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  • Brand New-Lots of questions

    I grew up with scoliosis, and wore a brace 23/7 for a few years...(well that isn't QUITE true, because since I was a teen aged girl I tried everything I could to get away with not wearing it near friends).

    My two daughters age 16 and 9 have both been diagnosed with it, but I am very concerned. This came on very suddenly for my 9 year old, and her x-ray was read at 52* and 42*. I don't recall what mine were, and I am actually trying to get my medical records just to verify that. Anyway, from everything I have read it sounds like Emily will more than likely end up needing surgery. That is a very scary thought...of course. So, in your opinions on here...does that sound about right?

    Our pediatrician seems very uneducated, and I am very upset with him. So, we are going to see a specialist at the end of June.

    However, my 16 year old daughter was just x-rayed on Saturday, and I got her results back and all they could tell me was that "she has a 45* curve, then went on to say that she has nothing to worry about and isn't nearly as bad as her sister". 45* still sounds pretty bad to me. I guess the good thing would be that she is probably almost done growing, but that being the case...is there anything that they will do for her?

    I look forward to talking to everyone!

    Thanks!
    Nikki

  • #2
    Hi Nikki...

    Those are very significant curves for a 9 year old. I think most specialists will tell you that she'll almost certainly require surgery. A 45 degree curve in a 16 year old (female) is borderline. It seems that about half the time, her curve will increase to the point where she'll need surgery.

    I'm glad you have an appointment for both girls to see a specialist. The one thing I can tell you is that you may find the actual curve measurements might be considerably different from what you've been told. It takes a lot of experience to mark x-rays, and I've routinely see specialists mark them different than radiologists.

    Good luck.

    Regards,
    Linda
    Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
    Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

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    • #3
      Thanks Linda.

      This is such a scary thought. Maybe the x-rays aren't as bad as they said then?! Well, I doubt that to be true because I saw them, and could see that they were not "pretty".

      It is going to be a LONG month waiting to see the specialist.

      I wonder, in a month's time, could my 9 year old's curve progress in that amount of time?

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      • #4
        Hi....

        Yes, I've heard of cases where significant progression happened in very short periods of time. I hope that doesn't happen with your daughter.

        Regards,
        Linda
        Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
        Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by sunnyday04_kids View Post
          Our pediatrician seems very uneducated, and I am very upset with him. So, we are going to see a specialist at the end of June.

          Thanks!
          Nikki
          Hi Nikki,

          Try not to beat up your pediatrician. They are not trained in Scoliosis. When our family doctor diagnosed my then 12 y.o. daughter, he told us it was a pretty mild curve and that we'd most likely just monitor it with x-rays. Turns out her "mild" curve was actually 36*!

          You are doing the right thing by going to a specialist. I'd suggest making sure the doctor is a pediatric Scoli specialist. Don't hesitate to get at least a second opinion.

          If possible, take someone with you to the appointment to take notes. Also, take a list of questions with you. Having to wait a month will probably be stressful, but on the bright side, it'll give you time to do research and compile your list of questions.

          Hang in there.

          Mary Lou
          Mom to Jamie age 21-diagnosed at age 12-spinal fusion 12/7/2004-fused from T3-L2; and Tracy age 19, mild Scoliosis-diagnosed at age 18.

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