Hi there,
sorry to hear of the rib problems from the brace. These young kids in braces are so pliable that I think it is really easy to have them inadvertently in a brace that is way too tight. Soon before Leah's VBS surgery she developed a hard, painful lump on her lower rib, right where the brace was pressing. It was x-rayed but didn't show up as anything, and the word biopsy was briefly mentioned. Turned out to be some sort of bone irritation from the brace, which quickly disappeared after being out of the brace for about two weeks. Dr Luhmann's nurse told me they've had this happen occasionally with kids in braces.
Good luck with getting your date, and please do keep us updated.
Gayle, age 50
Oct 2010 fusion T8-sacrum w/ pelvic fixation
Feb 2012 lumbar revision for broken rods @ L2-3-4
Sept 2015 major lumbar A/P revision for broken rods @ L5-S1
mom of Leah, 15 y/o, Diagnosed '08 with 26* T JIS (age 6)
2010 VBS Dr Luhmann Shriners St Louis
2017 curves stable/skeletely mature
also mom of Torrey, 12 y/o son, 16* T, stable