Guest guest Posted December 10, 2004 Report Share Posted December 10, 2004 Hi Everyone, Something I've been thinking about. I'm planning on having revision surgery like many on this group. Anyway, I've been thinking that it's unfortunate that the only " scoliosis experts " out there are surgeons, so that their bias is going to be towards surgery. Now, I know that good scoliosis docs aren't going to recommend surgery when it isn't called for, but I was just wondering if there is any medical research going on to somehow prevent scoliosis from getting worse (other than bracing) or to somehow cure it other than through surgery. I know that such research even if successful probably wouldn't help those of us with flatback, but I was curious what research was being done (if any) to cure scoliosis or to avoid a surgical approach completely. I'd welcome your opinions, input, etc. Thanks, Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2004 Report Share Posted December 10, 2004 Hi Robin: In relating to the idea of research for non-surgical approches to spinal deformity, I noticed after reviewing Dr. Bridwell's research project summaries that he and Dr. Lenke currently have a study to evaluate adults with significant spinal deformity (either scoliosis, kyphosis and or spondylolisthesis) to examine the symptoms & effectiveness of both surgical and non-surgical treatments. The study measures clinical outcomes based on patient questionnaires, x-rays and clinical assessment. Also, in regards to new treatments that (while not a prevention) are much less invasive for children, he & Dr. Lenke have a study to determine the effectiveness of vetebral interbody stapling to treat infantile & juvenile scoliosis by halting curve progression, using an endoscope/camera to perform spinal surgery through small holes in the chest. The Nitinol staples used are FDA approved and are used without any other spinal instrumentation. The staples are considered " off-label " the intended use. Just thought I'd pass those along. At least there is some research going on out there comparing non-surgical approaches as well as a new technique for children that may prove to halt progression in a much less invasive approach. There is definiely hope for continuing advances and maybe someday prevention! Martha lovetoknit2001 <lovetoknit@...> wrote: Hi Everyone, Something I've been thinking about. I'm planning on having revision surgery like many on this group. Anyway, I've been thinking that it's unfortunate that the only " scoliosis experts " out there are surgeons, so that their bias is going to be towards surgery. Now, I know that good scoliosis docs aren't going to recommend surgery when it isn't called for, but I was just wondering if there is any medical research going on to somehow prevent scoliosis from getting worse (other than bracing) or to somehow cure it other than through surgery. I know that such research even if successful probably wouldn't help those of us with flatback, but I was curious what research was being done (if any) to cure scoliosis or to avoid a surgical approach completely. I'd welcome your opinions, input, etc. Thanks, Robin Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any advertised products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2004 Report Share Posted December 10, 2004 At least in my case (confirmed flatback dx sept 03, revision jan 04) I was told by 4 diff docs that I did not have a problem that could be FIXED with pt or meds, but only controlled for a time with them, during which time the wear and tear on discs would get worse. Given that, i went ahead while my condition was fairly mild and i was young enough to feel I'd have a better recovery if i went ahead. In my case it was not that the SCOLIOSIS was getting worse, but the effects of the flatback (from the scoliosis fix) were getting worse and causing a lot more pain. Way back when, my sisters avoided bracing and surgery, but I do not know what is being done today to prevent scoliosis from getting worse. lovetoknit2001 wrote: > > >Hi Everyone, > >Something I've been thinking about. I'm planning on having revision >surgery like many on this group. Anyway, I've been thinking that >it's unfortunate that the only " scoliosis experts " out there are >surgeons, so that their bias is going to be towards surgery. > >Now, I know that good scoliosis docs aren't going to recommend >surgery when it isn't called for, but I was just wondering if there >is any medical research going on to somehow prevent scoliosis from >getting worse (other than bracing) or to somehow cure it other than >through surgery. > >I know that such research even if successful probably wouldn't help >those of us with flatback, but I was curious what research was being >done (if any) to cure scoliosis or to avoid a surgical approach >completely. > >I'd welcome your opinions, input, etc. > >Thanks, >Robin > > > > > > > > > >Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any advertised products. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 Dr. Glazer in Boston told me the " next best thing " is going to be a surgery where they use your own muscles to straighten your spine but don't have to fuse you -- obviously that won't help any of us because we've already been fused, but the research is ongoing.... scoliosis experts Hi Everyone, Something I've been thinking about. I'm planning on having revision surgery like many on this group. Anyway, I've been thinking that it's unfortunate that the only " scoliosis experts " out there are surgeons, so that their bias is going to be towards surgery. Now, I know that good scoliosis docs aren't going to recommend surgery when it isn't called for, but I was just wondering if there is any medical research going on to somehow prevent scoliosis from getting worse (other than bracing) or to somehow cure it other than through surgery. I know that such research even if successful probably wouldn't help those of us with flatback, but I was curious what research was being done (if any) to cure scoliosis or to avoid a surgical approach completely. I'd welcome your opinions, input, etc. Thanks, Robin Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any advertised products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 Robin... There is a lot of ongoing genetic research, so gene therapy will hopefully one day be used to correct the genes before they can cause the spine to curve. -- > Hi Everyone, > > Something I've been thinking about. I'm planning on having revision > surgery like many on this group. Anyway, I've been thinking that > it's unfortunate that the only " scoliosis experts " out there are > surgeons, so that their bias is going to be towards surgery. > > Now, I know that good scoliosis docs aren't going to recommend > surgery when it isn't called for, but I was just wondering if there > is any medical research going on to somehow prevent scoliosis from > getting worse (other than bracing) or to somehow cure it other than > through surgery. > > I know that such research even if successful probably wouldn't help > those of us with flatback, but I was curious what research was being > done (if any) to cure scoliosis or to avoid a surgical approach > completely. > > I'd welcome your opinions, input, etc. > > Thanks, > Robin > > > > > > > > > Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any advertised products. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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