I posted this also in the teenager section, but am posting here in case someone else sees this here and not there.....
Our 14 y.o. son was just diagnosed with scoli last month, and we just saw the spine surgeon for the first time two days ago. He has a 34 degree curve, caused by a congenital hemivertebrae. It is the triangular type, where it didn't separate completely while in utero. Thankfully, he has no pain and no neurological effects from this. His right shoulder, however, is about 4-5 inches higher than his left. I about cried when I saw the xray.
Because the spine is developing at the same time as the kidneys and heart, he will have further tests done on these organs as well. What is most interesting is that at my ultrasound with him at 18 weeks gestation, we were told that one kidney was 1/2 the size of the other, and it was not functioning. However, after much prayer from literally hundreds (if not thousands) of faith-believing people, at the next ultrasound, all appeared normal with the kidney. At birth, our pediatrician felt that his kidneys were normal and nothing further needed to be done.
The spine surgeon we saw is in Louisville, KY at the Leatherman Spine Center. He told us that bracing would do no good at all, and surgery is too risky AND the quickest way to paralyze someone. So we are watching and monitoring his spine. Of course, there is no way to make it better. However, if the curve continues to get worse, we will have to fuse it and stop it in its tracks.
This curve has probably shortened him a little already, hasn't it?
I read that congenital hemivertebraes are 1 in 10,000. Really?!? Have you all found that to be the case?
If you or your child have been diagnosed with congenital, have either of you been diagnosed with kidney and/or heart issues?
Thanks so much in advance for your help, encouragement, advice.....I know I will learn a lot from all of you.
blessings...robin
Our 14 y.o. son was just diagnosed with scoli last month, and we just saw the spine surgeon for the first time two days ago. He has a 34 degree curve, caused by a congenital hemivertebrae. It is the triangular type, where it didn't separate completely while in utero. Thankfully, he has no pain and no neurological effects from this. His right shoulder, however, is about 4-5 inches higher than his left. I about cried when I saw the xray.
Because the spine is developing at the same time as the kidneys and heart, he will have further tests done on these organs as well. What is most interesting is that at my ultrasound with him at 18 weeks gestation, we were told that one kidney was 1/2 the size of the other, and it was not functioning. However, after much prayer from literally hundreds (if not thousands) of faith-believing people, at the next ultrasound, all appeared normal with the kidney. At birth, our pediatrician felt that his kidneys were normal and nothing further needed to be done.
The spine surgeon we saw is in Louisville, KY at the Leatherman Spine Center. He told us that bracing would do no good at all, and surgery is too risky AND the quickest way to paralyze someone. So we are watching and monitoring his spine. Of course, there is no way to make it better. However, if the curve continues to get worse, we will have to fuse it and stop it in its tracks.
This curve has probably shortened him a little already, hasn't it?
I read that congenital hemivertebraes are 1 in 10,000. Really?!? Have you all found that to be the case?
If you or your child have been diagnosed with congenital, have either of you been diagnosed with kidney and/or heart issues?
Thanks so much in advance for your help, encouragement, advice.....I know I will learn a lot from all of you.
blessings...robin
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