Archive for scoliosis
Vertebral body tethering: Is it an option for my child?
For years, teens and tweens with idiopathic scoliosis had three treatment options: monitoring, bracing, or spinal fusion surgery. A new option emerged in 2019 when the Food and Drug Administration approved a treatment called vertebral body tethering (VBT). Compared to spinal fusion surgery, VBT offers quicker recovery times and the potential for greater spine mobility ... Read More
A new treatment option for Jeanne’s infantile scoliosis
If it hadn’t been for the pandemic, Jeanne McDaniel’s treatment for infantile scoliosis would have started when she was 11 months old. Instead, COVID-19 became the first in a series of events that delayed her treatment — and allowed her scoliosis to progress — for months. When her parents sought a second opinion at Boston ... Read More
A modified brace and a new treatment option for infantile scoliosis
While bracing is a common treatment for adolescents with moderate idiopathic scoliosis, infantile scoliosis is typically treated with casting. But putting an infant in a cast requires general anesthesia, which carries risks. And children must remain in their casts 24/7, for weeks or months at a stretch. Parents can only give them a full bath ... Read More
Beating the odds and infantile scoliosis: Colin’s story
Colin Newton has a way of surprising people. Born with a rare neuromuscular disorder, he spent the first three months of his life in the intensive care unit (ICU) struggling to breathe. Two and a half years later, and eight months after he underwent spinal surgery for infantile scoliosis, Colin went skiing for the first ... Read More
Generations of excellence in surgical care: Dr. Emans and Dr. Hogue
Some surgeons follow their patients for years, even decades. This is true of Dr. John Emans, who has treated patients with complex spine conditions at Boston Children’s Hospital for more than 40 years. Beloved by patients, he is also widely respected by spine surgeons for his groundbreaking scoliosis research. Dr. Grant Hogue first met Dr. ... Read More
Spinal fusion surgery during COVID-19
If things had gone according to plan, Jared Cohen would have had spinal fusion surgery during his April vacation. His mom, Sara, planned to homeschool him for the remainder of spring semester and he would have all summer to recover. By fall, he’d be more than ready to return to school. Then COVID-19 happened. In ... Read More
Foot deformity and amputation: Maria’s tough choice
Whenever she could, Maria Dupuis found a way to walk. She walked when she had to wear a cast from her chest to her ankles. She walked when the curve in her spine reached 94 degrees. When her right foot pointed up to the sky rather than straight ahead, she walked on her heel. Maria ... Read More
Congenital scoliosis: Maria’s story
Growing up in a big family helped. When Maria Dupuis came home from the hospital after surgery to correct her scoliosis, her sisters played Subway Surfer with her and her brothers braided her hair. Having so many siblings around to play with probably motivated her to get up and start walking sooner. And when other ... Read More
Scoliosis patients get a preview of spinal fusion surgery
“Patients are more at ease when they know what to expect,” says, Dr. Daniel Hedequist, chief of the Spine Division in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Hedequist performs dozens of spinal fusion surgeries each year to treat children with scoliosis. While the procedure is familiar ground for the surgical team at Boston Children’s Hospital, ... Read More
Scoliosis bracing: How to support your child
Bracing is a family affair. Every member of the family should be on the same page with regards to the number of hours the brace needs to be worn and how brace wear fits into the child’s schedule.