Scoliosis: Life, Support & Friends

Spine Health released a new study to examine the Curvature of the Spine , Neuromuscular Disorders and Lung Function By: Chris Maynard Online Content Manager, Spine-health Nov 24, 2009 (Spine-Health) -- Patients with neuromuscular disorders had diminished respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function compared with a healthy control group, according to a new study also examining how scoliosis affects lung function. As detailed in a recent edition of The Spine Journal , neuromuscular disorders are known to lead to lung volume loss and respiratory muscle weakness, but the effects of scoliosis on lung function are unknown, a point that served as a basis of this study. For some context, neuromuscular disorders occur when the neurons, or nerve cells that send messages that control voluntary muscles like the arms and legs, become unhealthy and die. As a result of this breakdown in communication between the nervous system and muscles, the muscles weaken, possibly leading to a w...

So I had my half-yearly back check up at the hospital on Tuesday the 24th. Here's a quick report: X-RAYS Bone development: My hand was x-rayed. It revealed that I only had a small amount of growth left. Yay!:D SPINAL: My current curves are both 18 - 19 degrees, same as last time. They aren't progressing. ORTHOPEDIC: My doctor looked at the wounds on my back and saw the x-rays. He concluded that I only needed to wear my brace 18 hours a day from now on! He told me that 6 hours wouldn't make much of a difference, seeing as I only have a small amount of growth left and the brace wouldn't be able to fix a huge amount. ORTHOTIC: My orthotist looked at the scars and told me to wear my brace looser. He put padding in the lower side as well. He advised me to wear my brace to school, as it involves sitting down, which is the worst of the three postures. He said the best time not to wear it is when I'm asleep. Best news: the orthotist said next time I come in March, I probab...

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — Device-maker Medtronic Inc. has partnered with an imaging software firm to introduce a service that provides three-dimensional images of veins, which the company says will help surgeons treat aortic aneurysms. Author: Brandon Glenn Medtronic says the service will help surgeons better visualize the inside of a patient’s vein before an operation and better view an implanted stent graft after the operation. The service, called 3D Recon, converts two-dimensional computed tomography images to three-dimensional images and removes bone and anatomy from the images, according to a statement from Medtronic. An aortic aneurysm is a weakened and bulging area in the body’s largest blood vessel, a condition that can cause life-threatening bleeding. The service has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, thanks to a 510(k) granted to Vital Images, a Minnetonka, Minnesota-based visualization software firm that partnered with Medtronic. A Medtronic spokesman...

Three to five of every 1,000 children develop spinal curves serious enough to warrant medical attention. And yet, in general terms, the cause of these curves – known as “scoliosis” – remains unknown, and the effectiveness of the most common treatment is in question. Researchers at Shriners Hospitals for Children are working hard to discover answers to these questions, and to improve the quality of care and quality of life for children with scoliosis, a curvature of the spine greater than 10 degrees, which makes the spine look more like an “S” or a “C” than a straight line when viewed on an X-ray. Once scoliosis has been diagnosed, the primary concern is whether the curve will progress, and treatment is aimed at stopping that progression. While scoliosis can occur at any age, the most common type, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), affects 2 to 4 percent of children between the ages of 10 and 16, particularly girls. Treatment options include observation for small curves, bracing in ...

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), today announced the launch of the TSRH ® 3Dx ™ Spinal System. Designed with procedural efficiency in mind, the TSRH 3Dx Spinal System offers two screws designed to address multiple pathologies. The Multi Planar Adjusting (MPA ® ) Screw option provides surgeons a variable angle posted screw for targeted, controlled correction maneuvers. The OSTEOGRIP ® Screw enhances bone fixation by incorporating a dual-lead thread pattern that reduces toggle at the bone-screw interface. Building on more than 20 years of clinical success, this next generation pedicle screw system includes competitive differentiating technology for addressing multiple spinal pathologies, from degenerative disc disease to spinal deformity. The system also offers CHROMALOY™ rods and a minimally invasive capability. “The TSRH 3Dx Spinal System allows me to better match solutions to specific patient needs,” said Dr. Brett Scott. “It gives me confidence by marrying new technologies with a long cl...

Author: Matt Cooper I spotted this article on a golf website and as I knew about Stacy Lewis having Scoliosis I decide to re-print some of the article here to share with our members. Well, it took longer than expected but we all knew it had to happen sooner or later. The weight of expectancy was huge but one sensed it was coming. Welcomed by sponsors, officials and even fellow players. Much anticipated and greeted with scenes of drama and relief. Yes - finally an American has won again on the LPGA. One player excited about the tour's first visit to Houston in 20 years is Stacy Lewis, a Houston resident who has played at the nearby Woodlands all of her career. Lewis' golfing journey has been an extraordinary one - she started playing the game aged eight, quickly gained a reputation as a great talent, was diagnosed with scoliosis (curvature of the spine), wore a brace for six years, then had surgery, became the number ranked amateur in the US and then finished third in the 2008 U...

Hi everyone! It's been a long time since I've signed in, this is because I lost my password and my account stopped working. Here's an update on my scoli! Curves Top: 19 degrees Bottom: 16 degrees My half yearly check-up is in exactly a week! For the first time I am going to get an x-ray of my hand to see how much more bone development I have left. It's estimated I'll be done with my brace early 2011. Recently, I had had the WORST brace scars ever. My hips are red and hurt when I sit too long. the low side of my brace is digging into my ribs and now I have a terrible rash there. It's so embarassing. any advice? I'm going to the doctors tomorrow.