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Which advice would you give to someone who has just been diagnosed with Scheuermanns disease?
See some advice from people with experience in Scheuermanns disease to people who have just been diagnosed with Scheuermanns disease
Do your research. Watch Youtube videos about the disease and treatments. Knowledge is power.
Posted Feb 28, 2017 by Mikeloveskorn 1720
My advise would be to get the proper MRI's and locate a surgeon that knows what this condition is and is confident in doin the procedure. I apologize upfront if my email is lengthy but I researched this for almost 18 months till I was sure surgery and the surgeon used was the best before I would put my son thru surgery.
My son was diagnosed with Scheuermanns almost 2 yrs ago at 14. I noticed what I thought was "poor posture" than saw him bend down one day and knew something was wrong. I got him right in for an xray and at that point he had a 77% curve and we experiencing some pain. His diagnosis was Scheuermann's and not one I knew had every heard of this. I started researching and calling orthopedists, surgeons anything I could do to find out about his disease. In the 18 mos to follow we saw three doctors, one which I was told was the leading ortho surgeon at Children's Hospital in Washington, DC. All of these doctors told me that they did not feel surgery was the best option and that they would not put their own child thru it. My son, who is now 16, disliked the way he looked, it effected his self esteem and eventually the pain increased. I continued to research and try to find a doctor who had a more positive outlook on the surgery. To make a very long story short last Nov I was put in touch with Dr. Paul Sponseller from John Hopkins in Baltimore, MD. He was very familiar with SD, the surgery and was very confident that he could help. He felt he could correct the curve and get it back to 30-40 degrees and that he was confident in the recovery.
My son had the surgery 3 weeks ago. What I found out while spending the week at Hopkins with my son is that people fly in from all over to have Dr. Sponseller operate on them or their kids who have SD. I highly recommend him and as of today my son is doing terrific. He has two titanium rods and about 21 screw in his back. He he stands 3 1/2 inches taller and is broader. My son's smile says it all. If you find the right doctor and your curve is causing you pain I would recommend having the surgery.
My son was diagnosed with Scheuermanns almost 2 yrs ago at 14. I noticed what I thought was "poor posture" than saw him bend down one day and knew something was wrong. I got him right in for an xray and at that point he had a 77% curve and we experiencing some pain. His diagnosis was Scheuermann's and not one I knew had every heard of this. I started researching and calling orthopedists, surgeons anything I could do to find out about his disease. In the 18 mos to follow we saw three doctors, one which I was told was the leading ortho surgeon at Children's Hospital in Washington, DC. All of these doctors told me that they did not feel surgery was the best option and that they would not put their own child thru it. My son, who is now 16, disliked the way he looked, it effected his self esteem and eventually the pain increased. I continued to research and try to find a doctor who had a more positive outlook on the surgery. To make a very long story short last Nov I was put in touch with Dr. Paul Sponseller from John Hopkins in Baltimore, MD. He was very familiar with SD, the surgery and was very confident that he could help. He felt he could correct the curve and get it back to 30-40 degrees and that he was confident in the recovery.
My son had the surgery 3 weeks ago. What I found out while spending the week at Hopkins with my son is that people fly in from all over to have Dr. Sponseller operate on them or their kids who have SD. I highly recommend him and as of today my son is doing terrific. He has two titanium rods and about 21 screw in his back. He he stands 3 1/2 inches taller and is broader. My son's smile says it all. If you find the right doctor and your curve is causing you pain I would recommend having the surgery.
Posted Jul 30, 2017 by Gayle 100
