spinecor

[MJB]

MJB,

First of all Congratulations on the new baby, they are such blessings.

I am so sorry to read that your daughter's curve has progressed, most, if not all of us here understand how you are feeling. At least you are now aware of it and can look for other possible ways to deal with it. Since the Spinecor has not worked in your case, there may be other braces or VBS that very well may work.

The thought of someone here running to "call" Dr. Rivard seems very far fetched. I would think it more believable that someone actually monitors these boards and reports back to him. Of course that is just MY opinion and it is based purely on speculation of things I have noticed over the 4-5 years I have been reading these boards. I could be wrong.

As for marks on the skin caused by the brace, my daughter had some very dark brown marks on her thighs for a long time. At least a year. I would plead with her not to put the thigh bands so tightly around her thighs. About six months ago she finally listened to me and the marks have faded almost completely. I was really worried that she would have permanent damage or scarring in that area. Thankfully that is not the case.

Actually that crossed my mind also, that maybe he has someone monitor the board, which I also don't agree with because we should have the right to express our feelings when they might be negative without being confronted for it.

Thank you for the response! and for congratulating me! I am so thrilled!

See my daughter doesn't have any marks where her thigh bands are, which seems to be where everyone has them... we have tried putting moleskin on her plastic part of the brace because that is what is causing these marks, they are just under her hip bones I believe... hmmmm well I guess over time once she is out of the brace it will probably fade, maybe with some special cream or something.

[mariaf]

The thought of someone here running to "call" Dr. Rivard seems very far fetched. I would think it more believable that someone actually monitors these boards and reports back to him. Of course that is just MY opinion and it is based purely on speculation of things I have noticed over the 4-5 years I have been reading these boards. I could be wrong.

Good point, Emarismom. That makes sense.

As Bella's Mom said, either way it sucks.

Whoever the snitch is should be ashamed of themselves - whether it is a member here or a spy of Dr. Rivard - or maybe it's the good doctor himself who reads the posts - who knows.

But I'm having a hard time understanding right now how he can consider himself a professional - and I honestly don't give a rats a** if anyone tells him I said that

First, he admonished the child as if it was HER fault the brace didn't work when he questioned how much she was wearing it. Obviously, none of us where in the room, but since mom was so upset by what he said and how he said it, I'm guessing he made both mom and the child feel as if he was inferring she wasn't being compliant.

And now this. Does he not realize how much stress a parent is under when they hear their child's curve has progressed?? How can he, her doctor, ADD to that stress by calling her out on her posts???

I'm disgusted by the whole thing.

Big hugs to you, MJB!!

[MJB]

Thank you Maria!

I was just saying in a private message to someone that I am so glad that I was the one that picked up the voicemail and not DH... I can't imagine what it would've made me look like for my childs doctor to leave a voicemail like that, DH would've assumed that I am causing shit online or causing drama, when I don't believe I have... This could've caused problems... I hope to God that he does not mention this at our next appointment infront of DH. I personally don't feel that it's his business (not in a rude way) what I post on a message board and I feel like it's a little unprofessional to call someone out on that.

Dont get me wrong, I do like Dr. Rivard, he does respond immediately when I e-mail him a concern but this just seemed unreal!

Funny thing is that I never pick up the voicemail on our home phone, DH does but because I am waiting to hear from the Dr. we are being referred to at Sick Kids, I have been checking the voicemail daily.

[MNT]

Dear MJB (and fellow Canadian),
Congratulations on your pregnancy-obviously it is quite a stressful time right now for you and your family. You strike me as a very strong mom and I believe that you will be able to focus on positives in this situation.
As for Dr Rivard-he should be more worried about all of us parents getting together and filing a legal action-in regards to the readings of in-brace corrections that (in majority of cases) were an absolute bogus.
If time is a factor for seeing a specialist in Toronto and if either your spouse or you have any other insurance on top of the provincial health insurance you might consider going to the States and obtaining a hard brace there.
Good luck with everything!

[mariaf]

If time is a factor for seeing a specialist in Toronto and if either your spouse or you have any other insurance on top of the provincial health insurance you might consider going to the States and obtaining a hard brace there.

That's a great suggestion, MNT.

In fact, I know several children from Canada who came to the states and were seen at a Shriners Hospital - and in the case of Shriners, insurance coverage would not even be an issue as they do not charge for their services

MJB - if you are interested in this option, it's not as complicated as you might think. The contact information for the Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia is in my signature. Like I said, I know of several families from Canada whose kids are being treated there - in fact one of them has an appointment next week and we are even getting together while she's in town!

