Re: Cast off... Question about braces

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

If I had to guess, I'd say you go to SLC! Sounds like our doc there.

Our son, Noah, received his 1st cast Sept 06 and was exclusively casted until May 08. At that point our doc allowed us a 'cast break' for the summer. Noah was fitted into a TLSO brace and wore it for the summer. In the fall we went back to casting. I thought it would be hard for him, but no sweat, everything was fine. He then had 2 more casts and went for another 'cast break' summer 09. He holds very well in the brace and we've actually got correction in the brace (crazy, I know). His doc has since fit him in another brace, 2nd in a row, and more correction. (yeah) We go back 1st week in Feb for another brace. He has told us that as long as Noah can hold, he will continue to brace him, but if it slips we will revert to casting.

If it is SLC you go to and he thinks it is an option, I would go with it. Love those guys and would trust them completely.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

Noah 4yrs 5 mo 9 casts 3 braces 80 degrees to 17 degrees in brace SLC

Subject: Cast off... Question about bracesTo: infantile_scoliosis Date: Thursday, December 17, 2009, 8:42 AM

Hi all,Liam's cast is off for the day. The new one is being put on tomorrow first thing (8AM). No X-Rays but his back looks SO MUCH better, the ribs are not sticking out so much. You can still see it of course, but less. Dr. keeps telling me there is no point to do an X-Ray out of cast, if it's not going to change the treatment at this point (this is the second cast only). I agree, I just want to know. He mentioned he is part of a research group about Early Onset Scoliosis (great!) and they are thinking about working agressively with casting during the winter months and giving a break during the summer, and keeping children in a brace. That SCARES me, but I know some doctors do that. First, what do you think about the break (in a brace of course)?What kind of brace have your doctors used for that? I know I'm going way ahead of things here, but you all know we have to get ahead of the doctors sometimes

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[Guest guest]

Joan,

I think that will be the main question: how he is responding and how his back is at that point. We will have to see. I think that is the key. You are right.

The only thing that is making me think about it is that Liam has had trouble learning to move (we don't know why - he is almost walking, but can't get up on his own). We just saw the PT today and she says he needs to get his core stronger but with the cast is harder, she has to find other ways. So maybe, with the cast off for a couple of months or so, we can get the back muscles stronger and that might help with the scoliosis too. Just a thought.

Thank you... I'll post as soon as I can tomorrow, although we might not get a number right away.

To: infantile_scoliosis Sent: Thu, December 17, 2009 11:31:07 AMSubject: Re: Cast off... Question about braces

It sounds like you have a great Dr and he knows what he is doing. I think there are several people on here that have Docs that give breaks from the cast, and I am sure they will chime in. I think if Liam is responding so well to casting and his curve is fairly low when summer comes, I would DO IT in a heartbeat. I am sure they will monitor him throughout the summer to make sure he isn't progressing again. I do not know Dr Mehta's take on this. Maybe you should talk to and get her advice.

Sounds like all good news so far. Let us know how tomorrow goes. Thinking of you guys.

Love, Joanmom to Hayden 32nd CastTreated at ish Rite Hospital Dallas, TX

From: Portas <ppdh72yahoo (DOT) com>To: infantile_scoliosis @yahoogroups. comSent: Thu, December 17, 2009 9:42:24 AMSubject: [infantile_scoliosi s] Cast off... Question about braces

Hi all,Liam's cast is off for the day. The new one is being put on tomorrow first thing (8AM). No X-Rays but his back looks SO MUCH better, the ribs are not sticking out so much. You can still see it of course, but less. Dr. keeps telling me there is no point to do an X-Ray out of cast, if it's not going to change the treatment at this point (this is the second cast only). I agree, I just want to know. He mentioned he is part of a research group about Early Onset Scoliosis (great!) and they are thinking about working agressively with casting during the winter months and giving a break during the summer, and keeping children in a brace. That SCARES me, but I know some doctors do that. First, what do you think about the break (in a brace of course)?What kind of brace have your doctors used for that? I know I'm going way ahead of things here, but you all know we have to get ahead of the doctors sometimes

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[Guest guest]

Thank you, Jane!

