Re: New, few questions...

[Guest guest]

First off welcome tothe group. Where do you live? I would seek

another opinion from a Orthopedist that has been rained by Miss

Mehta. Ifthe doctor only casts every once in a whild the cast is

problytheold risser casts. The casting that most of the docs do is a

very gentle way to derotate and uncurve the spine. There is a special

casting table that has to be used to get the correction they need.

Depending on his size and the curve they could probly cast him, but I

would consult one of the Mehta trained docs. I know there are a few

older kids on the group that have been casted and I'm sure they will

chime in. Best of luck with your decision and keep us posted.

Rochelle mom to Devyn 2 and 1/2yrs Infantile Scoliosis, Chiari1

>

> Well, I guess I'm not completely new. I first posted some questions

> here about three-four years ago about my son, , who is now 6.5

> years old. He was diagnosed with infantile scoliosis at 2 years

old,

> he was braced at 3 years old when his curve (left thoracic) reached

> 21 degrees. The brace started out full time for about a year, then

> gradually weaned off of it about 7-8 months ago. His curve stayed

at

> 21 degrees for the over 2.5 years of brace wear, but just a few

> months out of the brace he increased a little to 24 degrees. He was

> put back in a brace for 12 hours each night, and now 4 months later

> the curve has increased to 28 degrees. We are now to increase the

> brace to 16-20 hours per day, with a recheck in 4 months. I asked

> him about casting, and he said he knows about it, and occasionally

> does it for noncompliant families. He did agree to cast him if the

> curve is any worse next time. I'm " kind of " ok with that, because I

> can't imagine him being casted in the summer (but of course I would

> if it would help him).

>

> Does anybody know how old is " too old " for casting to help? Or what

> the smallest curve these doctors feel needs casted? is pretty

> small for 6.5 years, at 38 pounds and 44-45 inches. We've also

> noticed that he's been tilting his head to right a lot, which I was

> told is his way of compensating and helping his balance.

>

> also has significant heart and lung issues, and has had 3

heart

> surgeries and one lung surgery. He has a feeding tube to help with

> his weight, although he eats quite well most days. He is very

> intolerant to heat, and is miserable wearing his brace more during

> the day, even with our AC blasting.

>

> Any thoughts, suggestions, experiences would be greatly

appreciated.

> Thanks,

>

>

[Guest guest]

, In this case, I would rely on the knowledge of a Mehta-trained doc who has a lot of experience with casting, bracing, and surgical options as well as complex issues. If you have read previous posts, Dr. D'Astous is excellent and you can send medical records and x-rays for a free evaluation prior to making a trip. Call his care coordinator first and then send the information.... I'm sure that he can point you in the right direction. Keep us posted, Steph tofpamom wrote: Well, I guess I'm not completely new. I first posted some questions here about three-four years ago about my son, , who is now 6.5 years old. He was diagnosed with infantile scoliosis at 2 years old, he was braced at 3 years old when his curve (left thoracic) reached 21 degrees. The brace started out full time for about a year, then gradually weaned off of it about 7-8 months ago. His curve stayed at 21 degrees for the over 2.5 years of brace wear, but just a few months out of the brace he increased a little to 24 degrees. He was put back in a brace for 12 hours each night, and now 4 months later the curve has increased to 28 degrees. We are now to increase the brace to 16-20 hours per day, with a recheck in 4 months. I asked him about casting, and he said he knows about it, and occasionally does it for noncompliant families. He did agree to cast him if the curve is any worse next time. I'm "kind

of" ok with that, because I can't imagine him being casted in the summer (but of course I would if it would help him). Does anybody know how old is "too old" for casting to help? Or what the smallest curve these doctors feel needs casted? is pretty small for 6.5 years, at 38 pounds and 44-45 inches. We've also noticed that he's been tilting his head to right a lot, which I was told is his way of compensating and helping his balance. also has significant heart and lung issues, and has had 3 heart surgeries and one lung surgery. He has a feeding tube to help with his weight, although he eats quite well most days. He is very intolerant to heat, and is miserable wearing his brace more during the day, even with our AC blasting. Any thoughts, suggestions, experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,