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  • Suggestions for Questions at Follow-up

    We go back to my daughter's orthopedic surgeon this Friday. We have waited four months for this visit. In October at 12.5 years (pre-menstral), her curves were 20*/20*, Risser Sign 0. We think she has gone about 1.25 inches over the past 4 months. I can't wait to see the next set of x-rays.

    We are not sure if she will need a brace yet. I know the doctor is conservative and said that will not happen until the curve is a minimum of 25*. Since I joined this forum, I have learned so much and received a lot of advice from you caring folks. Many people suggest not waiting longer to get a brace if the curve has increased. Depending on what the x-ray shows, I will advocate for a brace.

    Beside the obvious questions about the change in curve, Risser Sign, and height, are there other specific questions I should be asking at this visit? For instance, I read on the forum today about getting a copy of the x-ray on a CD. That was a great suggestion. Are there other things I should be inquiring about on Friday?

    Thank you for any suggestions!
    Last edited by 2kids; 03-02-2008, 07:35 PM.
    Daughter 17.5 (diagnosed @ 12 yrs) in Sept 2007 AIS
    Oct 2007: T-20, L-20 [160 cm]
    Mar 2008: T-24, L-24 [163 cm], started Cheneau brace
    May 2008: T-16, L-7 (in-brace) [164.2 cm]
    Oct 2008: T-23, L-15 (out-of-brace) [167 cm]
    Feb 2009: T-20, L-18 (in-brace) 2nd brace
    Jun 2009: T-20, L-16 (in-brace) [172.2 cm]
    Dec 2009: T-33, L-16 (out-of-brace) [173.8 cm]
    Apr 2010: T-25, L-12 (in-brace) [175.3 cm] 3rd brace
    Mar 2011: T31, L20 (out) [176.2]
    Jul 2012: T31, L20 (out) [177.2]

  • #2
    Hi 2kids,

    Well here's my story - short version.

    1. Elysia diagnosed Nov 06 - Scoliosis - Thoracic 20 degrees. Advised to come back and see Orthopaedic surgeon in Feb 07.

    2. Feb 07 - Thoracic now 38 degrees - Lumbar 23 degrees. What the??? But first x-ray was taken laying down instead of standing so that would have had made some difference.

    3. Sent to Scolisois Orthopaedic Surgeon - he tells us to late for Brace - she's border line Surgery - Only Risser 0 - no sign of Period.

    4. Against his advice we got Brace May 07 to try and delay surgery to allow for more growth - took aaaggggeeess to get.

    5. November 07 - severe rotation occuring with large hump - saw 2nd specialist who advised prognosis very poor - surgery sooner rather than later adivsed.

    6. Surgery Feb 08 - Great correction - lumbar almost straight - don't know figures until 31st March appointment.

    So...... telling you all this because if they had braced her back in Nov 06 - maybe could have avoided surgery. This is just our experience - everyone is different. Bracing is by no means easy - it's a long journey... they wear it until they have finished their growth spurts.

    My surgeon didn't really support bracing - he feels either your going to progress or your not. They still don't know why some kids advance in their curves and why some stabilize. We just wanted the brace to try and hold it steady until she got some more growth in that part of her spine.
    For Elysia - the brace didn't go down too well, at first it was all good, but as months rolled on she became less and less compliant, eventually refusing to wear it at school.

    Best of luck - if you want to know anymore details you can PM or email me.

    cheers
    Del
    Elysia 16 in Feb 2010
    Sydney - Australia
    Feb 2008 Fused T5-L1 and 5 ribs removed.
    Dec 2009 - Crankshafting
    Dec 10 - Revision surgery...3 vertebrae taken down, hooks removed, at T11-L1 - screws inserted, fusion extended down to
    L3 using Pedicle screws, some rib removed to try to derotate. Praying for things to settle.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by 2kids
      We go back to my daughter's orthopedic surgeon this Friday. We have waited four months for this visit. In October at 12.5 years (pre-menstral), her curves were 20*/20*, Risser Sign 0. We think she has gone about 1.25 inches over the past 4 months. I can't wait to see the next set of x-rays.

      We are not sure if she will need a brace yet. I know the doctor is conservative and said that will not happen until the curve is a minimum of 25*. Since I joined this forum, I have learned so much and received a lot of advice from you caring folks. Many people suggest not waiting longer to get a brace if the curve has increased. Depending on what the x-ray shows, I will advocate for a brace.

      Beside the obvious questions about the change in curve, Risser Sign, and height, are there other specific questions I should be asking at this visit? For instance, I read on the forum today about getting a copy of the x-ray on a CD. That was a great suggestion. Are there other things I should be inquiring about on Friday?

      Thank you for any suggestions!
      A regular x-ray film in standing is a great tool when you can look at it on a clear window and beguin to see the apices of the curves and beguing to recognize that with a small movement the oppossite way you can start small correction.

      Comment

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