Guest guest Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Sorry to hear you have had to go through a cast during the summer. We have had an opposite problem... our son broke a bone in his fore arm and would not wear the cast or a splint... we are two weeks into the injury and he is beginning to use the arm... .... but for your little guy, maybe bring ear plugs, or something to reduce the noise, maybe some sunglasses, just to make it fun... bring his favorite reinforcer so he can have some every minute or two that he stays calm or allows the removal process to take place. The doctor or ortho tech usually shows the patient that the "saw" only cuts the cast and will not hurt the skin. Does your son talk??? If not see if you can get pictures to tell him he will not get hurt.... work on the positive that he can use his new arm when the cast comes off, plan a favored activity for just after the appointment.... good luck. Pam -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Leigh-Ann " <hlak19@...> can anyone give me some ideas for preparing my 7yo asd for the removal of his cast it is a boxing glove looking one ohmost to his shoulder the only thing sticking out was his thumb. can anyone help me ideas please and thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Sorry to hear you have had to go through a cast during the summer. We have had an opposite problem... our son broke a bone in his fore arm and would not wear the cast or a splint... we are two weeks into the injury and he is beginning to use the arm... .... but for your little guy, maybe bring ear plugs, or something to reduce the noise, maybe some sunglasses, just to make it fun... bring his favorite reinforcer so he can have some every minute or two that he stays calm or allows the removal process to take place. The doctor or ortho tech usually shows the patient that the "saw" only cuts the cast and will not hurt the skin. Does your son talk??? If not see if you can get pictures to tell him he will not get hurt.... work on the positive that he can use his new arm when the cast comes off, plan a favored activity for just after the appointment.... good luck. Pam -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Leigh-Ann " <hlak19@...> can anyone give me some ideas for preparing my 7yo asd for the removal of his cast it is a boxing glove looking one ohmost to his shoulder the only thing sticking out was his thumb. can anyone help me ideas please and thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Hi everyone. My daughter has been in her cast for 2 weeks and is going for a change on Friday. Her curve was 53.7 prior to the first cast, but the md felt very confident that the curve was drastically reduced only leaving about 3 vertebrae with a curve and has full expectation of correcting that on Friday. I guess I am very antsy about general anesthesia yet again, she is 2 and this will be the 4th time she has had general. And mostly just wondering if there is a chance that he will take the cast off only to find that it hasn't worked. I mean is this a sure fix? What are the chances it might not have worked? I am just so nervous, because I know she will have to have surgery if it doesn't work. The plan is after the next cast put her in an TSLO for several months. I hope and pray that this has worked, but I also don't want to get my hopes too high. Any thoughts? beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Am I reading that right that she's only been in the cast or 2 weeks, or did you mean 12? Generally, the cast stays on or 8 to 12 weeks with most of the correction occurring during those last few weeks. If she's only been in the cast or 2 weeks, then I am guessing you probably will see very little correction if any. I am also surprised with a curve of that degree that they think she'll only have one more cast. My son started out at 43 degrees and is currently in his 7th cast (he is now down to 11 degrees). Where is she being castled? Is it the Mehta style? As for your question about whether it is a sure thing or not, I doubt any doctor will say anything is a guarantee. But, most of us whose children are being casted by Shriners using the Mehta technique are having fantastic results. If you want to chat, my email addy is noellesmommy@.... Noelle (12-2-01) Ian (8-15-04) Cast Hi everyone. My daughter has been in her cast for 2 weeks and is going for a change on Friday. Her curve was 53.7 prior to the first cast, but the md felt very confident that the curve was drastically reduced only leaving about 3 vertebrae with a curve and has full expectation of correcting that on Friday. I guess I am very antsy about general anesthesia yet again, she is 2 and this will be the 4th time she has had general. And mostly just wondering if there is a chance that he will take the cast off only to find that it hasn't worked. I mean is this a sure fix? What are the chances it might not have worked? I am just so nervous, because I know she will have to have surgery if it doesn't work. The plan is after the next cast put her in an TSLO for several months. I hope and pray that this has worked, but I also don't want to get my hopes too high. Any thoughts? beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Sorry for the typos! The F key isn't working correctly on my keyboard and it's casted not castled! LOL/ Noelle (12-2-01) Ian (8-15-04) Cast Hi everyone. My daughter has been in her cast for 2 weeks and is going for a change on Friday. Her curve was 53.7 prior to the first cast, but the md felt very confident that the curve was drastically reduced only leaving about 3 vertebrae with a curve and has full expectation of correcting that on Friday. I guess I am very antsy about general anesthesia yet again, she is 2 and this will be the 4th time she has had general. And mostly just wondering if there is a chance that he will take the cast off only to find that it hasn't worked. I mean is this a sure fix? What are the chances it might not have worked? I am just so nervous, because I know she will have to have surgery if it doesn't work. The plan is after the next cast put her in an TSLO for several months. I hope and pray that this has worked, but I also don't want to get my hopes too high. Any thoughts? beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 yes 2 weeks was correct. she is in a risser style cast, they used a special table called a risser table to place it. so tomorrow they will change it and then hopefully she will go to a brace..does this information sound incorrect? thanks. - -- In infantile scoliosis treatment , " Claflin " <noellesmommy@...