Diva has been an orthopedist's dream and a mother's nightmare these last few years. The latest incident started with- a cheer injury. Late Sept., a girl they were lifting fell directly onto Diva's head. She went down like a rock. Transported via backboard to local ER, which is good, but the hospital radiology dept is pretty awful. They did a head CT and spine x-rays and cleared her. She was a wreck for about a week but then started to get better, comparatively. Long story short, she's had continuing pain, mostly in lower back. We did PT, made it worse to the point that PT wouldn't touch her until another set of spine x-rays (done at a better hospital). Still nothing showing up. Tried PT again, still made it worse. Then tried my chiro. Second tx was last week, and Diva came home in excruciating pain. Missed school the next day because of it. So I decided it was time for another trip to orthopedic guy.
I had noticed on second set of x-rays that she's got some pretty significant kyphosis going on (dowager's hump). I had actually noticed this a while ago just in looking at her posture, attributed it to her very top-heavy build. Well, ortho is alarmed not only by her kyphosis (53%) but he's seeing porosis on her x-rays from today (he took a total of 9 more sets). Of lesser concern to him is a possible wedge fracture (!!!). And this was *after* he practically jumped out of his seat when looking at the first neck x-ray, because the first views they took looked very suspicious for a broken neck! Scared the bejeebers out of me. Thank goodness, second set of cervical x-rays looked better.
So... we go in Monday for a bone density scan and then a SPECT scan of cervical and lumbar spine, and pelvis. If those are negative, then we go back for an MRI of lumbar spine. Aside from the possible wedge fracture, none of this has to do with- the injury in September, but Diva's really ticked that he can't tell her why her back still hurts. I'm sitting here trying not to completely and utterly flip out over the porosis and possible causes, while trying to get her to understand that he's addressing what he thinks is most important first. She's a really active kid - cheer, volleyball, softball, and is looking forward to being in HS marching band next year (nationally known band). I took her to lunch at TGI Friday's after we finally got out of there today and she's going through all the what if's. I told her that we just have to sit back and just take it one step at a time. When I explained they inject a radioactive isotope for the SPECT scan, she said "Geez, with- all these scans and x-rays and now injecting radioactive stuff, I'm gonna be Spiderman." I'm thankful my family has developed warped sense of humor.
If you could send up a good thought for Diva and her curvy, porous, and possibly fractured vertebrae, I'd appreciate it.
One of those days when I just want to yell at Fate - ENOUGH already!
I had noticed on second set of x-rays that she's got some pretty significant kyphosis going on (dowager's hump). I had actually noticed this a while ago just in looking at her posture, attributed it to her very top-heavy build. Well, ortho is alarmed not only by her kyphosis (53%) but he's seeing porosis on her x-rays from today (he took a total of 9 more sets). Of lesser concern to him is a possible wedge fracture (!!!). And this was *after* he practically jumped out of his seat when looking at the first neck x-ray, because the first views they took looked very suspicious for a broken neck! Scared the bejeebers out of me. Thank goodness, second set of cervical x-rays looked better.
So... we go in Monday for a bone density scan and then a SPECT scan of cervical and lumbar spine, and pelvis. If those are negative, then we go back for an MRI of lumbar spine. Aside from the possible wedge fracture, none of this has to do with- the injury in September, but Diva's really ticked that he can't tell her why her back still hurts. I'm sitting here trying not to completely and utterly flip out over the porosis and possible causes, while trying to get her to understand that he's addressing what he thinks is most important first. She's a really active kid - cheer, volleyball, softball, and is looking forward to being in HS marching band next year (nationally known band). I took her to lunch at TGI Friday's after we finally got out of there today and she's going through all the what if's. I told her that we just have to sit back and just take it one step at a time. When I explained they inject a radioactive isotope for the SPECT scan, she said "Geez, with- all these scans and x-rays and now injecting radioactive stuff, I'm gonna be Spiderman." I'm thankful my family has developed warped sense of humor.
If you could send up a good thought for Diva and her curvy, porous, and possibly fractured vertebrae, I'd appreciate it.
One of those days when I just want to yell at Fate - ENOUGH already!
).
She was just *so* typical teen - rolling eyes, "Mo-oooommmm, I can't believe you're trying to *talk* to him. You have to wait until he says something on the screen and then tap on your response." Oh my goodness, I'm just really getting so old.... there are moments when she just thinks I've completely lost my mind. 
