Re: effect of curve in later life?

[Guest guest]

Hi Alison,

My daughter is down to 32 out of cast from

49 after a year of casting. She’s less than 24 in her brace, and we

go back next week for a check-up.

Dr. C at Philly expressed the goal with

her to keep her between 20-30 until she’s done growing. (She’s

3.5yrs old.) He said if we can achieve that, it won’t affect her

activities in adulthood, and she shouldn’t have any

pain/discomfort. I pray this is the case, and that we can achieve

it! He also said that it is harder to put enough “torque”

(probably not the right word) into the cast to force the spine to grow

straighter once the child is below 20 degrees. So once the curve is below

20-30, and the child has a progressive form of scoliosis, casting will probably/hopefully

keep it from getting worse with more growth but may not be enough to get more

correction. Every child is different though…

‘

I’d love to hear what other parents

have experienced!

Sherry

effect of curve in later life?

Hi

I was told today that Johannes would probably have a curve in the 20*s

(currently about 33* - down by about 3* since starting casting) at

the end of treatment.

Not sure what to make of that.

He doesn't have progressive scoliosis, so we are fortunate (the MRI scan showed

no physical problems with the spinal cord etc which is great news) - but I

thought self-resolving might resolve more than that.

Anyone know anything about the effect of an angle like that in later life? Does

it lead to back ache etc? I don't know whether I should be pushing for Mehta to

get it straighter... It's not on offer locally and would be v v v v v hard to

get.

I came away from the casting this morning (his 5th cast since June - we have a

different kind of cast to your ones and they're replaced every 2 weeks)

feeling tired with the treatment and all of this. I miss my squishy baby.

I know it's for the best to treat his spine, and I wouldn't dream of not treating

it, but I don't think anyone in our lives has any idea what impact it has to

have hospital appointments every 2 weeks for casting, to have regular x-rays

scheduled, to have to be careful that Johannes doesn't get wet or sandy and

only use a flannel when he'd love a bath...

Sorry - I'm feeling a bit tired and low today. It's a marathon and I need to

keep going I guess.

Just reaching out to you guys - you know that it's a bit of a

marathon too :-)

All the best

Alison

[Guest guest]

I would push for Mehta casting.  I know it can me hard to travel but I think it is worth it. If you have a shot of getting the curve down to 0 or at least under 10, and hopefully have a better shot of it not progressing as a teenager, it may be a good option. How old is your son? Where do you live?

Jenn Mommy to Cole & Max

[Guest guest]

Hi Alison,

Im no doc, but would suspect that lil J's curves/rotation may progresss

with growth. I would demand Early Treatment w/ Mehtas specialized EDF as

soon as possible.

I hope to meet you next week.

HRH

>

> Hi

> I was told today that Johannes would probably have a curve in the 20*s

> (currently about 33* - down by about 3* since starting casting) at the end

> of treatment.

>

> Not sure what to make of that.

>

> He doesn't have progressive scoliosis, so we are fortunate (the MRI scan

> showed no physical problems with the spinal cord etc which is great news)

> - but I thought self-resolving might resolve more than that.

>

> Anyone know anything about the effect of an angle like that in later life?

> Does it lead to back ache etc? I don't know whether I should be pushing

> for Mehta to get it straighter... It's not on offer locally and would be v

> v v v v hard to get.

>

> I came away from the casting this morning (his 5th cast since June - we

> have a different kind of cast to your ones and they're replaced every 2

> weeks) feeling tired with the treatment and all of this. I miss my squishy

> baby. I know it's for the best to treat his spine, and I wouldn't dream of

> not treating it, but I don't think anyone in our lives has any idea what

> impact it has to have hospital appointments every 2 weeks for casting, to

> have regular x-rays scheduled, to have to be careful that Johannes doesn't

> get wet or sandy and only use a flannel when he'd love a bath...

>

> Sorry - I'm feeling a bit tired and low today. It's a marathon and I need

> to keep going I guess.

>

> Just reaching out to you guys - you know that it's a bit of a marathon too

> :-)

>

>

> All the best

> Alison

[Guest guest]

Hi Alison! I would definitely find a doctor that will apply a Mehta-style cast

as soon as you can. They are replaced every 2-3 months, not every 2 weeks. And

they typically have much much better results than other casting styles or

bracing alone.

If Johannes has resolving scoliosis, it will usually resolve on its own with no

treatment. If he has progressive scoliosis, it will need some form of treatment

or it will continue to worsen over time as he grows. Bracing alone (or this

other type of cast) MAY hold the curve so it won't get worse, but it will not

cure it, as a Mehta cast will potentially do. Also, regarding your curve

measurement, please keep in mind that there is a variance of 5* either way. I

know that can complicate things, but it is a fact that you always have to keep

in mind.

I am not completely sure about this, but it seems to me that the higher degree

of curve going into puberty, the more it is likely to worsen as they go through

that fast-growth time. I would not take any chances! My goal for my daughter is

to avoid any type of surgery or metal rods in her. Casting is not enjoyable, but

the alternative of metal rods for the rest of her life opens all sorts of new

doors of problems.

If I were you, I would get Johannes into a Mehta cast as soon as possible and

get his curve down as close to 0 or at least 10. It's very possible!!!

~

Mom to , age 5, 3 Mehta casts in Michigan

Cobb 36 precast ~ Cobb 10 in cast #3 ~ holding at Cobb " 10-ish " in brace (since

August 2010)