Guest guest Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 No problem... anytime! Steph From: redrockerb212 <redrockerb212@ yahoo.com>Subject: [infantile_scoliosi s] Re: New to this groupTo: infantile_scoliosis @yahoogroups. comDate: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 9:06 PM Thank you to everyone who replied back. All this information is very helpful. After reading everyone's replies I did go on to read more information about Mehta Casting. This sounds very hopeful. When my wife gets home, I will show her all the information. She will be so grateful that so many of you were willing to take your time out to give us helpful advice! I have left a message for our ortho doc to talk to him about this and was told he won't be in until next week. We have a scheduled appointment in about a week and half anyway, so if I can't get a hold of him, then at the appointment I will bring all this information with me to show him. I don't know if the doctors at Walter Army Medical Center are trained in the Mehta Casting, but I'm going to find out. If they're not, then my wife and I will have to make a decision on what to do next. I agree with you Tasha, I don't think they should be putting the cast on without sedation either. My wife was upset about that. She asked them how they can hold the spine straight and correct during the casting process if she's screaming and wiggling. They claim that they don't sedate anyone for the casting process, and that they use a series of straps. My wife continued to argue and ask questions. She asked that we see what table was going to be used, but at the time they had patients in there and we were not able to see anything. The young lady was trying to help us and explain it to us, but because they had patients in there, it was too crowded and we couldn't see anything. When we go next week I'm sure we'll see what is going to be used. She will be getting a series of plaster casts to be changed every 6 weeks. Rochelle, I do remember my wife reading your son's story as well. I believe my wife showed me his picture and story. His cast came up over his shoulders, right? Our doctor explained that our daughter's would be under her armpits. Has anyone had that kind of cast? Shauna, thanks so much for all the info. You mentioned getting a 2nd opinion, and I think we may do that as well, if we find they are not practicing the Mehta Casting. My wife will be very pleased to hear all this information. And , thanks for all your helpful info as well. The more I read, the more I am starting to think they will be applying the Risser type of casting. So, we will definitely have to talk with the doctor at our appointment. Again, THANKS TO EVERYONE for all the information. I can't wait for my wife to get home so I can share all this wonderful information with her. >> Hi Jay,> > Welcome to CAST. It sounds like your baby may have a progressive case of> infantile scoliosis. Children grow the fastest their first 2 years of life> and the bent spine will keep pace with the childs growth rate, so its> essential that the Early Treatment casting process is done properly, so the> child can benefit from it. May I recommend that you go to the Files section> of CAST to download/read "Growth as a corrective force in the early> treatment of progressive infantile scoliosis," which will give you a> backround on this gentle, effective treatment. The Early Treatment Method> is new in the orthopaedic world, so its important that you your baby is seen> by someone experienced in this method. Its necessary for an infant to be> anesthetized, in order to apply a cast properly. If not the baby will be> scared, arms & legs flailing, and the surgeon will not be able to utilize> the casting frame effectively. Not to mention the traumatic effect on the> baby. The child sized, 3-dimensional casting frame is also a critical> component to applying a proper series of casts/plaster jackets. The Early> Treatment Process is supposed to be gentle, effective treatment..May I also> recommend that you view "A New Direction" DVD, which will help you to better> understand the principles behind the Early Treatment EDF (elongation,> derotation, flexion) Mehta Method. Please share all ET info with your> childs doc to confirm that the cast they would like to apply is not just to> maintain..Which is referred to as old fashioned Risser casting. The ET> Mehta Method (if done properly) has the ability to harness the childs rapid> rate of growth to train the young spine to grow straight, gently & > permanently. Sort of like braces on teeth. The child has a window of time to> benefit from this process, so lets provide you with as much info as> possible. Please read the article, view the dvd and let us know how we can> help. > > You're on the right track. Good on you for getting informed in order to> make the best care choices possible for your precious little girl.> > Sincerely,> > HRH> > > > > > > > > > [infantile_scoliosi s] New to this group> > > > Hi Everyone,> My name is Jay and I am new to this group. My wife signed us up on > here, and I've been reading some of the messages. We recently found > out that our 8 month old has idiopathic scoliosis. My wife actually > noticed it when our baby was 6 1/2 months old. We then went to our > clinic and they took x-rays and then sent us to Walter to see a > Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon. Please excuse me if I word this all > wrong, as my wife understands this information better than me-but our > daughter's first x-ray at 6 1/2 months showed a 33 degree-Cobb, and > we are unsure of the RVAD. Then they had an MRI done 3 weeks later in > the beginning of August. Her Cobb measurement went to a 40 degrees > and her RVAD is 54+ degrees. We have since seen the doctor and have > decided casting is the best option for her. She will receive her > first cast next week. We are a bit nervous. Does anyone know > approximately how long the casting procedure takes? They will not be > sedating her. Also, has anyone here had to have surgery even after > the series of casts was done? I ask because the doctor told us that > our daughter's looks progressive and that we need to keep in the back > of our minds that when she gets a little older that surgery may need > to be done. I just wondered how often infants that have casting end > up having surgery when they get a little older. Sorry for all the > questions... just a very concerned Dad. Also, if anyone has any > pointers on how to keep baby's skin from getting too irritated and > also on any pointers for keeping baby clean and cool, any info would > be welcomed. Thanks again!> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Some docs there are Mehta trained and I believe they have the correct table.... Rochester NY is another fantastic option (where we go).... We live in NJ.... Are you in the area? Steph From: redrockerb212 <redrockerb212@ yahoo.com>Subject: [infantile_scoliosi s] Re: New to this groupTo: infantile_scoliosis @yahoogroups. comDate: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 9:06 PM Thank you to everyone who replied back. All this information is very helpful. After reading everyone's replies I did go on to read more information about Mehta Casting. This sounds very hopeful. When my wife gets home, I will show her all the information. She will be so grateful that so many of you were willing to take your time out to give us helpful advice! I have left a message for our ortho doc to talk to him about this and was told he won't be in until next week. We have a scheduled appointment in about a week and half anyway, so if I can't get a hold of him, then at the appointment I will bring all this information with me to show him. I don't know if the doctors at Walter Army Medical Center are trained in the Mehta Casting, but I'm going to find out. If they're not, then my wife and I will have to make a decision on what to do next. I agree with you Tasha, I don't think they should be putting the cast on without sedation either. My wife was upset about that. She asked them how they can hold the spine straight and correct during the casting process if she's screaming and wiggling. They claim that they don't sedate anyone for the casting process, and that they use a series of straps. My wife continued to argue and ask questions. She asked that we see what table was going to be used, but at the time they had patients in there and we were not able to see anything. The young lady was trying to help us and explain it to us, but because they had patients in there, it was too crowded and we couldn't see anything. When we go next week I'm sure we'll see what is going to be used. She will be getting a series of plaster casts to be changed every 6 weeks. Rochelle, I do remember my wife reading your son's story as well. I believe my wife showed me his picture and story. His cast came up over his shoulders, right? Our doctor explained that our daughter's would be under her armpits. Has anyone had that kind of cast? Shauna, thanks so much for all the info. You mentioned getting a 2nd opinion, and I think we may do that as well, if we find they are not practicing the Mehta Casting. My wife will be very pleased to hear all this information. And , thanks for all your helpful info as well. The more I read, the more I am starting to think they will be applying the Risser type of casting. So, we will definitely have to talk with the doctor at our appointment. Again, THANKS TO EVERYONE for all the information. I can't wait for my wife to get home so I can share all this wonderful information with her. >> Hi Jay,> > Welcome to CAST. It sounds like your baby may have a progressive case of> infantile scoliosis. Children grow the fastest their first 2 years of life> and the bent spine will keep pace with the childs growth rate, so its> essential that the Early Treatment casting process is done properly, so the> child can benefit from it. May I recommend that you go to the Files section> of CAST to download/read "Growth as a corrective force in the early> treatment of progressive infantile scoliosis," which will give you a> backround on this gentle, effective treatment. The Early Treatment Method> is new in the orthopaedic world, so its important that you your baby is seen> by someone experienced in this method. Its necessary for an infant to be> anesthetized, in order to apply a cast properly. If not the baby will be> scared, arms & legs flailing, and the surgeon will not be able to utilize> the casting frame effectively. Not to mention the traumatic effect on the> baby. The child sized, 3-dimensional casting frame is also a critical> component to applying a proper series of casts/plaster jackets. The Early> Treatment Process is supposed to be gentle, effective treatment..May I also> recommend that you view "A New Direction" DVD, which will help you to better> understand the principles behind the Early Treatment EDF (elongation,> derotation, flexion) Mehta Method. Please share all ET info with your> childs doc to confirm that the cast they would like to apply is not just to> maintain..Which is referred to as old fashioned Risser casting. The ET> Mehta Method (if done properly) has the ability to harness the childs rapid> rate of growth to train the young spine to grow straight, gently & > permanently. Sort of like braces on teeth. The child has a window of time to> benefit from this process, so lets provide you with as much info as> possible. Please read the article, view the dvd and let us know how we can> help. > > You're on the right track. Good on you for getting informed in order to> make the best care choices possible for your precious little girl.