Re: Bert's Quest for Stats

[Guest guest]

Bert,

Lets try this,

I can give you a handful of names and if they are on CAST and their families dont mind sharing info, we can go from there.

FIRST ROUND OF N. AMERICAN Of CAST KIDDOS

Tyler

Siobhan

Evan

Madison

Jaeden

Santiago

Lucas

Also, look on CAST for published articles on Dr. Mehta and early treatment with POP jackets. Let me know what you come up with and I will see if you come up with articles that I dont have.

Also, give the Board an example of what happens if you

"wait and watch." All non structural, progressive curves start out small and can increase rapidly with the childs growth. Ask them if they are aware that a halo may come next, if the casts arent applied early (far more costly)....These serial corrective casts applied early may prevent children from ever having to undergo the halo/cast procedure.

I would like to suggest that for the parents that agree to share their childs info, to post on CAST. It would be beneficial for everyone on CAST to see their results. Please post on the group, because there are over 100 members now, and this info would very beneficial to all members.

Im still thinking.......

talk soon Bert,

HRH

[Guest guest]

Bert,

was diagnosed with Infantile Scoliosis at 8 weeks old. At that time he had a 32 degree curve, but keep in mind that was a laying down x-ray. I was told to "wait and see."

The following month we went to another Dr. and his curve measured 42 degrees, and then the following month 50 degrees. I decided not to watch anymore, and that if no one was going to do anything then I would. This is when I found out about casting. Our 3rd Dr. in San Diego agreed to cast but he was going to do a fiberglass cast with his arm and leg in it. I was concerned about his milestones being met so I asked the Dr. about that. He told me would NOT crawl, that was the point. I was HORRIFIED!

That was when I decided that I needed to go elsewhere, to another state. I called everywhere and told Dr.'s my story and they all said he would be fine, although his RVAD was 40 by now. was put in his 1st cast in March, at that time his curve still measured 50 but his RVAD was now 50. Dr. D'Astous got his curve to 30 and his RVAD to 40. In June his 2nd cast was applied and his measurements stayed the same. just has his 3rd cast applied and his curve is now 23 degrees(standing up). So...origionally his curve was 50 laying down (which was actually probably more like 60 standing up), his curve is currently 23 degrees standing up in his 3rd cast. Not bad!

If you need more info just let me know.

Crista

[Guest guest]

Hi Bert

Here is an article written by another US Doc about plaster, though I

don't believe any parent/patient who has been treated by him as ever

come forward! (Or if any exist...)

Also in the Group " Files " there is one or two articles published by

Dr Min Mehta (in the links to our left above photos). One talks

about the benfefits of casting, her life work etc...

Plus I spoke with a Dr Rivard who works out of St es

Hospital in Montreal, and the Montreal Shriner's, and he offered to

Plaster cast Siobhan if we could get there. But again, I've never

spoken directly with any parent/patient who has been casted by him.

Q: At what point do you begin treatment?

A: If a curve progresses beyond 15 to 20 degrees, we would treat the

child by using a plaster cast to keep the curvature from progressing.

Q: Why plaster instead of plastic?

A: There are several reasons of that choice. it can be awfully

difficult to keep a young child in a plastic brace which has to be

put on and taken off each day. Also, plaster casts are actually more

comfortable-they create less pressure on the body because they're

molded to the body. And because plaster casts are generally easier

to deal with, we find we get better correction with them. The

plaster cast will be changed every 3 to 4 months depending on the

growth rate of the child. Plastic bracing is used once initial

correction has been achieved or may be used from the outset on

larger children.

Q: How successful is plaster casting?

A: Very-about 90-plus percent of patients get better due to casting.

..

> Bert,

> Lets try this,

> I can give you a handful of names and if they are on CAST and

their families

> dont mind sharing info, we can go from there.

