Scoliosis Update

An x-ray of Elisabeth's spine, taken yesterday. One word: yikes!

 As I have mentioned before, Elisabeth has neuromuscular scoliosis due to her cerebral palsy. Yesterday, she and I traveled to Spokane to meet with a new surgeon about her spinal issues. The x-ray showed a shocking sight: a near 75 degree curve! A year ago in March her spine was at 48 degrees...and I thought that was bad.

The question is what to do about it. The normal course of action with scoliosis this severe is to fuse the spine - but that isn't a possibility for a few more years; we need to wait for her lungs to finish developing.

So for now she will be fitted for a Wilmington brace. We aren't sure if she will tolerate it or not...but we at least have to give it a try. With the severity of Elisabeth's scoliosis and the rate at which her spine is curving, it can begin to threaten her vital organs.

That's the scoop! Pictures of her new brace as soon as it arrives!