Guest guest Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 Thanks for the update! Still praying and thinking of them lots. Rochelle > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> From: Hyatt <heather@infantiles c oliosis.org> > >> >> >> Subject: [infantile_scoliosi s] ET Defined > >> >> >> To: infantile_scoliosis @yahoogroups. com > >> >> >> Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 12:32 PM > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> Early Treatment Defined: > >> >> >> Facts gleaned from the article, ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Å " Growth as a > >> corrective > >> >> force in > >> >> >> the early treatment of progressive infantile > >> >> scoliosisÃÆ'¢â‚¬ï¿½ and > >> >> >> personal time spent with Dr. Min Mehta, > >> >> FRCS.ÃÆ'‚ ÃÆ'‚ ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> Why materials, proper windows, and the correct frame are > >> >> non-negotiable > >> >> >> in the treatment of progressive infantile scoliosis.ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> Why act Early? > >> >> >> First and foremost Early Treatment with serial corrective plaster > >> >> >> jackets is simply a preventive treatment that is provided as soon > >> as > >> >> an > >> >> >> infants curve is considered progressive.ÃÆ'‚ We now know that > >> >> the > >> >> >> infants curve will keep pace at the rate in which the child is > >> >> growing, > >> >> >> and that is very fast the first two years of life.ÃÆ'‚ If the > >> >> child is > >> >> >> diagnosed with progressive infantile scoliosis under 2 years of > >> age, > >> >> and > >> >> >> treated with a series of specialized plaster jackets, the jackets > >> >> have > >> >> >> the ability to harness that vigorous rate of growth and train the > >> >> young > >> >> >> spine to grow straight gently, and permanently.ÃÆ'‚ ÃÆ'‚ > >> The > >> >> time it > >> >> >> takes for the curve to grow into the corrected position is about > >> >> equal > >> >> >> to the time from initial curve detection, to its first proper > >> >> corrective > >> >> >> treatment by POP jackets. > >> >> >> Parents are most often the first to detect their > >> >> childÃÆ'¢â‚¬â„¢s > >> >> >> scoliosis.ÃÆ'‚ Medical professionals typically advise parents > >> to > >> >> wait > >> >> >> 3-6 months to determine whether or not the scoliosis will > >> >> progress.ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> However, there is a measuring technique that will help determine > >> if > >> >> the > >> >> >> scoliosis is of the progressive nature, or self - > >> resolving.ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> The > >> >> >> RVAD (Rib Vertebral Angle Degree) can be measured with a pencil > >> and > >> >> >> ruler, and will be able to give the surgeon an indication of what > >> >> type > >> >> >> of curve is present.ÃÆ'‚ There is a window of time that > >> children > >> >> benefit > >> >> >> from Early Treatment.ÃÆ'‚ ÃÆ'‚ ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Å " The earlier > >> >> treatment is begun, the > >> >> >> greater will be the chance of success.ÃÆ'¢â‚¬ï¿½ÃÆ'‚ > >> Time > >> >> is critical for > >> >> >> maximum correction and/or resolution of infantile > >> scoliosis.ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> Why Plaster?ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Å " Plaster-of- ParisÃÆ'¢â‚¬ï¿½ (POP) is the most > >> >> comfortable and > >> >> >> effective material in the application of jackets.ÃÆ'‚ Plaster > >> of > >> >> Paris > >> >> >> is easier to mold to the childÃÆ'¢â‚¬â„¢s unique body > >> shape > >> >> than newer > >> >> >> synthetic materials.ÃÆ'‚ The surgeons applying the jackets > >> only > >> >> have a > >> >> >> certain amount of time to mold the jacket properly to the > >> >> childÃÆ'¢â‚¬â„¢s > >> >> >> torso, and since plaster doesnÃÆ'¢â‚¬â„¢t dry as fast as > >> >> fiberglass, it > >> >> >> allows them the time required to apply the best jacket > >> >> possible.ÃÆ'‚ ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> Other synthetic materials may not give the surgeons the time they > >> >> >> need.ÃÆ'‚ Not to mention, overall comfort for the child, and > >> >> time spent > >> >> >> under anesthesia.