We finally made it to the orthopedic today. I had to change the appointment a couple of times due to conflicts. Here's the news:
First of all, the doctor seemed to be quite impressed by what Olivia is able to do to her spine following the Schroth exercises. He was very positive and seemed to think that it was a very good choice for us to go.
Now for her x-ray results, which I will compare with her last x-ray which was 4/19/09:
T5 -11 4/19/09...31% 11/4/09...35%
T4-L3 4/19/09...44% 11/4/09...54%
L3-S1 4/19/09...27% 11/4/09...21%
Spine Alignment:
4/19/09... -46.5cm (off center)
11/4/09... -12 cm (off center)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a huge improvement!
While looking at the change in the curves, he was a bit baffled at the increase in the lower TH curve, considering the dramatic improvement in her posture and spine alignment. He *thinks* that this may not be a progression in the curve, but due to the fact that her spine is so much more aligned, it may be a compensation of sorts. This is not something that he seemed at all concerned about, and was actually encouraged by the results.
He clearly told us that surgery is not something that he would consider, especially at this time. He feels that with what Olivia has been taught, and seeing how well she is able to easily correct her spine, she has an excellent chance of not progressing. She has not grown at all since April, which is also a huge plus. She will go back in eight months for another x-ray, and he commented that he would like to follow her for the next twenty years.
Now, for some very exciting news! We were informed that two PT's from Providence are going to The Scoliosis Rehab Center in Stevens Point, WI to be trained in Schroth. Dr. Manuel Rigo from Barcelona, Spain will be there training the therapists. Once trained they will be practicing Schroth at the PT center on the Novi Providence Campus. I couldn't be more thrilled!
Olivia was strongly encouraged to do her exercises five times a week for 30 minutes. It's been somewhat of a stuggle, but I really feel that she sees the importance of it. I'll keep encouraging her (nagging doesn't work, I need to encourage!).
I truly feel so blessed to have Dr. Mendelow as Olivia's orthopedic, and to have learned and had the opportunity to experience the Schroth Method of Physical Therapy.
