a 29 degree curve. I went to a ped. ortho Dr. from NYC Columbia Presbyterian and was told that she would need to be braced for 18-20 hours per day for approx five years. I have a second opinoin scheduled for tomorrow to reassure myself.

Anyone seeing a doctor in the NYC/NJ area that they can recommend?

[mariaf]

I would highly recommend a trip to Philadelphia to see one of the specialists at Shriners Hospital. They treat many younger children like your daughther - and the team there, led by Dr. Betz, is AMAZING. We have good insurance but choose to travel from NYC to Philadelphia for the best care for our son. I also know other families who, after seeing several doctors from all over, including NYC, chose Shriners. Both the quality of care and the family-centered environment are hard to match elsewhere.

FYI, at Shriners they also offer vertebral stapling - in case you'd be interested in this option as an alternative to the bracing. In addition to myself, there are some other parents on this forum whose children have had this surgery who I am sure would gladly share their experiences with you.

Please feel free to e-mail me at mariaf305@yahoo.com.

Good luck.

[amandap]

We are from Texas but chose Shriners in Philadelphia for my daughters care. Like Maria said they are AMAZING ~ they put both the parents as well as the childs mind at ease.

There are plenty of Dr's in Texas that we were fond of and continue to see but nothing compared to the care given at Shriners.

Good Luck and Keep us posted.

Amanda

[bjmk18]

Dr. Antonacci - surgeon in NJ/NYC

This is a sharing from our daughter who underwent surgery on Oct. 29th. She is doing very well with her recovery. The surgery was a success and we were all very pleased with Dr. Antonacci and his team.

He devoted himself in a giving, compassionate, and professional manner which made her experience a success.

As you may know I had my second opinion appointment
Thursday in Lawrenceville, NJ at the Institute for
Spine & Scoliosis.
It went very well. The doctor, Dr. M. Darryl
Antonacci, was very knowledgable and I felt extremely
comfortable with him.
The hospital that he does surgery from is called Lenox
Hill Hospital, in NY. He actually does spinal surgery
on children AND adults, his procedures on children are
done at Shriner Hospital in Philadelphia.

We found him through the NSF Newsletter as a highly recommended surgeon from Texas.

If you would like more information, we would be happy to provide his website.

bjmk18