My daughter is 19. She wore the Milwaukee brace when she was growing and ended up with thoracic curve of 32 and lumbar of 26. Now she is 19. We just found out that her curves have worsened! Thoracic is 38 and her lumbar is 29. Is there anyone else out there that has had their curves worsen after they have stopped growing? We thought we were "home free" and now we may be looking at surgery.
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Any other young adults with thoracic curves 35+?
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Hi
Years ago I was told my curves would stop once I stopped growing, but today we know that is not the case. Some adults are lucky and it stays the same. I would suggest being monitored like I was. I went to an orthopedic surgeon once a year for 6 years and had x rays. Each year my curves became worse and in all likelihood would continue to progress my entire life. I didn't want to have a 90 degree curve when I was 60 years old, so I had the surgery.Jenn
37 y/o female
60 degree lumbar
45 degree thoracic
1st time anterior/posterior surgery May 8th and 10th 2006
T 5 to S 1
NYC
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Hi Red...
(I got your PM.)
According to the research I've read, MOST curves under 40 degrees at the time of skeletal maturity will not increase. Unfortunately, not everyone fits that mold. If your daughter were mine, I would not rush toward surgery, at least until you've documented more progression. Her curves may become stable. I'm not a medical professional, but I've certainly known a lot of people with scoliosis. Waiting 5-10 years, while watching the curves, probably won't make any difference in recovery, and you may find that she's able to avoid surgery altogether.
Regards,
LindaNever argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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Thank you. It is nice to hear an opinion from another point of view. Of course, the surgeon is leaning towards corrective surgery but I guess waiting a few years really may not make a difference (except she may not worsen)! Whether the curves are 40 now or 50 later, they can both be corrected about the same. Also, a 19 year old and a 25 year old would probably recover about the same. I appreciate your insight. Thank you.
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I agree with Linda and it is exactly what I did. I waited and measured until it was obvious that my curves just weren't going to stop. I just had it last month and am 33. I don't have any children yet.Jenn
37 y/o female
60 degree lumbar
45 degree thoracic
1st time anterior/posterior surgery May 8th and 10th 2006
T 5 to S 1
NYC
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Hi
I was told my curves wouldn't progress anymore when I was 16 and my curve measured 18 degrees. When I was 20 I was having horrible back pain so I went to the doctor and found that my spine had moved to 33 degrees. Two years (last year) after that my spine was 41 degrees. I just had an xray taken on Monday and it looks like my curve has grown. It's probably close to 50 degrees now. I'll find out what the measurement of my current curve is on Wednesday. If it has worsened, I'll be looking at surgery for next summer. I'm sorry your daughter's curve has moved. It's not pleasant information to find out.
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Where are you located?Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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Hi...
The only doctor that I know relatively well in your area is Alvin Crawford in Cincinnati. He has a fabulous reputation. I hear good things about Isador Lieberman in Cleveland as well. You can view a list of specialists in the area here:
http://www.srs.org/directory/directory.asp?mode=search
Regards,
LindaNever argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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redbuckeye- I go to Dr. James Lehner.... He's in south-west ohio.... and one of the best in this whole area. He's on that list someone posted!!!Scoliosis for 8 years, Milwaukee, Providence & Boston braces. 35T 42L Dx'd with Chiari Malformation 8/06, decompression surgery + duraplasty 11/24/06.
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I too agree with linda. Unless your daughter is in pain waiting for a good amount of progression would not hurt. Scoliosis is rarely an emergency. Waiting for her to finish college or have more progression would not hurt. I had my surgery at 17 just before my second semester of senior year. I am happy I had it when I did because I was in A LOT of pain, but waiting is not a bad idea. It is a hard recovery no matter when you have it.
Mandy
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Originally posted by drummergrl View Postredbuckeye- I go to Dr. James Lehner.... He's in south-west ohio.... and one of the best in this whole area. He's on that list someone posted!!!
Anita
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