Early Intervention

[Joe O'Brien]

The early detection and treatment of scoliosis is essential to minimize the affects of this condition and provide patients with healthcare options that are less expensive, less painful and less invasive. Most scoliosis spine specialists agree that surgery should be a last resort and efforts should be taken to keep the curve from reaching 45 degrees.

We need a much more aggressive standard however. It is in the best interest of our adolescent patients to replace the generally accepted wait and see approach with an effective non-operative treatment intervention plan. While there are many unknowns and questions about the effect of, and treatment for, scoliosis there certainly is no evidence to suggest that there is a benefit to a curve getting larger. Furthermore, if bony vertebral deformity begins to develop around 30 degrees, and the probability of continued curve progression in adulthood begins to rise at this level as well, then our focus should be on minimizing the magnitude of the curve in the early stages with a goal of keeping it as much below 30 degrees as possible. In order to achieve this goal however we need significantly more multidisciplinary research and coordination to develop and validate a more effective early intervention treatment plan.

[Jill]

I have two sons...ages 10 & 12. My 10 year old was diagnosed with scoliosis when he was 7. He has since been wearing a Charlston Brace at night (although he has just about refused to wear it since the beginning of the summer!) His original curve was at 27degrees. After bracing for 4 months he was at 12 degrees. Significant progress!! He is growing at the rate of 3-4 inches per year. He is over due for a check at the orthopeadic and will surely need another brace when he goes. My 12 year old was checked by our pediatrician (as was my 7 & 10 year old girls) very diligintly, low & behold my 12 year old is showing a very significant curve as well! I have yet to take him to be seen by the ortopeadic. This has all been very stressful on our family. My oldest son is VERY angry that this happened to him! All that I have read on scoliosis is very overwhelming.....I find it quite a relief to have found this website. Anybody out there who would care to give me some hope and advice on how to get through this I would really appreciate it!

[Julie]

Two sons and both with scoliosis. That WOULD be very hard. As for me, I am a 22 year old female who has undergone surgery for fusion of my spine. I was diagnosed during my kindergarten exam. I was braced from age 6-13, then had surgery. That was a very stressful time for me and my family, but it was all to help me. I remember when I was allowed to have my brace off for one hour, every day. But as I got older, I'd leave it off for more like 3 hours. I did not like it, as I'm sure most kids wouldn't. Not only did it feel stiff and uncomfortable, but you had to camouflage it so other kids wouldn't know you were wearing some contraption. But looking back on it, it now seems so long ago. Of course it was stressful for my parents. Taking me to doctors, finding a new one when we re-located. Deciding if surgery was necessary, and then telling me I had to have it. Wow, very scary. But it worked out, and I'm sure it will for you too. If you need to vent any more, you know where to do it because a lot of us are in your boat, or a boat similar.

--Julie

[bd1baird]

I have to argue that early intervention is futile without action....

At this point in my daughter's "treatment" I would rather not know...To have been told about the curves, and to then be told it is not "bad enough yet" is pure torture!

Her pediatrician JUST told us that it is not "bad enough" (10* and 16*) and that since she still has many more years of growing - they would just take x-rays every 6 months. Why NOT act now and brace! They are taking chances on children being deformed, when they could at least TRY to prevent it from worsening. Oh, and for her back pain - motrin and stretching.

I asked for a note from the doc to the school about an extra set of books for the house, because of the scoliosis, pain and stairs. She wrote the note saying she needs extra books at home because of the pain ONLY.

Diana

[Stephen's mom]

I have to argue that early intervention is futile without action....

At this point in my daughter's "treatment" I would rather not know...To have been told about the curves, and to then be told it is not "bad enough yet" is pure torture!

Her pediatrician JUST told us that it is not "bad enough" (10* and 16*) and that since she still has many more years of growing - they would just take x-rays every 6 months. Why NOT act now and brace! They are taking chances on children being deformed, when they could at least TRY to prevent it from worsening. Oh, and for her back pain - motrin and stretching.

I asked for a note from the doc to the school about an extra set of books for the house, because of the scoliosis, pain and stairs. She wrote the note saying she needs extra books at home because of the pain ONLY.

Diana

I have a 10 year old who was just told too. I know how you feel. Why not try the brace now before he grows so much and maybe it would help keep it from getting worse. As for the Dr I would call them back up and tell them you want another note stating such and such... Don't let them be the boss of you remember you are paying them for their services so it is like they work for you. you are welcome to email me anytime tbouzan@comcast and vent.
take care

[LindaRacine]

Hi Diana...

I understand how difficult it is to wait and do nothing. However, it sounds like your daughter is very young. If she were to start wearing a brace now, she'd have to wear it until she's about 15 or 16. If it turns out that her's is one of the MAJORITY of cases that won't ever progress, she would have worn the brace all of those years for nothing. And, being braced for so long might cause problems in and of itself, so why risk that?

Six months isn't all that long. If there's no progression in that time, you can relax a little bit. In the meantime, if you want to be proactive, you can examine your daughter yourself to see if you notice any progression, by looking for signs:

http://www.apta.org/Consumer/ptandyourbody/scoliosis

Good luck!

Regards,
Linda

[ChrissysMom]

Hi Diana...

I understand how difficult it is to wait and do nothing. However, it sounds like your daughter is very young. If she were to start wearing a brace now, she'd have to wear it until she's about 15 or 16. If it turns out that her's is one of the MAJORITY of cases that won't ever progress, she would have worn the brace all of those years for nothing. And, being braced for so long might cause problems in and of itself, so why risk that?

Six months isn't all that long. If there's no progression in that time, you can relax a little bit. In the meantime, if you want to be proactive, you can examine your daughter yourself to see if you notice any progression, by looking for signs:

http://www.apta.org/Consumer/ptandyourbody/scoliosis

Good luck!

Regards,
Linda

I really needed to read this tonight, so thank you. You know how the late night thought process works? Everything just seems so much scarier at night.