Cool blue, only a few comments since adolescent scoliosis is not within my person experience. Rely on research findings that have been replicated in your guidance. Sometimes we get caught up in anecdotal information/personal experiences for information. Specifically, I am referring to doctors that may make claims that are not backed by good science.
You probably already have a good connection at Schriners, but if you need any information about their policies, I have a good friend that is in administration there. Send me a personal message if you need assistance there. I agree with the comment about going with Shriners if that is possible and if it is your choice for medical care in the US as others have mentioned the phenomenal cost of surgery. You would need to add on the transportation cost as well as lodging/food. In addition, you might want to stay near the hospital for some time after surgery in an apartment before undertaking the international flight back to India.
Your daughter is fortunate to have such a caring and involved parent. There appear to be some very good books for teens on scoliosis which may help to decrease her anxiety about what is happening to her body and help her to see that scoliosis happens to lots of other kids.
Best of luck in your quest to support your daughter. Susan
One last comment: you may find that over time going to different doctors and hence different X-ray machines and perhaps ability to read curves that there is a difference in interpretation of scoliosis angles. Always keep in mind that small changes in reports or small variability in readings can be due to that difference between machines. The best way to monitor change is to use the same machine over time.
Last edited by susancook; 12-14-2013 at 12:52 AM.
Adult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis
2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
2018: Removal L4,5 screw
2021: Removal T1 screw & rod