> wrote: > > Sorry for the typos! The F key isn't working correctly on my keyboard and it's casted not castled! LOL/ > > > Noelle (12-2-01) > Ian (8-15-04) > Cast > > Hi everyone. My daughter has been in her cast for 2 weeks and is > going for a change on Friday. Her curve was 53.7 prior to the first > cast, but the md felt very confident that the curve was drastically > reduced only leaving about 3 vertebrae with a curve and has full > expectation of correcting that on Friday. I guess I am very antsy > about general anesthesia yet again, she is 2 and this will be the 4th > time she has had general. And mostly just wondering if there is a > chance that he will take the cast off only to find that it hasn't > worked. I mean is this a sure fix? What are the chances it might not > have worked? I am just so nervous, because I know she will have to > have surgery if it doesn't work. The plan is after the next cast put > her in an TSLO for several months. I hope and pray that this has > worked, but I also don't want to get my hopes too high. Any > thoughts? beth > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Hi, my name is . My son is in his third cast. has had two open heart surgeries, other surgeries requiring anaesthetic etc, so I too was concerned about him having these GAs on a regular basis. I consulted his cardiologist here in Australia and he reassured me that General anaesthesia does not accumulate in the body, in fact, some burns victims need GA's on a weekly basis. is up to his 12th GA. I imagine some children on this group will be well past that figure. Have you read Dr Mehtas latest study? You will find it on the group. It will answer a lot of your questions about curve resolution, and also what other factors come into play with the expected outcome. Where are you getting your daughter treated? How long in total has she been in casts? Casting is a gentle, slow process that does take time to work. There are others on this group who gave me amazing advice whose kids are now scoliosis free because of the EARLY TREATMENT PROCESS. This is only my opinion, and I say it without knowing the facts too well, but don't be disheartened if your daughters curve is not " corrected " as your MD said with this next cast. Even if your daughters curve remains the same, it doesn't mean the casting is not working. It may well be the next cast where she will get great correction. I know surgery seems really nerve racking, and although has had many operations, I do worry about a child with half a heart going through back surgery, so I share your concerns. HOWEVER, I am so grateful the option of surgery is there for him, as he will need it one day. Take heart, you and your daughter are in a good position. She is still young and you have found casting!!! Are you at a shriners hospital in America??? They are the experts! Take care and good luck with everything! > > Hi everyone. My daughter has been in her cast for 2 weeks and is > going for a change on Friday. Her curve was 53.7 prior to the first > cast, but the md felt very confident that the curve was drastically > reduced only leaving about 3 vertebrae with a curve and has full > expectation of correcting that on Friday. I guess I am very antsy > about general anesthesia yet again, she is 2 and this will be the 4th > time she has had general. And mostly just wondering if there is a > chance that he will take the cast off only to find that it hasn't > worked. I mean is this a sure fix? What are the chances it might not > have worked? I am just so nervous, because I know she will have to > have surgery if it doesn't work. The plan is after the next cast put > her in an TSLO for several months. I hope and pray that this has > worked, but I also don't want to get my hopes too high. Any > thoughts? beth > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Hi again, Sorry , I didn't realise you replied and I wrote a big lengthy email, but you actually covered all my points in a few lines which proves I really ramble!!!!! LOL If I can just comment on this. It doesn't sound very good to me, my instincts are saying this is way too fast! The EARLY TREATMENT PROCESS is gradual and NEEDS time to work, and until that curve and rotation is down to a tiny number, bracing is not effective as no brace has been proven to alter the nature of any curve. Bracing is not a treatment, rather a maintenence once correction has been acheived. Casting is the treatment and it is only with casting that surgery can possibly be avoided if it is a progressive curve. Also, a risser frame is an adult casting frame. The correct frame is called an AMIL frame. An AMIL frame is a specialised childs casting frame. I just purchased one for s orthopaedic surgeon. It allows MAXIMUM CORRECTION of your childs scoliosis. I would encourage you to read all you can on the ISOP website and to also talk to the incredibly intelligent parents on this group. Their knowledge is amazing. Like said, two weeks in a cast is not long enough. I wonder if you could contact Shriners before your daughter went into get her cast changed and had