I Need Some Comfort Please

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My 14 month old got sick and I took her to the ER. To R/O pneumonia, they did CXR...lungs were good, but WOW! You could see a mile away on those films that she has significant deformities in her spine and ribs. Now that she's starting to walk, you can really see it in her gait, how she kind of is bent sideways and one shoulder is higher than the other.

Poor little thing is so cute though, she has no idea and waddles along all lopsided, still happy as a clam in mud!

Anyhow the DX is hemivertebrae and fused ribs on one side, with missing ribs on the other. It's unclear the exact course of treatment, but surgery at some point is a sure thing. The question is, will they try to fix her back now, as a baby, or will they kleep trying to fix it every few years as she grows, or what? I just don't have any answers right now. Not because anyone is laying down on the job, but just because she has not yet seen the pediatric orthopedist. As soon as Tricare gives the referral, I hope to know more.

Anyone familiar with this type of problem?

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Specializes in Registry, all over the place.

"Poor little thing is so cute though, she has no idea and waddles along all lopsided, still happy as a clam in mud!"

This made me smile, how precious your little girl must be! I don't know anything, but I will say a prayer for your little girl that the docs. will find the best possible solution to allow her to grow up without missing a beat!

God Bless Meerkat and Lil Meerkat

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Im a pre nursing student so I dont have any advice, but I will say a prayer for your daughter. On ABC, on Monday night they had a show on called Miraical Workers and in it they had a 4 year old with major deformaties in his spine and ribs, his body was slumped to one side. The doctors put titanium rods between his ribs and on his spine to straighten him out.

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Thanks for your sweet posts!

Ivana, yes I think that is what we are leaning toward, either harrington rods or fusing her vertebra.

Thanks for the prayers!

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God bless your family at this time, a nurse that I work with always tells me that god puts no more on us than we can handle. It's true, hope all goes well.

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Bless you for seeing her true beauty. What a hard situation to be in. I am praying for you and also for your wonderful daughter.

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Specializes in Everything but L&D and OR.

My prayers and thoughts are with you and your beautiful little girl!

I hope everything turns out well for her. She sounds like a real sweetie pie.

Christine

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

So sorry for you and your precious daughter. I would say her orthopedist is probably your best bet to answer the many questions you must have.

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Bless her heart, I know she's a real cutie. I'll be keeping both of you in my thoughts and prayers. You *know* they'll be legions of us thinking and praying for her and for you.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

:icon_hug:

I also don't know much about this particular problem, but medicine is amazing these days. Lots of blessings to you and your little one!

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Hi Meerkat,

My daughter also was born with hemivertebrae. The orthopedist followed her

with regular xrays & plotted the angle of the curve until it was great enough to require surgery, at 13 years old. They like to wait as late as possible, because the curve may continue to get worse with growth, but they like to catch it before growth is finished, (around puberty). At least that was the case with my daughter. She had a major double curve (S shaped) & required 2 Harrington rods. At that time, recovery took about a year & she had to wear a 2 piece cast that included a hinged portion that extended to her knee. That was to restrict lateral movement while healing took place. 12 years later they were removed because she was in an auto accident & they were dislodged. At that point, she no longer needed them as the fusion was complete, but they are not routinely removed. She is now in her mid 30s & has a beautiful teen age daughter of her own. During the years prior to her surgery, she did require shoes that were built up on one foot to compensate for the curve.

Good luck to you & your little one. While it isn't something I would have chosen for my sweet little daughter to have to go through, we made it through together and I pray that you will, too. I will keep you in my thoughts & prayers.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

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