> > Sincerely,> > HRH> > > > > > > > > > [infantile_scoliosi s] New to this group> > > > Hi Everyone,> My name is Jay and I am new to this group. My wife signed us up on > here, and I've been reading some of the messages. We recently found > out that our 8 month old has idiopathic scoliosis. My wife actually > noticed it when our baby was 6 1/2 months old. We then went to our > clinic and they took x-rays and then sent us to Walter to see a > Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon. Please excuse me if I word this all > wrong, as my wife understands this information better than me-but our > daughter's first x-ray at 6 1/2 months showed a 33 degree-Cobb, and > we are unsure of the RVAD. Then they had an MRI done 3 weeks later in > the beginning of August. Her Cobb measurement went to a 40 degrees > and her RVAD is 54+ degrees. We have since seen the doctor and have > decided casting is the best option for her. She will receive her > first cast next week. We are a bit nervous. Does anyone know > approximately how long the casting procedure takes? They will not be > sedating her. Also, has anyone here had to have surgery even after > the series of casts was done? I ask because the doctor told us that > our daughter's looks progressive and that we need to keep in the back > of our minds that when she gets a little older that surgery may need > to be done. I just wondered how often infants that have casting end > up having surgery when they get a little older. Sorry for all the > questions... just a very concerned Dad. Also, if anyone has any > pointers on how to keep baby's skin from getting too irritated and > also on any pointers for keeping baby clean and cool, any info would > be welcomed. Thanks again!> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Happy to help, Jay. It sometimes does take a few days to hear back from Shriners - but that's because of the volume of patients they see. Rest assured, though, when you go for your appt. they will spend all the time they need to with your child and you will not feel rushed. We continue to travel there from NY because we've been so pleased with the care our son has received. Please let me know once you hear back from them. Also, feel free to e-mail me if you like - mariaf305@... - if you want any more information (contact or otherwise!) about Shriners, Dr. Asghar, etc. I know a lot of folks whose kids are patients of his (not for casting, but mostly for VBS) and they all absolutely adore him. Best of luck to your family. > > > > > > Hi Jay, > > > > > > Welcome to CAST. It sounds like your baby may have a progressive > > case of > > > infantile scoliosis. Children grow the fastest their first 2 > years > > of life > > > and the bent spine will keep pace with the childs growth rate, > so > > its > > > essential that the Early Treatment casting process is done > > properly, so the > > > child can benefit from it. May I recommend that you go to the > > Files section > > > of CAST to download/read " Growth as a corrective force in the > early > > > treatment of progressive infantile scoliosis, " which will give > you a > > > backround on this gentle, effective treatment. The Early > Treatment > > Method > > > is new in the orthopaedic world, so its important that you your > > baby is seen > > > by someone experienced in this method. Its necessary for an > infant > > to be > > > anesthetized, in order to apply a cast properly. If not the baby > > will be > > > scared, arms & legs flailing, and the surgeon will not be able > to > > utilize > > > the casting frame effectively. Not to mention the traumatic > effect > > on the > > > baby. The child sized, 3-dimensional casting frame is also a > > critical > > > component to applying a proper series of casts/plaster jackets. > > The Early > > > Treatment Process is supposed to be gentle, effective > > treatment..May I also > > > recommend that you view " A New Direction " DVD, which will help > you > > to better > > > understand the principles behind the Early Treatment EDF > > (elongation, > > > derotation, flexion) Mehta Method. Please share all ET info with > > your > > > childs doc to confirm that the cast they would like to apply is > > not just to > > > maintain..Which is referred to as old fashioned Risser casting. > > The ET > > > Mehta Method (if done properly) has the ability to harness the > > childs rapid > > > rate of growth to train the young spine to grow straight, gently > & > > > permanently. Sort of like braces on teeth. The child has a > window > > of time to > > > benefit from this process, so lets provide you with as much info > as > > > possible. Please read the article, view the dvd and let us know > > how we can > > > help. > > > > > > You're on the right track. Good on you for getting informed in > > order to > > > make the best care choices possible for your precious little > girl. > > > > > > Sincerely, > > > > > > HRH > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [infantile_scoliosi s] New to this group > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Everyone, > > > My name is Jay and I am new to this group. My wife signed us up > on > > > here, and I've been reading some of the messages. We recently > found > > > out that our 8 month old has idiopathic scoliosis. My wife > actually > > > noticed it when our baby was 6 1/2 months old. We then went to > our > > > clinic and they took x-rays and then sent us to Walter to > see > > a > > > Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon. Please excuse me if I word this > all > > > wrong, as my wife understands this information better than me- > but > > our > > > daughter's first x-ray at 6 1/2 months showed a 33 degree-Cobb, > and > > > we are unsure of the RVAD. Then they had an MRI done 3 weeks > later > > in > > > the beginning of August. Her Cobb measurement went to a 40 > degrees > > > and her RVAD is 54+ degrees. We have since seen the doctor and > have > > > decided casting is the best option for her. She will receive her > > > first cast next week. We are a bit nervous. Does anyone know > > > approximately how long the casting procedure takes? They will > not > > be > > > sedating her. Also, has anyone here had to have surgery even > after > > > the series of casts was done? I ask because the doctor told us > that > > > our daughter's looks progressive and that we need to keep in the > > back > > > of our minds that when she gets a little older that surgery may > > need > > > to be done. I just wondered how often infants that have casting > end > > > up having surgery when they get a little older. Sorry for all > the > > > questions... just a very concerned Dad. Also, if anyone has > any > > > pointers on how to keep baby's skin from getting too irritated > and > > > also on any pointers for keeping baby clean and cool, any info > > would > > > be welcomed. Thanks again! > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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