ÃÆ'‚ Fiberglass is a very rigid material > >> that > >> >> dries > >> >> >> fast and does not breathe with the childÃÆ'¢â‚¬â„¢s body > >> at > >> >> all.ÃÆ'‚ ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> Why Windows?ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> Properly placed windows are crucial in the proper application of > >> >> plaster > >> >> >> jackets.ÃÆ'‚ Each childÃÆ'¢â‚¬â„¢s curve(s) is > >> >> individual and unique.ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> Consequently, the windows in the jacket must address the > >> >> childÃÆ'¢â‚¬â„¢s > >> >> >> specific needs.ÃÆ'‚ Dr. Mehta has found that a large mushroom > >> >> shape > >> >> >> window in the front will give the child a lot of breathing room, > >> >> while > >> >> >> also providing rib flaps to support the rib cage.ÃÆ'‚ We call > >> >> this a > >> >> >> chest expansion window.ÃÆ'‚ The window in the back should > >> start > >> >> at the > >> >> >> midline, and should be placed on the concavity side of the > >> >> curve.ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> This window allows the flattened ribs on the concave side of the > >> >> curve > >> >> >> to grow out, and the prominent ribs on the convex side to grow > >> >> flat.ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> This cut out will also be unique to your child, because every > >> curve > >> >> is > >> >> >> different.ÃÆ'‚ This window will not only help to improve over > >> >> all body > >> >> >> shape, but will also address rotation.ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> With over 30 years of research and treatment, Dr. Mehta has found > >> >> that > >> >> >> these windows are absolutely essential in preventing chest wall > >> >> >> deformities and that they allow ample room for normal > >> >> breathing.ÃÆ'‚ In > >> >> >> fact, proper lung growth is the primary reason for treating > >> scoliosis > >> >> >> other than cosmetic deformity.ÃÆ'‚ ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> Why use the correct frame? > >> >> >> Scoliosis occurs three dimensionally.ÃÆ'‚ The spine not only > >> >> curves, but > >> >> >> will eventually rotate also.ÃÆ'‚ A proper frame should be > >> child > >> >> size > >> >> >> appropriate, and incorporate a series of devices and mechanisms > >> that > >> >> >> facilitate controlled traction and assist the surgeon with > >> derotation > >> >> >> and lateral pressure of the spine while a POP jacket is being > >> >> >> applied.ÃÆ'‚ The frame is essential to this process because > >> it > >> >> assists > >> >> >> the surgeon in obtaining gentle correction. A great example of > >> this > >> >> is > >> >> >> how the childÃÆ'¢â‚¬â„¢s spine loosens up while on the > >> frame > >> >> during jacket > >> >> >> application preparation.ÃÆ'‚ While the team is preparing to > >> >> assist the > >> >> >> surgeon the child is on the frame and you can clearly see the > >> spine > >> >> >> become straighter.ÃÆ'‚ By the time the surgeon is ready to > >> apply > >> >> the > >> >> >> plaster, the spine has had time to loosen a little via traction, > >> and > >> >> >> derotation.ÃÆ'‚ ÃÆ'‚ This > >> >> ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Å " looseningÃÆ'¢â‚¬ï¿½ of the curve(s) helps > >> >> >> the surgeon tremendously in overall gentle correction on > >> >> > all three planes.ÃÆ'‚ These are > >> >> >> critical components in the Early Treatment Method of addressing > >> >> >> progressive infantile scoliosis. > >> >> >> ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> Over the Shoulder ÃÆ'¢â‚¬ " vs- Under the Arm Jacket? > >> >> >> This depends on the childÃÆ'¢â‚¬â„¢s individual > >> presentation > >> >> of > >> >> >> scoliosis.ÃÆ'‚ My understanding of this is that the over the > >> >> shoulder > >> >> >> type of jacket provides extra support to the spine and the jacket, > >> >> >> itself.ÃÆ'‚ Over time, plaster jackets loosen up and if the > >> >> jacket is an > >> >> >> under arm style, the jacket will begin to ride up under the arms > >> and > >> >> is > >> >> >> no longer supportive.ÃÆ'‚ To prevent this from happening, > >> >> surgeons using > >> >> >> the under arm jackets must apply them tighter around the chest > >> >> cavity, > >> >> >> and in some cases must tightly reinforce the top section of the > >> >> jacket > >> >> >> with an extra roll of plaster in effort to prevent the jacket from > >> >> >> eventually riding up and loosing all support.ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> The over the shoulder type of jacket has shoulder straps, which > >> help > >> >> >> prevent the jacket from riding up.ÃÆ'‚ The surgeon > >> >> doesnÃÆ'¢â‚¬â„¢t have > >> >> >> to reinforce the jacket tighter around the chest or use extra > >> >> plaster, > >> >> >> because the shoulder straps assist in holding the jacket down > >> through > >> >> >> the life of the jacket.ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> ChildrenÃÆ'¢â‚¬â„¢s bones are soft, so less pressure > >> around > >> >> the chest > >> >> >> cavity is best.ÃÆ'‚ There are many factors that contribute to > >> >> chest wall > >> >> >> deformities.ÃÆ'‚ The length of time your child wears the > >> jacket, > >> >> the > >> >> >> location of the childÃÆ'¢â‚¬â„¢s curve(s), the proper > >> >> application of the > >> >> >> jacket, and the equipment used to apply the jacket should all be > >> >> taken > >> >> >> into account.ÃÆ'‚ A surgeon that has been trained to use the > >> >> Early > >> >> >> Treatment Method developed by Dr. Mehta will know what type of > >> jacket > >> >> is > >> >> >> best for your child.ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> Why go to a trained Dr.? > >> >> >> If the treatment of progressive infantile scoliosis were > >> non-specific > >> >> >> there would not be the prevalence of cases nor the need for > >> >> >> organizations like ISOP.ÃÆ'‚ Again, if progressive infantile > >> >> scoliosis > >> >> >> was so non-specific, any cast technician with basic skills could > >> >> apply > >> >> >> any kind of cast and get consistent results without detrimental > >> side > >> >> >> effects.ÃÆ'‚ We know, and must remember, that the early > >> >> treatment of > >> >> >> infantile scoliosis is very specific to the individual > >> >> child.ÃÆ'‚ As > >> >> >> Miss Mehta would say, ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Å " Treat the child, not the > >> >> x-ray.ÃÆ'¢â‚¬ï¿½ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> There are many individual factors which define each > >> >> childÃÆ'¢â‚¬â„¢s own > >> >> >> presentation of scoliosis.ÃÆ'‚ Dr. Mehta has devoted over 30 > >> >> years of > >> >> >> her medical career to the development and perfection of the Early > >> >> >> Treatment Method.ÃÆ'‚ Her findings are not based on one child > >> or > >> >> even a > >> >> >> handful of children.ÃÆ'‚ The Early Treatment Method is > >> >> substantiated by > >> >> >> over 136 cases, of differing scoliosis presentations, whose > >> >> > treatment was documented over > >> >> >> several years.ÃÆ'‚ These cases highlight the consistent and > >> >> lasting > >> >> >> results gained through the Early Treatment Method.ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> Conclusion > >> >> >> In the last few years I have been able to witness at least 25 POP > >> >> jacket > >> >> >> applications by Dr. Mehta.ÃÆ'‚ On each occasion I learn > >> >> something new, > >> >> >> and these experiences have been invaluable to me in understanding > >> >> that > >> >> >> there is a very specific formula to applying serial corrective > >> >> plaster > >> >> >> jackets early and properly to our young > >> children.ÃÆ'‚ ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> My goal in > >> >> >> sharing what I have learned is to help you make the best decisions > >> >> >> possible for your child.ÃÆ'‚ Early Treatment is still very > >> new > >> >> in the > >> >> >> orthopaedic world and ALL of us familiar with it, are on a > >> learning > >> >> >> curve.ÃÆ'‚ Please take this into account when pursuing this > >> >> option for > >> >> >> your child.ÃÆ'‚ Children have a short window of rapid growth > >> in > >> >> which to > >> >> >> benefit from Early Treatment.ÃÆ'‚ The best plan is to have > >> the > >> >> jacket > >> >> >> applied properly, so the window of time for your child to benefit > >> is > >> >> not > >> >> >> lost.ÃÆ'‚ ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> ÃÆ'‚ > >> >> >> > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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