Re: A few questions...........

[Guest guest]

,

Here is what I think,

Do all scoliosis children have rotation?

Children with very mild curves probably havent developed a rotation yet..As the curve increases, so does the possibility of rotation.

How do the casts work with car seats?

This would be a good question to ask Crista, , and . They all

have infants in casts and car seats, right now....Olivia had problems in one of her casts (in a car seat) due to the way the cast had been trimmed. It wasnt cut high enough above her legs, and when she was sitting in the seat, the cast would dig into her legs. This was easily remedied by some more trimming, and more moleskin.

How hard is it to get in to see Dr. ?

I would suggest that you do on "over the phone" application. Also, send your babes latest films, any MRI's or ct scans, a photograph, short bio/fact sheet on your child inluding anything significant. Such as, connective tissue disorders or any genetic findings. Fed Ex w/ Attn: Dr. .

Ive heard of patients getting in within 2 to 3 weeks.

What if the Cobb angle increases but the RVAD doesnt?

If the Cobb increases and the RVAD doesnt, I think it would depend on to what degree the Cobb had increased. Also, if the RVAD is below 20, thats good...

Now, if the RVAD has increased above 20, and the Cobb hasnt, I would seek another opinion to make sure measurements coincide....Then if so, get an appt. with a doc that is familiar with POP jackets.

What exactly determines the progressiveness?

The RVAD determines if a childs curve is a progressive one, or not.. If the RVAD is above 20, it should be considered progressive.

If a curve has not progressed and they tell me to "wait and see", would a 30 degree curve require action anyway.? Should I brace or cast anyway?

Yes, please make a casting appt., as soon as you can!

A baby grows fast and if the baby has a bent spine, that bent spine will also grow more bent at the same rate as the baby grows. Thats why early treatment w/ POP jackets for progressive non structural scoliosis is the way to go. Early treatment with a series of POP jackets has the possibility of correcting an infants spine gently.

Hope this helps!

HRH

[Guest guest]

> ~If the curve has not progressed and they tell me to wait and see,

> would a 30 degree curve require action anyway?

> ~Should I brace or cast him anyway? Anyone have any experience here?

I believe a 30º curve does require treatment. Pushing the curve as straight as

possible and holding it there (whether with a brace or a cast) will help the

vertebra from becoming structurally misshapen. Vertebra are approximately

rectangular, but when in a lateral curve, they grow into a more triangular

shape. So even if you could know that the curve would not progress whatsoever,

during a child's growth there is a benefit to holding the curve as straight as

possible. In my opinion, a 30º curve is significant enough that you'd want to

keep the bone from growing improperly.

Nola

[Guest guest]

That was my opinion also but being so new to this and not having much

to fall back on but my research and this site, it's helpful to know

what other parents with scoliosis children would do. Thank you

Nola. I will press this issue with our ortho later this month.

I am surely learning to become a more forthright person. Normally

really shy and complacent, this experience has taught me to speak my

mind when neccesary. Something positive always comes out of

something negative!

>

> > ~If the curve has not progressed and they tell me to wait and

see,

> > would a 30 degree curve require action anyway?

> > ~Should I brace or cast him anyway? Anyone have any experience

here?

>

> I believe a 30º curve does require treatment. Pushing the curve as

straight as possible and holding it there (whether with a brace or a

cast) will help the vertebra from becoming structurally misshapen.

Vertebra are approximately rectangular, but when in a lateral curve,

they grow into a more triangular shape. So even if you could know

that the curve would not progress whatsoever, during a child's growth

there is a benefit to holding the curve as straight as possible. In

my opinion, a 30º curve is significant enough that you'd want to keep

the bone from growing improperly.

>

> Nola

[Guest guest]

> - I have answered/given my opinion to your questions

below.

> ~ How do the casts work with car seats? Will I need a special one?

> (Colton is 7 months old)

: Our daughter, , is 19 months and was put in her

first cast on July 13. She fits perfectly in her car seat - just

had to loosen the straps a bit.

>

> ~ How hard is it to get into see Dr. in Erie? (That is the

> closed to our home)

: Dr. did 's cast. I had a hard time getting

a call back but I was able to convince my ortho that this was the

best option for . He called and I got a call back within a

day. And just so you know - Dr. is wonderful.

>

>

> ~If the curve has not progressed and they tell me to wait and see,

> would a 30 degree curve require action anyway?

> ~Should I brace or cast him anyway? Anyone have any experience

here?

: 's curve was at 28 degrees at 7 months. We were

told that it did not look like it would progress. By 11 months it

was at 47 degrees. By the time the brace was made for her at 13

months it was at 55 degrees and she was MISERABLE in the brace. The

cast is soooo much easier than taking the brace on and off. And

has not once complained about the cast. Diapering is tricky

BUT it is much easier to do than taking off a brace changing the

diaper and putting the brace back on. If your child is like most 7

month olds - just changing the diaper takes too long for them -

putting the brace back on just make it worse. And it was very

difficult to go out with the brace on because the changing stations

were too difficult to use to put the brace back on. Because

's curve progressed past 50, our chances of total correction

have been reduced, however, it measured 64 degrees before the cast

and 37 degrees after - so we have hope. My opinion is don't wait.