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

[michael1960]

I started a new SpineCor thread regarding a recent bad experience I had with a NYC chiropractor. After posting it I thought maybe I should have posted it here in this ongoing SpineCor thread. Please advice me on where it should be posted.

SpineCor - Bad Experience in NYC - Replacing Straps

http://scoliosis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=10201

I posted my experience hoping that others could learn and benefit from it plus I am looking for any experience/suggestions regarding the replacement of the SpineCor straps.

Thank You
Michael

[mariaf]

Michael,

I replied to you on the other thread. This thread is so long, it's probably best you started a separate one or your post might get lost or buried here

[MJB]

Why did something else have to happen.... I would really really like things to be ok with the Spinecor Brace and with Dr. Rivard... I do like him, I do think that he is a caring man and has my daughters best interests in mind but I feel like the biggest mistake has been made this week and I am just at a loss for words...

I wasn't going to post this because I am honestly not trying to make anyone look bad, I don't want to make him look bad and I don't want him to read this on here but I need to vent... I am upset and DH is not happy...

A mom on this site went to visit him this week and somehow my name came up and he gave her my phone number and asked her to call me... She didn't call me, she e-mailed me instead. I am not at all upset with her, she did nothing wrong but I am just very upset because I feel strongly about confidentiality... There is confidentiality in every job and you would think that Doctor/Patient confidentiality would be the highest...

This really bothers me... so much.. I understand he is concerned, I really do but giving out someone my phone number is not the answer.... why did this have to happen? I feel like it's almost so unbelievable that some of you might not even believe what I am saying.... I am in complete, total shock!

After almost 10 minutes of debating whether or not to hit "submit reply" I have decided to go ahead and post it... I should be able to post on a message board when I feel like it, without having to worry about who is going to read it...

I have been so stressed this week, I was in the hospital for 2 days from bleeding during my pregnancy, I don't need added stress right now, I just want all of this to go away... I don't know if I should be leaving this board or what, I don't feel like I should have to but all that has happened since my first post about my daughters latest appointment on March 1st is pure drama. I don't live in a life with drama.

[Katie12YROLD]

My daughter was the same before

We went to see Dr. Rivard yesterday and every time we go Halle is getting worse... Last time she had gone up to 14 degrees (in brace) from 9 and now this time she is up to 23 degrees (in brace). I don't know what to do anymore... she wears her brace 24 hours a day, only takes it off to shower, she doesn't take breaks because her back hurts during breaks. She is 10 years old now and starting puberty, so Dr. Rivard said that this time is critical... I am so worried because it seems like with her onset of puberty she is getting so much worse and this is IN her brace... what is she OUT of her brace? How is she going to hold up when she is full blown going through puberty, gets her period and everything?

My daughter was same as your case, also was 10 yr old , from 32 to 76 now in 3 yrs.now she is 12, I hope you do yoga exercise as your routine job, it may get help. and i don't think spincore will help, my daughter used 2 year, and stoped because find out not stop the curve and the curve was 58, but it made it worse, I don't know if your case or maybe your dr is a good one. Good luck to you.

[MJB]

My daughter was same as your case, also was 10 yr old , from 32 to 76 now in 3 yrs.now she is 12, I hope you do yoga exercise as your routine job, it may get help. and i don't think spincore will help, my daughter used 2 year, and stoped because find out not stop the curve and the curve was 58, but it made it worse, I don't know if your case or maybe your dr is a good one. Good luck to you.

My doctor will not allow my daughter to do any physio-therapy or exercises to try and help strengthen her spine... I was thinking of putting her in some yoga though, I want to take prenatal yoga, maybe they would let her join the class too.

[MJB]

My daughter was same as your case, also was 10 yr old , from 32 to 76 now in 3 yrs.now she is 12, I hope you do yoga exercise as your routine job, it may get help. and i don't think spincore will help, my daughter used 2 year, and stoped because find out not stop the curve and the curve was 58, but it made it worse, I don't know if your case or maybe your dr is a good one. Good luck to you.

So when your daughter was in the Spinecor brace, what was her starting curve and how much did it progress? was the curve 58 out of brace or in brace?

[Pooka1]

I wasn't going to post this because I am honestly not trying to make anyone look bad, I don't want to make him look bad and I don't want him to read this on here but I need to vent... I am upset and DH is not happy...

It is obvious you are not trying to make anyone look bad and that you are relating your experience honestly. Your point of view is valid. Parents' points of view are always by definition valid. Good doctors realize this and acknowledge it and try to work with it. Your situation is not unique and I think that contributed to the reaction. In my opinion you are being handled like you are out of line in some way when in fact you are correct down the line. This is why I started the "Manning up" thread.

