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Being sent to see the head of spinal surgery at NYU. Does this mean Surgery?????

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  • Being sent to see the head of spinal surgery at NYU. Does this mean Surgery?????

    Hi, my thirteen year old son was diagnosed with scoliosis last January. When he was originally x-rayed we were told he measured 18 and 20 degrees. About a month ago he measured 30 and 27 degrees. Not feeling pleased with the care we got from this doctor, we searched and searched and searched and finally found a doctor who came highly recommended. We saw him about three weeks ago and he said his curves were greater than what the original doc said. He said our son was close to 40 degrees if not more. He also found an additional curve at the top of his spine making it three curves instead of two. UGH!!!
    They scheduled a battery of MRI's to make sure nothing was growing on his spine making it curve so quickly and additional x-rays.
    Praise God, everything came out fine but we were told to schedule an appointment with the head of Spinal surgery up at NYU.
    The doctors assistant would not give any reason as to why we needed to see him other than to say these two doctors know each other and confer with each other about their patients. We have an appointment on November 24. Feels like an eternity from now.
    I spoke to a mom of a mutual friend who's son had spinal surgery 2 years ago at NYU and she raved about the care that her son received. Her son was 17 when he had his surgery and measured 30 degrees.
    When she asked what my sons measurements were she told me he would most likely require surgery before it got any worse and that a brace would not be feasible for him.
    Being that his numbers keep increasing would they do surgery soon or continue to wait it out until he finishes going through puberty???
    Any advise would be greatly appreciated.



    Blessings.

    Rosemarie

  • #2
    Hi Rosemary...

    There's no way to know until you get the facts. It sounds like the doctor you found doesn't specialize in spinal deformities, but has referred you to someone who does. I've found that individuals other than scoliosis specialists are notoriously bad at measuring xray. Both bracing and surgery protocols are based on elements that you as yet don't have (mostly skeletal maturity).

    Good luck at your appointment on the 24th.

    Regards,
    Linda
    Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    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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    • #3
      Originally posted by LindaRacine View Post
      Hi Rosemary...

      There's no way to know until you get the facts. It sounds like the doctor you found doesn't specialize in spinal deformities, but has referred you to someone who does. I've found that individuals other than scoliosis specialists are notoriously bad at measuring xray. Both bracing and surgery protocols are based on elements that you as yet don't have (mostly skeletal maturity).

      Good luck at your appointment on the 24th.

      Regards,
      Linda
      Apparently the first doctor doesn't. The second doctor who ordered the MRI is a scoliosis specialist. He works with the doctor who is the head of spinal surgery up at NYU. He told us to see him as he already discussed my sons case with him. He told us that the first doctor did not measure him correctly from what he was able to see when he read the x-rays.

      Rosemarie

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      • #4
        Hi Rosemary

        Dr Nuzzo is a genius. Quite the guy I must say.... Read all of his website.

        He was one of the Docs on my case years ago...I left NJ 30 years ago.

        Like Linda says, just wait until these guys think about things. You are in good hands.

        Keep reading and posting.

        Ed
        49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
        Pre surgery curves T70,L70
        ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
        Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

        Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

        My x-rays
        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

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        • #5
          Yes, he is the doctor we are working with now and we are pleased. Very knowledgeable i must say.
          The doctor we are seeing is Dr. Errico at NYU on the 24th.

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          • #6
            I go to Dr. Errico and love him! My surgery is scheduled for Jan 4 so I will keep you posted on his methods. But, from what I see so far, he made me very confident in his care. I am a little older than your son (21 yrs old) and he gave me the option to wait so I am sure he will do the same for you. He says the surgery is inevitable and it all depends on whats a good time for us.
            http://mixasu.blogspot.com/

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            • #7
              Originally posted by mixasu View Post
              I go to Dr. Errico and love him! My surgery is scheduled for Jan 4 so I will keep you posted on his methods. But, from what I see so far, he made me very confident in his care. I am a little older than your son (21 yrs old) and he gave me the option to wait so I am sure he will do the same for you. He says the surgery is inevitable and it all depends on whats a good time for us.
              Hi there and thanks for responding to my post. We see him next week on the 24th. We have heard wonderful things about him and the hospital.

              I spoke with a mom from my area who used one of the other doctors that work with him. Her son had surgery almost two years ago and raved about the hospital. Her son was 17 when he had it done.

              Nick is going to be 14 the day after Christmas. She kind of prepared me for the fact that he is going to need surgery. Since it has progressed quickly I am not sure if he would be a good candidate for a brace from what I was told. My feeling is and this is just my feeling, why postpone the inevitable. If it could possibly get worse, why wait.

              timing for this sucks. Hate the thought of him missing school during the year or not being able to enjoy the summer.

              Roe

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              • #8
                Rosemary,

                I agree with everyone else. You are in good hands. Keep asking questions. You need to understand all the complexities involved. Having a 14yr old son with congenital scoliosis, I would ask for lots of details re: the pros and cons of surgery before skeletal maturity. Personally, I would wait to have surgery until growth is completed. Risks of complications of an immature spine are real. But, if there are underlying conditions (such as rapid progression of the curves, severe imbalance of the body, partial spontaneous fusion of the spine, etc.) then surgery sooner than later may be the right option (if surgery is even recommended). I know you will do what is best for your son.
                Carmell
                mom to Kara, idiopathic scoliosis, Blake 19, GERD and Braydon 14, VACTERL, GERD, DGE, VEPTR #137, thoracic insufficiency, rib anomalies, congenital scoliosis, missing coccyx, fatty filum/TC, anal stenosis, horseshoe kidney, dbl ureter in left kidney, ureterocele, kidney reflux, neurogenic bladder, bilateral hip dysplasia, right leg/foot dyplasia, tibial torsion, clubfoot with 8 toes, pes cavus, single umblilical artery, etc. http://carmellb-ivil.tripod.com/myfamily/

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