If he has no structural issues (checked by xray and MRI), you are in

your window of opportunity - you can have the casting done and have

scoliosis behind you before your little one is old enough to

remember anything about it. I so regret not taking action when

was 6 months old - we saw a nationally known orthopedic.

EVERYONE told me he was the best, just do what he says. Now he is

learning from Dr. that there is treatment - don't wait and

see. If your ortho want support you, call Dr. everyday

until you get in to see him. You might call your local Shriner's

and ask for help.

>

All the best to you and your family.

Mayes

Atlanta, Georgia

Call me anytime - 770-967-9122

[Guest guest]

regarding bracing and diapers...

I put diapers over the brace. Granted, she was two and had firm bms, but I

never put the diaper under it or had to take the brace off to do diapering. In

addition, the diaper being under the brace would reduce it's effectiveness

because it would have to be looser to accommodate it.

Nola

[Guest guest]

:

made a great comment below. We had to have 's cast

trimmed around the legs twice. Be sure that you check the cast with

your son sitting up and with the legs slightly elevated (like the

car seat does). We plan to ask for 's cast to be cut a little

higher with her next cast. Just in the front of the cast - the

fatty part of the thigh needs room when you sit down.

After the cast is applied, they will add mole skin to the cast.

There is also some gauze type material that adds cushion around the

edges - this also adds back to the length of the cast. So 's

is still a little snug around her legs when she is sitting.

Mayes

> ,

>

> Here is what I think,

>

> Do all scoliosis children have rotation?

> Children with very mild curves probably havent developed a

rotation yet..As

> the curve increases, so does the possibility of rotation.

>

> How do the casts work with car seats?

> This would be a good question to ask Crista, , and

. They

> all

> have infants in casts and car seats, right now....Olivia had

problems in one

> of her casts (in a car seat) due to the way the cast had been

trimmed. It

> wasnt cut high enough above her legs, and when she was sitting in

the seat, the

> cast would dig into her legs. This was easily remedied by some

more trimming,

> and more moleskin.

>

> How hard is it to get in to see Dr. ?

> I would suggest that you do on " over the phone " application.

Also, send your

> babes latest films, any MRI's or ct scans, a photograph, short

bio/fact sheet

> on your child inluding anything significant. Such as, connective

tissue

> disorders or any genetic findings. Fed Ex w/ Attn: Dr.

.

> Ive heard of patients getting in within 2 to 3 weeks.

>

> What if the Cobb angle increases but the RVAD doesnt?

> If the Cobb increases and the RVAD doesnt, I think it would depend

on to what

> degree the Cobb had increased. Also, if the RVAD is below 20,

thats good...

> Now, if the RVAD has increased above 20, and the Cobb hasnt, I

would seek

> another opinion to make sure measurements coincide....Then if so,

get an appt.

> with a doc that is familiar with POP jackets.

>

> What exactly determines the progressiveness?

> The RVAD determines if a childs curve is a progressive one, or

not.. If the

> RVAD is above 20, it should be considered progressive.

>

> If a curve has not progressed and they tell me to " wait and see " ,

would a 30

> degree curve require action anyway.? Should I brace or cast

anyway?

> Yes, please make a casting appt., as soon as you can!

>

> A baby grows fast and if the baby has a bent spine, that bent

spine will also

> grow more bent at the same rate as the baby grows. Thats why

early treatment

> w/ POP jackets for progressive non structural scoliosis is the way

to go.

> Early treatment with a series of POP jackets has the possibility

of correcting

> an infants spine gently.

>

> Hope this helps!

>

> HRH

[Guest guest]

Perhaps 's curve is different or more progressed but 's

brace came down well over her hips. Our orthotis said we had no

choice but to put the diaper under the brace or every thing that

came out would go up the brace! With casting, a smaller diaper can

be tucked under the cast edges and a larger diaper on the outside to

hold everything in place (very good advice I got from someone on

this site!). And no you do not use two diapers everytime - the

outer diaper is usually just changed once a day. The brace was so

tight around the bottom there was no way to use this method with it.

As we are all learning - everyone is different.

> regarding bracing and diapers...

>

> I put diapers over the brace. Granted, she was two and had firm

bms, but I never put the diaper under it or had to take the brace

off to do diapering. In addition, the diaper being under the brace

would reduce it's effectiveness because it would have to be looser

to accommodate it.

>

> Nola

[Guest guest]

Hey there

When you say structural issues do you mean wedging or congenital?