A mom on this site went to visit him this week and somehow my name came up and he gave her my phone number and asked her to call me... She didn't call me, she e-mailed me instead. I am not at all upset with her, she did nothing wrong but I am just very upset because I feel strongly about confidentiality... There is confidentiality in every job and you would think that Doctor/Patient confidentiality would be the highest...

This was completely inappropriate. Can I ask what this other parent could possibly have said to you that would advance this matter? I'm just trying to imagine another parent calling me and wondering what the heck they could possibly tell me.

This really bothers me... so much.. I understand he is concerned, I really do but giving out someone my phone number is not the answer.... why did this have to happen? I feel like it's almost so unbelievable that some of you might not even believe what I am saying.... I am in complete, total shock!

I believe what you are saying because a pattern is developing in the testimonials.

After almost 10 minutes of debating whether or not to hit "submit reply" I have decided to go ahead and post it... I should be able to post on a message board when I feel like it, without having to worry about who is going to read it...

I'm glad you did. You are advocating for your child.

I have been so stressed this week, I was in the hospital for 2 days from bleeding during my pregnancy, I don't need added stress right now, I just want all of this to go away... I don't know if I should be leaving this board or what, I don't feel like I should have to but all that has happened since my first post about my daughters latest appointment on March 1st is pure drama. I don't live in a life with drama.

This is what adds another dimension let's say to Rivard's actions. He seems a bit reckless.

Carry on. You are contributing a lot to the forum.

Best regards,
sharon

[Pooka1]

My doctor will not allow my daughter to do any physio-therapy or exercises to try and help strengthen her spine... I was thinking of putting her in some yoga though, I want to take prenatal yoga, maybe they would let her join the class too.

Ask if there is any basis (evidence) whatsoever to restrict PT.

I suggest there is none and telling you not to do PT if when there is no evidence not to do it is wrong FULL STOP.

[mariaf]

I find Dr. Rivard's actions unbelievably reckless, irresponsible and UNPROFESSIONAL.

MJB - YOU are not creating this drama - nor should you leave this board. I am so glad to hear you say that you should be able to post on a public forum if you feel like it and not worry that "Dr. Unprofessional" is looking over your shoulder.

I truly believe he should be reported to the appropriate licensing board.

Did he want this mom to call you to try to persuade you to keep seeing him? or that his brace was effective?? Like Sharon, I can't fathom what this mom was supposed to do or say that was going to help your situation - except that IMHO improving your daughter's situation is NOT Dr. Rivard's main goal here. That fact has become painfully obvious.

I can tell you that on occasion parents of patients who see Dr. Betz or Janet in Philly are given my contact information if they ask to speak to another VBS parent, for example. BUT this is only because Janet and I had this discussion a long time ago and she ASKED MY PERMISSION first. She said she would NEVER give out a patient's contact information unless she was expressly told it was OK to do so.

THAT is how medical professionals are supposed to conduct themselves.

[Pooka1]

I find Dr. Rivard's actions unbelievably reckless, irresponsible and UNPROFESSIONAL.

MJB - YOU are not creating this drama - nor should you leave this board. I am so glad to hear you say that you should be able to post on a public forum if you feel like it and not worry that "Dr. Unprofessional" is looking over your shoulder.

I truly believe he should be reported to the appropriate licensing board.

Did he want this mom to call you to try to persuade you to keep seeing him? or that his brace was effective?? Like Sharon, I can't fathom what this mom was supposed to do or say that was going to help your situation - except that IMHO improving your daughter's situation is NOT Dr. Rivard's main goal here. That fact has become painfully obvious.

I can tell you that on occasion parents of patients who see Dr. Betz or Janet in Philly are given my contact information if they ask to speak to another VBS parent, for example. BUT this is only because Janet and I had this discussion a long time ago and she ASKED MY PERMISSION first. She said she would NEVER give out a patient's contact information unless she was expressly told it was OK to do so.

THAT is how medical professionals are supposed to conduct themselves.

Indeed. I, also, was asked my permission if the surgeon could give out certain medical/personal information to another mother requesting to talk to other parents who went through the surgery. I gave my permission and have spoken with others. But they asked my permission FIRST. It would have been reportable had they not asked my permission first.

Rivard appears to be operating outside the normal guidelines in perhaps a Hail Mary attempt to support Spinecor. Based on the totality of posts on this topic but especially the multiple apparently erroneous in-brace readings, this is not someone whose research papers I would waste time reading. This seems to be a conclusion many surgeons in the orthopedic commmunity apparently reached a while ago. There is a reason for everything.