Scoliosis - Backbone check for Secondary pupils
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wi11anna:
Hi twinMoM, how much did you pay for the SpineCor brace. Is it at the subsidised rate? We're thinking to switch DD to wear the soft brace. Her doc (NUH) said she can change but we'll ve to pay the full price. Thanks.
Hi wi11anna,
In the first place, did she get a referral from HPB to see the NUH doctor under subsidised rate (school check > HPB > specialist)? If so, she can ask the doctor of HPB write her another referral letter to KK for a 2nd opinion. I did that for my daughter cos I foresee the difficulties of wearing the hard brace.
The soft brace's subsidised rate it is approx $2400 (+- varies depending on the components used) I am not sure the exact difference of full/subsidise maybe a few hundred dollars but do consider the regular doctor reviews/xtrays will be charged full as well. You can call up KK to check (Clinic P) or Intergrif Medical (they are in partner with KK)
http://www.integratif.com.sg/
Explain to them your situation, I am sure they will be able to help you. If your daughter is not making use of the hard brace consistently, then try to find an alternative for her asap rather than \"hoping she will be good girlwearing it everyday\" and in the midst of it her curve increases
It's not easy on her I'm sure.. Even with the soft brace, my daughter can hardly clock 20hrs a day, mostly 17hrs on the average. I am also hoping for the best because nobody can guarantee the result at the end of the day. We only want to stop the degree from increasing and avoid surgery.
Feel free to ask me questions. Just to set the record straight, I'm not in any way related to the soft brace company or any medical institution.. I am just a mother sharing with other parents whose kid is having the same problem, and not sure of what to do.
Cheers
@ julongmum
Are you able to edit the title of this post? Add in Scoliosis at the back or infront so that when parents google, they are able to trace this site. Thank you ! -
[quote="TwinMoM]
@ julongmum
Are you able to edit the title of this post? Add in Scoliosis at the back or infront so that when parents google, they are able to trace this site. Thank you ![/quote]
unfortunately i don’t know how to change the title… -
Hi julongmum, added in the title liao.
My girl had slight curvature in sec school, after going to specialist at school health, was told to leave it alone. Recently, she complained of backpain, and is getting worse, will have to bring her for checks again. Wonder if it has anything to do with her regular hula-hooping.
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mathsparks:
thanks mathsparks.Hi julongmum, added in the title liao.
My girl had slight curvature in sec school, after going to specialist at school health, was told to leave it alone. Recently, she complained of backpain, and is getting worse, will have to bring her for checks again. Wonder if it has anything to do with her regular hula-hooping.
How old is your girl now? better bring her for the check asap, as I read from parents here whose children need to put on braces due to curved backbones r not easy. -
you’re welcome, julongmum. She’s 18 in dec. Already said she don wan to wear braces.
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Hi TwinMoM,
May I know if your girl is doing ok with the soft brace from KKH? Is her degree improving? Can she exercise with the brace? Will it be stinky after a hot day or exercise? Is it difficult to sleep in it since need to clock 20 hours a day in the brace?
My girl was having 14 degree back in Feb and now it’s 25 degree. The NUH Spine doctor wanted to put her on the hard brace.
Is it easy to get a referral from the NUH doc to KKH doc? We had gone from School Nurse -> HPB -> NUH Spine Centre @ SGH.
We are struggling and trying to read alot on this topic. She’s going for her PSLE soon and we are thinking to pick this up again after her last paper on Oct 12th.
Thanks,
gtan88 -
hi gtan,
Please read my previous posts quoted below to answer some of your queries.
She wears a leotard (a must) underneath the brace. The brace will of cos be stained by sweat. You need to wash them once a week when she takes a break from the brace. The only setback is when she gets her period, it is tough to put on the pad cos she wears a leotard for the brace.
Initially it will be difficult to sleep, especially if it is not air-con room but they will soon get used to it. For the hard brace, it needs a lot of discipline and patience cos it really retricts her movements like tying shoe laces..
It should not be a problem getting a referral from HPB. You just wanted a second opinion or alternative treatment, I dont see a problem. I suggest you get a referral letter first and start q-ing for an appt at KK for a date after the PSLE.
Good Luck
She will be fine if she starts treatment before it worsen.TwinMoM:
Yes she is wearing soft brace now (tailored made in KK) for at least 20hrs a day. It has been 3 weeks now, a lil reluctant to wear it due to the weather :x but it is still better than the hard brace which restricts her movements (like a robot) and kids at that age has a lot of self-esteem.. She is due for a review in June and we'll see if it improves.. On the day where she was braced, she took an x-ray with the brace on, it improved a good 9 degrees.. so she has to continue to put on for at least 18mths. The priority now is to stop her curve from increasing, to correct it is of cos a bonus, it does happen to some though depending on their growth spurt.
Yes swimming and pilates are good exercises for Scoliosis. Dont take on excercises that will put stress to the spine eg. skipping.
Notes to parents :idea: : Do explore the pros/cons of soft brace (KK)/hard brace (NUH) before you decide what is best for your child. See both the expertise and decide AFTER. The web nowadays provide so much info for references.
PM me if you need further info. I'm happy to help if I can.TwinMoM:
Hi wi11anna,
In the first place, did she get a referral from HPB to see the NUH doctor under subsidised rate (school check > HPB > specialist)? If so, she can ask the doctor of HPB write her another referral letter to KK for a 2nd opinion. I did that for my daughter cos I foresee the difficulties of wearing the hard brace.
