Backlog journals - Scoliosis



 

Front view of Evelyn's leaning to her left



Human spine made up of vertebrae, a normal vertebrae is in a cube shape, There are 7 cervical vertebrae (C1 to C7), 12 thoracic vertebrae (T1 to T12), and each connects to the 12 pairs of ribs. The lower spine made up of 5 vertebraes called lumbar spine (L1 to L5). So when all cube shape vertebrade line up straight it becomes a straight spine at front/ back view. One of reason for scoliosis associated with OI developed is because of vertebrae loosen liagaments (means the vertebrae in between is loosen os they cant connect firmly to each other).  Evelyn has 10 triangle-shape vertebraes (T1 to T8), (L1 to L2)  that made her spine cant stand straight. Her upper spine curve to the right made the right ribs twisted to right up; the lower spine curve to the left made the left ribs twisted to left down. It is a very complicated S curve. We are hoping that pam drug treatment could help to strengthen the triangle-shape vertebrae so it would not get collapsed further.

Evelyn tends to lean her body to left side due to the twisted right up ribs, and twisted left down ribs. She received her back brace support since 20 months old. .  The brace is to support her body posture so that she will have a straight body and to avoid leaning to either side. It needs to be wore 24/7 no matter what position she is in, ie: sitting, standing, walking, sleeping.

Evelyn on her brace, with this brace she cant really move her body in sitting posture, so we let her stand with support



Back view of Evelyn's spine curve, upper T1 to T8 twisted to right up resulting the right shoulder to be uneven, lower lumbar L1 to L2 twisted to left down.



Once Scoliosis associated with OI started to develop, it will not be straighten by itself. A mild curve can be corrected through brace or pam treatment or therapy. A curve > 30 degree needs to be monitored closely; it is highly likely the curve will progress rapidly. The brace is not for spine correction, but to help to prevent her curve progression. For curve > 50 degree, surgery maybe required if the internal organs such as lungs and heart are affected by its function.

Evelyn had 37 upper degree curve at 18 mo. They had never seen this bad curve at such a young OI toddler. Her lower spine curve was less than 10 degree, we have been praying for the lower ones to stop progressing.

almost meal time

"Happiness is to stop worrying things beyond our control"

 

Evelyn weighed at 22mo : 6.8kg, 75cm