> FIRST ROUND OF N. AMERICAN Of CAST KIDDOS

> Tyler

>

> Siobhan

> Evan

>

> Madison

> Jaeden

> Santiago

>

> Lucas

>

> Also, look on CAST for published articles on Dr. Mehta and early

treatment

> with POP jackets. Let me know what you come up with and I will

see if you come

> up with articles that I dont have.

>

> Also, give the Board an example of what happens if you

> " wait and watch. " All non structural, progressive curves start

out small and

> can increase rapidly with the childs growth. Ask them if they are

aware that

> a halo may come next, if the casts arent applied early (far more

> costly)....These serial corrective casts applied early may prevent

children from ever

> having to undergo the halo/cast procedure.

>

> I would like to suggest that for the parents that agree to share

their childs

> info, to post on CAST. It would be beneficial for everyone on

CAST to see

> their results. Please post on the group, because there are over

100 members

> now, and this info would very beneficial to all members.

>

> Im still thinking.......

>

> talk soon Bert,

>

> HRH

[Guest guest]

Bert

More suggestions for you. I asked my scoli buddies on scoliosis support for any advice for finding a doc in Australia willing to cast. One of the founders has given this advice...

",

I've been thinking about that couple who are bringing their child over from Australia for casting.If possible they should directly contact the Scoliosis association UK which are an independent charity.They were very helpful in arranging a pregnancy consultation with an Australian internet buddy of mine and found her an Australian Lung specialist to take care of her in Sydney when all other doctors refused to take her on.she has 21% lung capacity from scoliosis.They might be the best people to advise the couple on potential doctors who might do it in Oz. My new consultant did his spine fellowship in Australia and I'll see if he knows anything."

I'll let you know if her consultant knows anything, but I thought this might be worth a shot?

Best of luck

jabostock <jabostock@...> wrote:

Hi BertHere is an article written by another US Doc about plaster, though I don't believe any parent/patient who has been treated by him as ever come forward! (Or if any exist...)Also in the Group "Files" there is one or two articles published by Dr Min Mehta (in the links to our left above photos). One talks about the benfefits of casting, her life work etc...Plus I spoke with a Dr Rivard who works out of St es Hospital in Montreal, and the Montreal Shriner's, and he offered to Plaster cast Siobhan if we could get there. But again, I've never spoken directly with any parent/patient who has been casted by him.Q: At what point do you begin treatment?A: If a curve progresses beyond 15 to 20 degrees, we would treat the child by using a plaster cast to keep the curvature from

progressing.Q: Why plaster instead of plastic?A: There are several reasons of that choice. it can be awfully difficult to keep a young child in a plastic brace which has to be put on and taken off each day. Also, plaster casts are actually more comfortable-they create less pressure on the body because they're molded to the body. And because plaster casts are generally easier to deal with, we find we get better correction with them. The plaster cast will be changed every 3 to 4 months depending on the growth rate of the child. Plastic bracing is used once initial correction has been achieved or may be used from the outset on larger children.Q: How successful is plaster casting?A: Very-about 90-plus percent of patients get better due to casting..> Bert,> Lets try this,> I can give you a

handful of names and if they are on CAST and their families > dont mind sharing info, we can go from there.> FIRST ROUND OF N. AMERICAN Of CAST KIDDOS> Tyler> > Siobhan> Evan > > Madison> Jaeden> Santiago> > Lucas> > Also, look on CAST for published articles on Dr. Mehta and early treatment > with POP jackets. Let me know what you come up with and I will see if you come > up with articles that I dont have.> > Also, give the Board an example of what happens if you > "wait and watch." All non structural, progressive curves start out small and > can increase rapidly with the childs growth. Ask them if they are aware that > a halo may come next, if the casts arent applied early (far more > costly)....These serial corrective casts applied early may prevent children from ever

> having to undergo the halo/cast procedure.> > I would like to suggest that for the parents that agree to share their childs > info, to post on CAST. It would be beneficial for everyone on CAST to see > their results. Please post on the group, because there are over 100 members > now, and this info would very beneficial to all members.> > Im still thinking.......> > talk soon Bert,> > HRH

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