We have an appointment on Thursday at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital in Oxford. It's a second opinion from a consultant who has interests in using Mehta casting (we were referred to him by the current consultant, but I'm not sure whether he actually does Mehta casting. I asked his secretary about his use of Mehta casting and she'd never heard of it. Maybe they call it something different?).
It's a very important meeting - so these are a first draft of questions. It depends on his approach how I phrase these, but these are the topics I want to have covered by the end:
1. We don't know whether J's scoliosis is progressive (it's currently static at approx 30-32 * - but we don't know whether that is because he's in soft casts). Is Mehta casting appropriate (what I've read is that it's for progressive scoliosis)?
2. Mehta casting involves risks. I am aware that general anaesthetic carries risks, but what exactly? How quantify? How do they weigh up against the benefits?
3. The current consultant talked about the risks to the lungs of Mehta casting - on the ISOP message board people talk about leaving gaps at the side to allow lungs to expand - does he use any method for this?
4. What exactly is the technique they use? How often is the cast applied? What kind of cast do they use? What is the recovery period? Do we stay overnight? When can I go back to work? What happens in the future - bracing?
5. What are the expectations if we go through Mehta casting? (outlook- best case? probable? worst case? how long continue?)
6. What would the aim be - full correction?
7. Are there other risks?
8. What is his view on life with a 30-32 degree curve if we don't do Mehta and just maintain the current curve?
9. [this just came to mind - if it gets worse and we are using the soft casting not Mehta, then the current consultant will use growth rods. But I know nothing about them. Do the growth rods correct a curve or just stop it deteriorating? - more a question for the current hospital not for Oxford]
10. What is the size of the casts? How far up? Down? Shape? What made of? Do people wear T-shirts underneath (I've read of this on websites)
11. What kind of table and equipment does he have? (websites say this is ***very*** important)
12. How much experience? How many children treated? What outcomes?
13. How long need to wait before starting if we do say yes to this new type?
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