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Anyone with experience of growing rods for a 3 year old?

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  • Anyone with experience of growing rods for a 3 year old?

    My 2.5 year old is heading for surgery in the next year.
    Our doctor is talking about growing rods.
    The only contacts I have so far have kids 6+ who have had this surgery.
    I would love to contact anyone who has a toddler with this experience.
    Thanks
    Louise

  • #2
    Hi Louise,

    I'm sorry to hear your child was diagnosed with scoliosis at such a young age. My son was as well. As I'm sure you know, scoliosis in such a young child is quite rare and sometimes indicates an underlying condition. I assume an MRI was done.

    I would recommend, if you haven't done so already, getting a second opinion. Shriners Hospitals are great places for this because, unlike a lot of orthos, they see many infants and toddlers, not just the typical scoli patients (i.e., adolescents). I'm not saying that your doctor is steering you wrong or that your child won't ultimately need surgery, but it sounds like you have some time before they plan to do this and another opinion never hurts.

    If you don't mind my asking, what methods have been tried so far to control the curve? Have you tried casting? While it is often used on infants, it has worked well on many children your child's age as well. The place to get more info, if you are interested, is www.infantilescoliosis.org. At the very least, you might even find someone there in a similar situation.

    Best of luck and please feel free to e-mail me if you like as well.
    Last edited by mariaf; 07-20-2011, 11:43 AM.
    mariaf305@yahoo.com
    Mom to David, age 17, braced June 2000 to March 2004
    Vertebral Body Stapling 3/10/04 for 40 degree curve (currently mid 20's)

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScoliosisTethering/

    http://pediatricspinefoundation.org/

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    • #3
      Originally posted by Louise B View Post
      My 2.5 year old is heading for surgery in the next year.
      Our doctor is talking about growing rods.
      The only contacts I have so far have kids 6+ who have had this surgery.
      I would love to contact anyone who has a toddler with this experience.
      Thanks
      Louise
      Hi, my little girl had her rods placed last spring at age 3. She's had two extensions since, the last one just this last May. I know it's not an easy thing to think about, feel free to ask any questions.

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      • #4
        You might want to check out this blog. It's made up of a whole group of parents who have kids that are in casts and have had/are having surgery for growing rods. http://luckycastclub.blogspot.com/

        And Shriners is an excellent place for kids. I agree with mariaf and would definitely recommend it!

        I hope everything goes well, no matter what happens in the future.
        Katie

        My blog: http://scoliosis-braceyourself.blogspot.com/
        My video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NG9hMohsU0

        5 Boston back braces
        Spinal fusion- Nov. 17, 2009, senior year of high school
        52 and 57 degrees pre-surgery, 22 and 20 degrees post-surgery
        Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Shriners Children's Hospital, Chicago
        Back into volleyball and music as a senior in college!

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