x-rays!

At our last appointmen, Shriner's hospital gave us a copy of all of Russell's x-rays they'd done up until that point. Looking at them, seeing them get worse from 12 mon to 17 mon, and then seeing the amazing amount of correction they've gotten with the two casts, gives me a sense of accomplishment!  It also makes me realize, yet again, that we're doing the right thing.  His curve is looking so much better.  Even now, with his cast off for the last week and a half, it still looks pretty good!  Hopefully that means the end is getting nearer!

He had one earlier x-ray than shown here, when he was 9 mon.  It showed his curve as being about 15*.

So here are his x-rays, starting with the oldest:

12 months,
I think his curve was 30* or so, I didn't write it down.  His RVAD was 45* (Rib-Vertebral Angle Difference). Rib phase 2.

****An RVAD above 20* has an 80% chance of progressing, a rib phase of 2 gives it an even greater chance of progressing (worsening). Rib phase can be a 1 or a 2. One means the ribs on either side of the spine are identical, two means they are not mirror images of eachother.***
 

15 months
45* curve, with 45* RVAD.Rib phase 2.

 

17 months
Same measurements as 15 mon



17 months, with 1st cast on
20* curve, 0* RVAD, rib phase 2



21 months, with 2nd cast on
25* curve, 0* RVAD, rib phase 2