It's a very good day.
One more brave, strong, sweet little girl has tackled the beast. "Tink' as she's affectionately called got the good news today. This trip will be her last cast and she will transition to a brace after that!!!!
Good news like this serves as a reminder of the light at the end of the tunnel. The hope we hold on to. Even though Makenna is in a brace now and no longer casts, I still need those reminders. The realization that we've come out the other side and will continue to do our best to beat the odds.
Good news like this serves as a re-affirmation. Yes, we did find and choose the right treatment for our child. Yes, this treatment does work. Yes, we will lead the way for those who follow.
Good news like this makes us so thankful that we found the treatment. That our windy, crazy road led us to exactly where we are today. In a brace, straighter than she started, with the tools, skills and support necessary to meet any unforseen turn that may lie ahead.
Good news like this makes you think word has to spread soon. It can't be long before casting is a first line of treatment for infantile scoliosis, can it? I hope not. Just out of curiousity I did a google search last night. Scholarly results for infantile scoliosis just since 2012. Just since 2012. One month. 10 published articles about or referring to infantile scoliosis. Of them, half speak about casting as the preferred treatment for infantile scoliosis. The other half, don't dismiss it - but the focus of the article isn't about treatment. The very first article is extremely intriguing to me:
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Three Solutions to a Single Problem: Alternative Casting Frames for Treating Infantile Idiopathic Scoliosis
Halanski, Matthew A. MD; Harper, Benjamin L. MD; Cassidy, Jeffry A. MD; Crawford, Haemish A. FRACS
Study Design: This is a technique article discussing 3 alternative frames for casting children with infantile scoliosis.
Objective: To provide surgeons with alternatives to expensive specialized casting tables to allow local treatment of these children utilizing readily available materials present at most institutions.
Summary of Background: Casting for infantile scoliosis has become more popular as reports have shown promising results with this technique without the morbidity and complications associated with more invasive procedures. However, without a specialized casting table, treating these patients has been limited to a few centers throughout the country often causing patients to travel large distances to receive care.
Methods: Three different alternatives to commercially available casting frames are presented. Requirements, setup, and techniques are discussed.
Results: Each surgeon has had success with each of these frames. These provide adequate support and traction while allowing enough access to the trunk to apply a well-molded cast.
Conclusions: Cotrel/Metha casting for infantile scoliosis can be accomplished without a specialized table using commonly available equipment.
(C) 2012 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
*******************************************************************
The full article has not been published yet, but I have requested a copy from the researchers. I look forward to reading what they've found.
Tink's success and this tide of research... it spells good things. I think there is a definite upswing in the works!!!
Victory is sweet:)
One more brave, strong, sweet little girl has tackled the beast. "Tink' as she's affectionately called got the good news today. This trip will be her last cast and she will transition to a brace after that!!!!
Good news like this serves as a reminder of the light at the end of the tunnel. The hope we hold on to. Even though Makenna is in a brace now and no longer casts, I still need those reminders. The realization that we've come out the other side and will continue to do our best to beat the odds.
Good news like this serves as a re-affirmation. Yes, we did find and choose the right treatment for our child. Yes, this treatment does work. Yes, we will lead the way for those who follow.
Good news like this makes us so thankful that we found the treatment. That our windy, crazy road led us to exactly where we are today. In a brace, straighter than she started, with the tools, skills and support necessary to meet any unforseen turn that may lie ahead.
Good news like this makes you think word has to spread soon. It can't be long before casting is a first line of treatment for infantile scoliosis, can it? I hope not. Just out of curiousity I did a google search last night. Scholarly results for infantile scoliosis just since 2012. Just since 2012. One month. 10 published articles about or referring to infantile scoliosis. Of them, half speak about casting as the preferred treatment for infantile scoliosis. The other half, don't dismiss it - but the focus of the article isn't about treatment. The very first article is extremely intriguing to me:
*************************************************************
Three Solutions to a Single Problem: Alternative Casting Frames for Treating Infantile Idiopathic Scoliosis
Halanski, Matthew A. MD; Harper, Benjamin L. MD; Cassidy, Jeffry A. MD; Crawford, Haemish A. FRACS
Study Design: This is a technique article discussing 3 alternative frames for casting children with infantile scoliosis.
Objective: To provide surgeons with alternatives to expensive specialized casting tables to allow local treatment of these children utilizing readily available materials present at most institutions.
Summary of Background: Casting for infantile scoliosis has become more popular as reports have shown promising results with this technique without the morbidity and complications associated with more invasive procedures. However, without a specialized casting table, treating these patients has been limited to a few centers throughout the country often causing patients to travel large distances to receive care.
Methods: Three different alternatives to commercially available casting frames are presented. Requirements, setup, and techniques are discussed.
Results: Each surgeon has had success with each of these frames. These provide adequate support and traction while allowing enough access to the trunk to apply a well-molded cast.
Conclusions: Cotrel/Metha casting for infantile scoliosis can be accomplished without a specialized table using commonly available equipment.
(C) 2012 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
*******************************************************************
The full article has not been published yet, but I have requested a copy from the researchers. I look forward to reading what they've found.
Tink's success and this tide of research... it spells good things. I think there is a definite upswing in the works!!!
Victory is sweet:)