The soft brace's subsidised rate it is approx $2400 (+- varies depending on the components used) I am not sure the exact difference of full/subsidise maybe a few hundred dollars but do consider the regular doctor reviews/xtrays will be charged full as well. You can call up KK to check (Clinic P) or Intergrif Medical (they are in partner with KK)
http://www.integratif.com.sg/
Explain to them your situation, I am sure they will be able to help you. If your daughter is not making use of the hard brace consistently, then try to find an alternative for her asap rather than \"hoping she will be good girlwearing it everyday\" and in the midst of it her curve increases It's not easy on her I'm sure.. Even with the soft brace, my daughter can hardly clock 20hrs a day, mostly 17hrs on the average. I am also hoping for the best because nobody can guarantee the result at the end of the day. We only want to stop the degree from increasing and avoid surgery.
Feel free to ask me questions. Just to set the record straight, I'm not in any way related to the soft brace company or any medical institution.. I am just a mother sharing with other parents whose kid is having the same problem, and not sure of what to do.
Cheers -
Hi
Just brought my girl (P5) for X-ray at hpb and the doc says her degree is 27 degrees and refer to see a specialist in 2 weeks time.
Based on the previous postings, it seems a brace maybe required… I hope not…
Just googling on this and found the ‘spine correction centre’ from Dr Kelvin Lau and the ‘body clinic’. Wondering if anyone has tried anyone of them?
Appreciate any feedback or comments.
Many Thanks. -
a chinese sinseh recommended an exercise for correcting this spinal problem.
1) interlock your fingers and stretch the arms over your head, with the palm facing skyward.
2) lift your heels off the ground and stand on tiptoes for a second or so and then stand flat on feet again.
3) repeat (2) for about 5~10 mins
according to him, this will relieve the muscular inbalance on the (left-right)back/shoulders that leads to the spine bending awkwardly. -
Chanced upon this forum when I was goggling more on Scoliosis earlier… decided to register as a member and share with those concerned our S journey since early this year…
My girl was 10, going on 11, when we were first asked to see the specialist at NUH. After physical checks and x-ray, we were told that she was 35deg off and needed immediate bracing… I didn’t even have time to digest any news/info at that time… it was all a blur as I recall now… she’ll need surgery if it goes 40 deg, that’s what the doc said… there were just no 2 ways about it… worse, her bone maturity level is at stage 0… you and I are at stage 5 = maturity stage…
S was an alien to all of us cos we have nobody in our immediate nor extended family who has it… imagine my panic mode… but I bet I could have got an oscar for the best poker face at that time!!.. the hubster was overseas at that time too! I just wasn’t straight sober…
… so, the nurse sent us to another place to fix a brace straightaway and told me that we were very lucky to get an immediate appointment… I didn’t even know what a brace was, let alone a hard one and a soft one to decide on… So, we fixed it… paid about $500++ish… and collected the brace some 3 weeks later…
My girl had to wear the brace for min 18hours straight per day for a month, before we returned to see the doc and have another x-ray done… I must say that this was somewhat the easiest part throughout the whole episode… she never once complained about it… she took it, put it on, and started wearing every day from the get go… the first 2 days we clocked in min 16hrs each… but by the 3rd day, it was at least 20 hours each day… it is now part of her… we have accepted it, or rather I have… I have to… cos it is what it is…
Doc said my girl has rigid bones when we returned a month later to have another x-ray done with the brace this time… what it means it’s that bracing may not help her much cos she’s just not flexible enough… with bracing, she only achieved about 30% lower degree, instead of the desirable 50% degree lower… I was disappointed… sad… worried… and cried a lot quietly when I was alone… again, I told myself… it is what it is… move on… if surgery is needed, so be it…
For the next 6 months before we next see the doc for checks again, my girl diligently wore her brace… I did what I thought I should do even though I was told there’s no scientific proof to it… I sent her to tui na for better blood circulation, another qi gong massage, chiropractor at Orchard Clinic, changed her diet to no process food & include fats & proteins with less carbs according to the chiropractor, ate whole food and as organic as possible… necessary exercises… I even saw a psychotherapist with her as I was afraid that her self-esteem may be affected… another words, I spent all my energy on her condition, and quite a bit of moolah these 6 months on medical and well-being just for her…
I am not sure what works… I am not sure which works… but we just did our 6-mthly check last week during the school Sept hol… after x-ray, she is confirmed to be now at 30 degrees… an improvement of 5 deg… and a bone maturity level at stage 1… but doc insisted that Scoliosis can’t be treated, only can prevent worsen… "30-35deg is about the same" that’s his actual words… I’m not bothered by it… 30 degrees NOW… it WAS 35 degrees then… these are facts… my lifeline was only a mere 5 degree… if it adds 5deg, my girl will need surgery at 40deg… now, she doesn’t… I’m happy… nothing he said at that time gonna change my mood…
It is still my daily routine to read up on S and find other ways to make her daily life more comfy… hence, I’m thinking of going to fix the soft brace for her, soon I hope… the one problem I have with her now is that she refuses to go to the restroom at all when at school… Imagine a full 7hrs on regular days without peeing… that’s another concern… I hope with the soft brace, it’s easier to manage when at school… all the more so, when she goes sec sch in 2015… longer hours away from home…
… our S journey continues… our love-hate relationship with brace(s) continues… so, to those who chance upon this now (like I did)… don’t be disheartened… move on positively… even though results differ for every one, don’t give up… and smile…
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