another GA. Please don't panic, it is wonderful you have mentioned everything you emailed as now you have the opportunity to research and to learn all you can about casting etc. You can call me anytime, though I am in Australia and it would be better for you to talk to a person in America like , just know I am available to chat ANYTIME (day or night) My private email address in briangchef@... PS Sorry , I hope you don't feel like I stepped in, I am just SO PASSIONATE when it comes to this because of what happened to ! Take care, > > > > Sorry for the typos! The F key isn't working correctly on my > keyboard and it's casted not castled! LOL/ > > > > > > Noelle (12-2-01) > > Ian (8-15-04) > > Cast > > > > Hi everyone. My daughter has been in her cast for 2 weeks and is > > going for a change on Friday. Her curve was 53.7 prior to the > first > > cast, but the md felt very confident that the curve was > drastically > > reduced only leaving about 3 vertebrae with a curve and has full > > expectation of correcting that on Friday. I guess I am very > antsy > > about general anesthesia yet again, she is 2 and this will be > the 4th > > time she has had general. And mostly just wondering if there is > a > > chance that he will take the cast off only to find that it > hasn't > > worked. I mean is this a sure fix? What are the chances it might > not > > have worked? I am just so nervous, because I know she will have > to > > have surgery if it doesn't work. The plan is after the next cast > put > > her in an TSLO for several months. I hope and pray that this has > > worked, but I also don't want to get my hopes too high. Any > > thoughts? beth > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Dear beth, The first thing I thought when I read your post is that you must have meant two months, not two weeks, but then in your latest post you clarified two weeks. Two weeks seems WAY to short of a time. Cole is 21 months old and he has been in this cast for almost 3 months in addition to 6 other casts (he went from 48 degrees to 10, but it took 13+ months). I don't think you will see much correction in that time. From your post, it's hard to know what you meant by 4 general anesthesias. Has she had 4 casts, or was it for other reasons? I would expect your daughter to be in a cast for at least two years... not to alarm you. Please look into The Mehta casting method, before you decide on surgery. Where do you live, and who is your ortho doc.? You have found the best group of parents and caretakers for infantile scoli. Everyone here is very knowledgeable and open. We'd, be interested to know more about your daughter and her scoli experience... when did it get diagnosed? has she had an MRI? has congenital scoli been ruled out? What did her curve start at? Best of luck on Fri. Please let us know how it goes. Take care, and Cole corlieburr <cburr@...> wrote: Hi everyone. My daughter has been in her cast for 2 weeks and is going for a change on Friday. Her curve was 53.7 prior to the first cast, but the md felt very confident that the curve was drastically reduced only leaving about 3 vertebrae with a curve and has full expectation of correcting that on Friday. I guess I am very antsy about general anesthesia yet again, she is 2 and this will be the 4th time she has had general. And mostly just wondering if there is a chance that he will take the cast off only to find that it hasn't worked. I mean is this a sure fix? What are the chances it might not have worked? I am just so nervous, because I know she will have to have surgery if it doesn't work. The plan is after the next cast put her in an TSLO for several months. I hope and pray that this has worked, but I also don't want to get my hopes too high. Any thoughts? beth __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 I agree with . Risser frames are made for adults. To achieve optimum success, your doctor should be using an AMIL table. Also, if he is not doing the cut-outs in the front of the cast in the mushroom shape like Mehta recommends, you run the risk of chestwall deformities. is also correct in that it is a slow gentle process. Usually they remain in casts for the length of time that is equal to the age when they were initially casted...so Ian was 15 months when he was first casted and it looks like he'll be in casts for just over 15 months before he is ready to go into a brace. If they are too aggressive in manipulating the curve, it can cause it to become rigid and thus making correction even more difficult. Each cast should be left on for 8 to 12 weeks. I would definitely be concerned that she's only in the cast for 2 weeks. Also, normally they wait until the curve is under 10 degrees before moving to a brace. She should also be out of the cast for about 12 hours prior to applying the new one so that you can see how much the spine springs back and so that the new cast can be properly applied. Have you asked your doctor how many other infantile scoliosis kids that he has casted? What were their outcomes? Is she idiopathic? If so, with a properly applied cast, she should be able to avoid surgery...of course there are no guarantees in life, but kids casted with the Mehta techniques seem to be responding very well to treatment. Also, how old is she? The earlier the casting is done the better. Anyway, if you ever want to chat on the phone just shoot me a private email and I will send you my phone number. Noelle (12-2-01) Ian (8-15-04) Cast > > > > Hi everyone. My daughter has been in her cast for 2 weeks and is > > going for a change on Friday. Her curve was 53.7 prior to the > first > > cast, but the md felt very confident that the curve was > drastically > > reduced only leaving about 3 vertebrae with a curve and has full > > expectation of correcting that on Friday. I guess I am very > antsy > > about general anesthesia yet