Scoliosis Surgery (VBT) for Natalie

        Our Natalie’s story begins at 5 years old when her pediatrician noticed a slight curve in her spine. With her being so young and the current theme for scoliosis is to “watch and wait” that's exactly what we did. By age 10, while she was at gymnastics I noticed her hips looked uneven. I had her bend over in front of me and was shocked at the hump on the left side of her spine. I scheduled an x-ray which revealed she had a 13 degree thoracic curve and 26 degree lumbar curve (like an “S” shape). We were very concerned!
           We then put her in a chiropractic scoliosis program for over a year. Despite the program by age 12 her spine progressed to 26 thoracic and 37 lumbar. We were so disappointed! We then consulted 2 orthopedic doctors. One suggested she wear a hard brace for 2 years 23 hours a day then fusion surgery if she got to 45-50 degrees. The other didn’t feel she was a good candidate for a hard brace and suggested fusion surgery if it got to 50 degrees. Needless to say we were NOT thrilled with these options!!! Fusion is where they place rods and screws along her spine to permanently fuse the spine into 1 inflexible solid piece of bone. This would limit her life significantly, I just couldn't do that to my active girl!! As a last stitch effort we tried a physical therapy program and she progressed even more to 29 thoracic and 41 lumbar.
      Natalie is now 13 years old with a 30 degree thoracic curve and 47 degree lumbar curve.  As her spine curves it also twists like a rubber band which makes all treatment options more difficult and the more it rotates the worse her curves will get even into adulthood. As things looked grim, and there was no guarantee her spine will stop progressing I couldn't give up! Fusion was not an option!! I knew there had to be a better way!
        
       After months of researching for a better option and countless hours in scoliosis support groups talking to other parents, I found the answer!!! It's a revolutionary new surgery called VBT (Vertebral Body Tethering). VBT has been around for 7 years, is less invasive and has had overwhelming positive results!! The best part is it not only reduces the curvature but it also allows for full flexibility!! Within 3 months she can fully return to gymnastics, cheer, sports, dance, you name it!!  We are very hopeful for this surgery and we know it’s her best option!! It is the future of scoliosis treatment and we are so excited for her to have this opportunity!
      There are only 15 surgeons in the US that can do VBT, so it comes with a price tag but none as great as seeing my daughter without a lifetime of spinal issues!!  The idea is that once growth stops the spine will remold into it's new tethered position similarly to how braces work on teeth. Surgery needs to be performed before Natalie stops growing and since she is almost skeletally mature we are limited on time and options as only 5 of the 15 doctors were willing to take her case.  We have chosen Dr. Braun at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He helped pioneer the surgery and has been doing it the longest. He's our guy!!

      Surgery is scheduled for August 11th, 2016. Dr Braun feels she will need a single lumbar tether verses a double where both lumbar and thoracic are tethered (good news!). He feels once the lumbar is better aligned it should help the thoracic spine straighten some as well (more good news!). Surgery will take roughly 3-4 hours. He will make a 6-8" incision on her left side, where he will put a screw in the side of each vertebrae from T11-L3 then run the tether thru the screw heads to immediately reduce her curvature!! She will spend 3 days in the hospital and another 7 in a hotel before she is cleared to travel home. 

      The scoliosis journey is a long and difficult one. Over the last 3.5 years, we have spent thousands of dollars on her spinal care and now we need your help! Since we recently discovered VBT and are racing the clock with her growth, we have had little time to save. As VBT is still in its early stages we will have lots of out of pocket costs, significant travel/lodging expenses as well as unpaid leave from work all of which will take a heavy toll on our family. Over the next few years, there will be further expenses for x-ray, blood work, and travel/lodging for follow up appointments.

We simply can’t do it without you!
We greatly appreciate any and all donations to make this opportunity a reality!! VBT FOR NATALIE!!

Here's more info on the VBT Surgery: http://pediatricspinefoundation.org/
Click on the Patients and Parents tab, click on the link called "Video- Maddie's Story" it explains the procedure about half way through.

Here is a news clip on VBT as well:
http://globalnews.ca/news/2733681/bc-doctor-first-in-canada-to-use-new-treatment-to-treat-scoliosis/?sf27601310=1