Steffee
Well-Known Member
Hi Everyone,
My 8 year old grandson, Ryan, has been diagnosed with Idiopathic Juvenile Scoliosis. When first detected a year ago he and his brother (Kyle) had 20 degree curvatures so the treatment was wait and see. Kyle's stayed the same, but sweet Ryan's at his latest x-rays now shows after a 3 1/2 inches growth spurt has progressed to 30 degree curvature. The Neurological Surgeon is now recommending a body brace for 23 hours a day 7 days a week and until he stops growing (that would probably be 10 - 12 years from now). If the curvature was to progress to anything above 35 degrees or over the Surgeon would want to do spinal surgery and insert a rod in his spine to keep the spine straight. So that tells us from the neurology medical world there are only 3 treatments: (1) wait and see; (2) brace or (3) surgery. The brace has many side affects: muscle atrophy; breathing, heart and other organs affect by the compression of the brace; not to mention psychological issues wearing that darn brace with only one hour a day relief. It is also a known fact neither the brace or surgery totally correct the problem and it doesn't stop the curvature from occurring. It is estimated of the children diagnosed with Scoliosis 65% are Idiopathic Juvenile Scoliosis, in other words they don't know what causes it.
I was wondering if anyone has experienced with this problem and what treatment was used or has anyone been exposed to an alternative treatment? I just can't believe these stagnate age old treatments are all there is. If anybody can help this heart broken grandma I'd surely appreciate it!
My 8 year old grandson, Ryan, has been diagnosed with Idiopathic Juvenile Scoliosis. When first detected a year ago he and his brother (Kyle) had 20 degree curvatures so the treatment was wait and see. Kyle's stayed the same, but sweet Ryan's at his latest x-rays now shows after a 3 1/2 inches growth spurt has progressed to 30 degree curvature. The Neurological Surgeon is now recommending a body brace for 23 hours a day 7 days a week and until he stops growing (that would probably be 10 - 12 years from now). If the curvature was to progress to anything above 35 degrees or over the Surgeon would want to do spinal surgery and insert a rod in his spine to keep the spine straight. So that tells us from the neurology medical world there are only 3 treatments: (1) wait and see; (2) brace or (3) surgery. The brace has many side affects: muscle atrophy; breathing, heart and other organs affect by the compression of the brace; not to mention psychological issues wearing that darn brace with only one hour a day relief. It is also a known fact neither the brace or surgery totally correct the problem and it doesn't stop the curvature from occurring. It is estimated of the children diagnosed with Scoliosis 65% are Idiopathic Juvenile Scoliosis, in other words they don't know what causes it.
I was wondering if anyone has experienced with this problem and what treatment was used or has anyone been exposed to an alternative treatment? I just can't believe these stagnate age old treatments are all there is. If anybody can help this heart broken grandma I'd surely appreciate it!