1st Cast Date, RVAD measurement and Questions...

[Guest guest]

We are scheduled for our first cast on September 30. We are going to see Dr. K

in AL. We have an eval/consult on Sept 29.

We saw Dr. B (our 3rd ortho) today - thanks for the recommendation Tame!! They

did a set of xrays and I was finally given an RVAD measurement!! Here are Dr.

B's measurements from the xrays I brought in and the ones taken today:

Aug 20: COBB 26* and RVAD 16* (xray not taken using traction**)

Sept 14: COBB 19* and RVAD 29* (using traction)

** (Dr. K's nurse) informed me that the method they used to take today's

xray was using " traction " (I stabilized his arms at shoulder level and the tech

held his legs in a straight/together/pulled down position)

I called because I left feeling confused as to why his COBB measurement

decreased yet his RVAD increased. She explained that you would see a difference

using traction vs not, so to not be too concerned with today's numbers.

Dr. B expressed concerns with:

--- Pierce's RVAD being 29*. He said he definitely has IIS and because of the

RVAD measurement, it's considered progressive.

--- Pierce's head size - he told me to minimize how much he sits up because we

could see another curve form (kyphosis).

--- He thinks we should WAIT on casting because of the (1) decrease in COBB*

(but I don't think he's truly decreased) and (2) he thinks casting will

exacerbate Pierce's GI issues.

We are still heading to Birmingham at the end of this month.

What are your thoughts on the above? Thanks!