Yes, that is making me think. I know the brace will hold (best case) but also, we could do some PT during that time. I think the brace could be more unconfortable than the cast, because it's not molded to the body and it probably moves more.

I'm in Canada and we don't get many hot days, but the few we get are really hot :-)

Thank you for telling me about your experience, we will see how his back is at that time. Hopefully better.

To: infantile_scoliosis Sent: Thu, December 17, 2009 1:30:58 PMSubject: Re: Cast off... Question about braces

I haven't had to live though a summer yet with Grace in a cast. We did live through a summer in a brace.

One problem with a brace is you aren't likely to get any correction. It will just lengthen your overall time. Also, I believe bracing is harder on the parent. You have to convince your child everyday, sometimes more than once a day to let you put it back on them (and fight them to keep it on if they are able to take it off themselves). I had more melt downs about this process than about anything else in this procedure.

I agree with others. I believe a cast overall is much easier to live with.

That said, I live somewhere where we only have a few very hot (90 or above) days in Portland, so the heat factor I don't think will really come into play in our thoughts of "taking the summer off" and since I don't personally think a cast is hotter than the brace. But, it would be nice for her to be able to do typical summery activites (sprinklers, pools, beach, etc.). But...I figure, if we stick to this for the short-term and get through it, we'll have many happy, healthy summers to do those things in the future.

Hope this helps in some way.

Jane

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[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I don't go to SLC but that is funny :-)

May I ask how big was your son's curve when he went into a brace the first time (May 08)?

I can see your son has got a GREAT correction! I'm sure it's been a lot of work. Did you get a good correction right away and then slowed down or did it go slow all the way?

Thank you and sorry for the questions.

To: infantile_scoliosis Sent: Thu, December 17, 2009 3:03:59 PMSubject: Re: Cast off... Question about braces

Hi ,

If I had to guess, I'd say you go to SLC! Sounds like our doc there.

Our son, Noah, received his 1st cast Sept 06 and was exclusively casted until May 08. At that point our doc allowed us a 'cast break' for the summer. Noah was fitted into a TLSO brace and wore it for the summer. In the fall we went back to casting. I thought it would be hard for him, but no sweat, everything was fine. He then had 2 more casts and went for another 'cast break' summer 09. He holds very well in the brace and we've actually got correction in the brace (crazy, I know). His doc has since fit him in another brace, 2nd in a row, and more correction. (yeah) We go back 1st week in Feb for another brace. He has told us that as long as Noah can hold, he will continue to brace him, but if it slips we will revert to casting.

If it is SLC you go to and he thinks it is an option, I would go with it. Love those guys and would trust them completely.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

Noah 4yrs 5 mo 9 casts 3 braces 80 degrees to 17 degrees in brace SLC

From: Portas <ppdh72yahoo (DOT) com>Subject: [infantile_scoliosi s] Cast off... Question about bracesTo: infantile_scoliosis @yahoogroups. comDate: Thursday, December 17, 2009, 8:42 AM

Hi all,Liam's cast is off for the day. The new one is being put on tomorrow first thing (8AM). No X-Rays but his back looks SO MUCH better, the ribs are not sticking out so much. You can still see it of course, but less. Dr. keeps telling me there is no point to do an X-Ray out of cast, if it's not going to change the treatment at this point (this is the second cast only). I agree, I just want to know. He mentioned he is part of a research group about Early Onset Scoliosis (great!) and they are thinking about working agressively with casting during the winter months and giving a break during the summer, and keeping children in a brace. That SCARES me, but I know some doctors do that. First, what do you think about the break (in a brace of course)?What kind of brace have your doctors used for that? I know I'm going way ahead of things here, but you all know we have to get ahead of the doctors sometimes

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