Re: Are there any exercises, stretches that help with infantile scoliosis?

April 9, 2008

I'm not a doctor by any means, but Noelle's docs have pretty much all agreed

that any kind of PT does not help the scoliosis itself in infants... It can

help with other muscular issues, like torticollis, etc. Has his RVAD been

measured and is there any rotation in the spine? 13 degrees is pretty low and I

know that Dr. said we would begin bracing Noelle once she was under 10

degrees, which he considers to medically insignificant. Has any doc suggested a

brace yet? Does he have any trouble with his motor skills or any discomfort?

You can also send a copy of his most recent x-ray to one of the Mehta-trained

docs for an evaluation.... They would call you with their suggestions. A lot

of us have sent docs our x-rays first because most of us don't live near these

very special doctors and they know that we travel quite a distance to see them.

Good luck!

valpoind wrote: My son was diagnosed at 3 yo.

We've been through the MRI and found out

it was idiopathic. It started at 11 degrees at stayed there for a year

and now the curve is at 13 degrees. I'm searching for any noninvasive

methods that could help him. He is now 5 years old. There is not a

scoliosis center in our area.

__________________________________________________

April 9, 2008

My dauhter has pysical therapy once a week & we have been told by two

othopedists that there is no proven excercises that will help improve the curve.

We continue the physical therapy for stretcing/strengthening. My daughters Mid

section was very week due to the positining in utero (bent backwards w/ stomach

protruding). We focus on strengthning the core mid section. I also think it

helps with my daughters rotation & balance, by duing physical therapy.

Any little bit helps i think.

Kauffunger wrote:

I'm not a doctor by any means, but Noelle's docs have pretty much all

agreed that any kind of PT does not help the scoliosis itself in infants... It

can help with other muscular issues, like torticollis, etc. Has his RVAD been

measured and is there any rotation in the spine? 13 degrees is pretty low and I

know that Dr. said we would begin bracing Noelle once she was under 10

degrees, which he considers to medically insignificant. Has any doc suggested a

brace yet? Does he have any trouble with his motor skills or any discomfort? You

can also send a copy of his most recent x-ray to one of the Mehta-trained docs

for an evaluation.... They would call you with their suggestions. A lot of us

have sent docs our x-rays first because most of us don't live near these very

special doctors and they know that we travel quite a distance to see them. Good

luck!

valpoind wrote: My son was diagnosed at 3 yo. We've been

through the MRI and found out

it was idiopathic. It started at 11 degrees at stayed there for a year

and now the curve is at 13 degrees. I'm searching for any noninvasive

methods that could help him. He is now 5 years old. There is not a

scoliosis center in our area.

__________________________________________________

April 11, 2008

Val,

I can totally relate to learning the new language and you will! The RVAD is

the measurement of the largest angle between the most displaced rib and vertebra

usually around the apex of the curve. If the Rvad is under 20, there is an 80%

chance the curve will resolve on its own. If it's above 20, usually the curve

will continue to worsen. How old is he now? Which docs do you see? If he is

older than 3, it is possible still to cast if he is on the younger side in some

cases. I'm not sure about the rules in regards to bracing and surgery in older

children, but surgery at 25 degrees seems a bit drastic to me.... My best

advice to every mother going through this is to send the most recent x-ray and

doc report you have to the nearest Mehta-trained doc to you. These docs are

well trained in casting, bracing, and surgical options to help you make the

best, most informed decision for your child. Where do you live? You'll get

through this! Steph

Val Koeppen wrote:

,

I was told that bracing would be considered at 15-20 degrees and surgery at 25

degrees. Initially, the dr thought that it was going to resolve as he maintained

at 11 for a while and then it changed. Can you tell me what RVAD is? I do not

think there is any rotation of the spine. He had a MRI and I was told that was

normal in terms of it being idipoathic vs some other cause. He does not have any

pain or discomfort. He did go through a time where he preferred to sleep on the

floor but this was more when he was 3. Thanks so much for your help. I feel like

I am learning a new language.

Re: Are there any exercises, stretches that help

with infantile scoliosis?

I'm not a doctor by any means, but Noelle's docs have pretty much all agreed

that any kind of PT does not help the scoliosis itself in infants... It can help

with other muscular issues, like torticollis, etc. Has his RVAD been measured

and is there any rotation in the spine? 13 degrees is pretty low and I know that

Dr. said we would begin bracing Noelle once she was under 10 degrees,

which he considers to medically insignificant. Has any doc suggested a brace

yet? Does he have any trouble with his motor skills or any discomfort? You can

also send a copy of his most recent x-ray to one of the Mehta-trained docs for

an evaluation.. .. They would call you with their suggestions. A lot of us have

sent docs our x-rays first because most of us don't live near these very special

doctors and they know that we travel quite a distance to see them. Good luck!

valpoind <valpoindyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: My son was diagnosed at 3 yo. We've been

through the MRI and found out

it was idiopathic. It started at 11 degrees at stayed there for a year

and now the curve is at 13 degrees. I'm searching for any noninvasive

methods that could help him. He is now 5 years old. There is not a

scoliosis center in our area.

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

April 17, 2008

Val,

Mail your x-rays from the post office in a padded envelope that you can buy in

Staples or Office Depot. Overnighting the x-rays cost me about $17 and 2 day

delivery cost me about $5..... I've mailed out twice now! There is no fee for

the docs to look at your x-ray and call you with their recommendations. I would

suggest calling the doc's office first to let them know that your x-rays are on

the way..... The doc that I would suggest that you mail to would be the one

that is closest to where you live and then one of us moms could tell you exactly

who to call and give you a mailing address. I have learned a lot about the

Mehta casting from Jane at Shriners in Erie, this group, her DVD and some of

the articles posted on ISOP..... In time, it will be like a second language to

you too!!!! Where are you from? I am from NJ and use Dr. in Rochester

NY. Let me know, Steph

Val Koeppen wrote:

,

How does the process of sending your x-rays to a Mehta-trained doctor work? Do

you mail them normal post office? Is there a fee for consultation to let you

know if they could help you? Where did you become so informed on the Mehta

method? Thanks for all of your help.