Adan has wedging but we did notice the curve till 11 months old we noticed a rib hump. he is in a brace but we really don't think it is doing much. it has only been a month

4-27-04 1st x-ray

520 standing

6-20 MRI negative

7 14 --brace

8-2 sitting Cray

I feel lost and can't wait to know what is really going on............

What is your opinion on the dmlmlm <dmayes1@...> wrote:

> - I have answered/given my opinion to your questions below.> ~ How do the casts work with car seats? Will I need a special one?> (Colton is 7 months old): Our daughter, , is 19 months and was put in her first cast on July 13. She fits perfectly in her car seat - just had to loosen the straps a bit. > > ~ How hard is it to get into see Dr. in Erie? (That is the > closed to our home): Dr. did 's cast. I had a hard time getting a call back but I was able to convince my ortho that this was the best option for . He called and I got a call back within a day. And just so you know - Dr. is wonderful.> > > ~If the curve has not progressed and they tell me to wait and

see, > would a 30 degree curve require action anyway? > ~Should I brace or cast him anyway? Anyone have any experience here?: 's curve was at 28 degrees at 7 months. We were told that it did not look like it would progress. By 11 months it was at 47 degrees. By the time the brace was made for her at 13 months it was at 55 degrees and she was MISERABLE in the brace. The cast is soooo much easier than taking the brace on and off. And has not once complained about the cast. Diapering is tricky BUT it is much easier to do than taking off a brace changing the diaper and putting the brace back on. If your child is like most 7 month olds - just changing the diaper takes too long for them - putting the brace back on just make it worse. And it was very difficult to go out with the brace on because the changing stations were too difficult

to use to put the brace back on. Because 's curve progressed past 50, our chances of total correction have been reduced, however, it measured 64 degrees before the cast and 37 degrees after - so we have hope. My opinion is don't wait. If he has no structural issues (checked by xray and MRI), you are in your window of opportunity - you can have the casting done and have scoliosis behind you before your little one is old enough to remember anything about it. I so regret not taking action when was 6 months old - we saw a nationally known orthopedic. EVERYONE told me he was the best, just do what he says. Now he is learning from Dr. that there is treatment - don't wait and see. If your ortho want support you, call Dr. everyday until you get in to see him. You might call your local Shriner's and ask for help.> All the best to you and your

family. MayesAtlanta, GeorgiaCall me anytime - 770-967-9122__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

:

I know that this is overwhelming. Sometimes too much advise is as

bad as none!

In our case, our ortho was not confident that the brace would do

anything but hold curve from progressing. This was not

exceptable to me and my husband. We felt that if there is any

chance of correcting the curve that we should do that for .

When 's curve was only corrected to 44 degrees in the brace,

we knew we had to try casting. Additionally, was very

uncomfortable in the TLSO. Apparently, not all children are but

was.

I researched and found the following on

http://www.scoliosis.org/resources/medicalupdates/earlyonset.php

(Below is copied from the above website)

From time to time, the National Scoliosis Foundation receives

questions from parents about early onset or infantile scoliosis. To

find out more about this spinal abnormality, we asked

Schommer, author of Stopping Scoliosis, to interview Dr.

Moskovich, who is Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at New

York University as well as a practicing specialist in spinal

disorders at the Hospital for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute

in New York City. What follows are excerpts from the interview.

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.

After reading this, I began looking for information on plaster

casting and found ISOP. So not only did I have a well known

doctor's opinion, I had many parents opinions ... after viewing the

video - we decided to give this a try. Always noting - if we do not

get good correction from the cast, we will have it cut right back

off. However, we were thrilled with the decrease from 64 to 37 with

our first cast and for us the cast is easier on our child.

, we are all trying to do what is best for our children and

EVERYONE on the site has had to follow there own heart and head to

do what is best for their child. That is exactly what you will have

to do. Doctors will never be as passionate about your child as you

and will rarely promote something that they are not very, very

familiar with. Everyone has different goals. Ours was to do

whatever we could to get total correction for . We are

obviously not there yet but we did have better success with the cast

so we are sticking with it.

Please know that we all know what you are going through. You are

taking the first steps that we have already taken. We went to our

ortho appointment prepared and you are doing the same thing. Listen

to your heart.

Call me anytime. 770-967-9122.

Mayes

> Hey there

>

> When you say structural issues do you mean wedging or congenital?

> Adan has wedging but we did notice the curve till 11 months old

we noticed a rib hump. he is in a brace but we really don't think it

is doing much. it has only been a month

> 4-27-04 1st x-ray

> 520 standing

> 6-20 MRI negative

> 7 14 --brace

> 8-2 sitting Cray

> I feel lost and can't wait to know what is really going

on............

>

>

>

>>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I had to buy the older baby carseat for after his cast. I think I have a Graco carseat. I just turned it backwards until he was about 11 months. He had his 1st cast at 9 months old.

Crista