again, she is 2 and this will be > the 4th > > time she has had general. And mostly just wondering if there is > a > > chance that he will take the cast off only to find that it > hasn't > > worked. I mean is this a sure fix? What are the chances it might > not > > have worked? I am just so nervous, because I know she will have > to > > have surgery if it doesn't work. The plan is after the next cast > put > > her in an TSLO for several months. I hope and pray that this has > > worked, but I also don't want to get my hopes too high. Any > > thoughts? beth > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 , No worries! I am glad you posted your opinions! That's what this board is for!! Noelle (12-2-01) Ian (8-15-04) Cast > > > > Hi everyone. My daughter has been in her cast for 2 weeks and is > > going for a change on Friday. Her curve was 53.7 prior to the > first > > cast, but the md felt very confident that the curve was > drastically > > reduced only leaving about 3 vertebrae with a curve and has full > > expectation of correcting that on Friday. I guess I am very > antsy > > about general anesthesia yet again, she is 2 and this will be > the 4th > > time she has had general. And mostly just wondering if there is > a > > chance that he will take the cast off only to find that it > hasn't > > worked. I mean is this a sure fix? What are the chances it might > not > > have worked? I am just so nervous, because I know she will have > to > > have surgery if it doesn't work. The plan is after the next cast > put > > her in an TSLO for several months. I hope and pray that this has > > worked, but I also don't want to get my hopes too high. Any > > thoughts? beth > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Me again too. and C. said things perfectly. The frame used is very important ( should be a infant/child frame, not an adult size). Also, correction is a slow process. And, typically braces do not work, especially when the curve is 53 degrees. I know one mom on this group, who bracing has worked for their daughter, and I think she has an exceptional guy... brace maker (what are they called :~)?) Anyway, the website is talking about is infantilescoliosis.org Read the entire website, especially the stories section. Many of our children and their experiences are posted. Hang in there beth, you are on the right path. Like, also said, we are very passionate about our kids getting the correct tx for infantile scoliosis, and are always happy to help others. There are only 2-3 places in the U.S. that have trained doctors for the correct method that works in straightening these kids. Many orthos in the country will just blow you off, and tell you surgery is the right thing to do....sometimes it is, but many/most times, with the younger kids, it's not. /Cole moniquetiagarcia <moniquetiagarcia@...> wrote: Hi again, Sorry , I didn't realise you replied and I wrote a big lengthy email, but you actually covered all my points in a few lines which proves I really ramble!!!!! LOL If I can just comment on this. It doesn't sound very good to me, my instincts are saying this is way too fast! The EARLY TREATMENT PROCESS is gradual and NEEDS time to work, and until that curve and rotation is down to a tiny number, bracing is not effective as no brace has been proven to alter the nature of any curve. Bracing is not a treatment, rather a maintenence once correction has been acheived. Casting is the treatment and it is only with casting that surgery can possibly be avoided if it is a progressive curve. Also, a risser frame is an adult casting frame. The correct frame is called an AMIL frame. An AMIL frame is a specialised childs casting frame. I just purchased one for s orthopaedic surgeon. It allows MAXIMUM CORRECTION of your childs scoliosis. I would encourage you to read all you can on the ISOP website and to also talk to the incredibly intelligent parents on this group. Their knowledge is amazing. Like said, two weeks in a cast is not long enough. I wonder if you could contact Shriners before your daughter went into get her cast changed and had another GA. Please don't panic, it is wonderful you have mentioned everything you emailed as now you have the opportunity to research and to learn all you can about casting etc. You can call me anytime, though I am in Australia and it would be better for you to talk to a person in America like , just know I am available to chat ANYTIME (day or night) My private email address in briangchef@... PS Sorry , I hope you don't feel like I stepped in, I am just SO PASSIONATE when it comes to this because of what happened to ! Take care, > > > > Sorry for the typos! The F key isn't working correctly on my > keyboard and it's casted not castled! LOL/ > > > > > > Noelle (12-2-01) > > Ian (8-15-04) > > Cast > > > > Hi everyone. My daughter has been in her cast for 2 weeks and is > > going for a change on Friday. Her curve was 53.7 prior to the > first > > cast, but the md felt very confident that the curve was > drastically > > reduced only leaving about 3 vertebrae with a curve and has full > > expectation of correcting that on Friday. I guess I am very > antsy > > about general anesthesia yet again, she is 2 and this will be > the 4th > > time she has had general. And mostly just wondering if there is > a > > chance that he will take the cast off only to find that it > hasn't > > worked. I mean is this a sure fix? What are the chances it might > not > > have worked? I am just so nervous, because I know she will have > to > > have surgery if it doesn't work. The plan is after the next cast > put > > her in an TSLO for several months. I hope and pray that this has > > worked, but I also don't want to get my hopes too high. Any > > thoughts? beth > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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