Scoliosis Support Group

I don't really know much about casting but I could share my experience with scoliosis with you. I was diagnosed at 13 and my curves progressed to 65 and 37 degrees. I tried bracing for 2 years but all it did was make the curve worse because the muscles around the spine get weaker from relying on the brace for support. I know it sounds scary but maybe you should consider surgery! I just had surgery last September and feel so much better! I wish I would've done it 10 years ago when I first found out!! My doctors told me that scoliosis increases at least a degree a year and it would be better for your son to get surgery now to have a better chance at normal development. Especially since it has already increased so much in 2 months. If you don't do it now you will probably have to do it at some point or another. The sooner the better because it will prevent him from having his spine compress on his ribs, which then affects the lungs and other organs. It also would help him with having an easier time walking, attaining the height he is supposed to, do better in school, etc. I was only 5'6" and after surgery I got 2 inches taller, laying down I am 5'9". So I am still an inch shorter than I should be, that is how much scoliosis has affected me!! Well, let me know if I can help in any way with answering any questions or anything else. Best of luck!

I've heard a bunch of mixed things about surgery with little kids I'm not sure but I heard it can stunt your growth. I don't think bracing would really help him because of the rate it changing at. I've all ready noticed that he cannot do alot of thing that babies his age can do. I'll have to see what the doc says when I get to go in and see him. He has a 8 month waiting list so it won't be for a bit. Uuhhggg

What??? 8 months? Where abouts do you live? I don't know of any orthopedic doctors that have an 8 month waiting list! Maybe you should look for a different doctor because 8 months waiting could severely affect your sons development. Just sayin....

I am located in vancouver BC. I have been see an orthopedic doctor but she has now refered me to a spine specilist at childrens hospital and they have the waiting list. I was worried that it was going to take so long to see them so I'm going to have to look for another doc and get a second opinion. The orthopedic doctor keeps telling me there is nothing they can do while he's so young, I don't know if that's true or not.

Hi Candice, I would think the casting would make the muscles even more weak. We are finding that almost all kids that have scoliosis have some type of ligament damage in the neck. The alar ligaments which help to keep the head balanced on the spine. It is something that can be checked by xray. Treatment then is addressing the cervical spine. Though it may be quite tricky with such a young child it is a a non surgical possiblity..

Serial Casting (aka Min Mehta's method) can completely correct an infant's idiopathic curve if you catch it when they are young enough. This is because infants have very soft bones, and together with their rapid infantile growth spurts, a cast can "mould" their spine straight again.

Congenital scoliosis cannot usually be cured in the same way, but casts can help stop their curves from progressing.

Please take a look at http://www.infantilescoliosis.org/ for more info - time is of great importance here! Oh, and please don't worry about the casts making the muscles weak. The children who have been through casting and have come out cured haven't had any problems regarding this :-)

I totally concur with cornovia's advice. I wish you were here in the states in Iowa at the U of I Hospitals and clinics we have a great track record with casting infants treating scoliosis.
He is not a surgical canidate at his age, he has way to much growing to do, it would mean repeating surgical procedure's as he grows, I can't imagine any Dr thinking that was a good plan.
I hope you can find some way to get him seen sooner.
Good luck, and I will be thinking of you and your little guy and sending you positive thoughts, prayers, and energy your way!