What is Halo Gravity Traction? Halo gravity traction is a procedure used to reduce the degree of curvature in the spines of children with severe idiopathic or congenital scoliosis. Spinal traction is the gentle pulling of the soft tissue (joints and muscles) to help straighten the spine. A scoliotic curve allowed to reach high degrees […]
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Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
How do I know that it’s a Mehta Cast?
Some identifying characteristics of a Mehta cast are: It’s made with Plaster of Paris The front has a mushroom-shaped chest expansion window The cast has shoulder straps (it’s an “over the shoulder” cast) Application by a Mehta-trained pediatric orthopedic surgeon Petals made of moleskine cover the windows and cast edges
What about the D-shaped window on the back of the Mehta cast?
The D-shaped window on the back of a Mehta cast actively assists in the derotation of the child’s most prevalent curve with every breath the child takes. The D -shaped window should always be placed on the concavity side of curve, not past the midline. This special window allows the oblique ribs on the cavity side to […]
What are the important measurements that can tell me more about my child’s scoliosis?
The most effective way to determine the nature of your child’s curve is to have a pediatric orthopedic surgeon measure the Rib Verteral Angle Degree (RVAD). This simple, free and effective measuring technique uses a pencil and a ruler and was developed by Dr. Min Mehta in the early 70s. If the RVAD is more […]
Why was PIS not noticed at our Well Baby checks and appointments?
Unfortunately, at this time, scoliosis checks are not part of the suggested guidelines for Well Baby Checks. While pediatricians and family physicians provide a general look at your baby’s overall health, it may fall on your shoulders to monitor this. One of the best tools that you have is your camera. When you suspect that your child’s spinal […]
The doctor recommended surgery to insert metal rods beside my baby’s spine. Does this mean that my baby is not a candidate for treatment with Mehta’s Growth Guidance Casting?
Not necessarily. MGGC is a gentle, conservative, and perhaps most importantly, non-invasive treatment option to address the three dimensional curves of progressive infantile scoliosis. There are no side effects when MGGC protocols are applied by a surgeon who has received proper, specialized training. In contrast, the complication rates for surgery and implantation of distraction hardware involve […]
What is Mehta casting?
Mehta’s Growth Guidance Casting (MGGC) is a validated, non-surgical, potentially curative treatment for progressive infantile scoliosis (PIS). PIS in infancy is considered the only potentially life threatening condition in the world of pediatric orthopedics because the curve(s) will keep pace at the rate of the child’s growth, which is fast the first two years of life. Scoliosis […]
Why is Early Treatment so important?
Why do Mehta Casts have that mushroom-shaped window on the front?
The mushroom-shaped window that identifies a Mehta cast is a vital key to your baby’s future health because: It allows them to breathe normally and fully It accommodates their developing heart, lungs and internal organs The human body grows at an incredibly rapid rate during the first two years of life and MGGC casts are […]
The pediatric orthopedic surgeon recommended surgery to insert metal rods into my baby’s spine. Does this mean that my baby is not a candidate for treatment with Mehta’s Growth Guidance Casting?
Not necessarily. MGGC is a gentle, conservative, and perhaps most importantly, non-invasive treatment option to address the three dimensional curves of progressive infantile scoliosis. There are no side effects or lingering complications when MGGC protocols are applied by a surgeon who has received specialized training. This sharply contrasts the complication rates for surgery and implantation […]
What is ISOP doing to educate the medical community about Mehta casting?
As a nonprofit program, ISOP dedicates its resources to families affected by progressive infantile scoliosis (PIS), training physicians in the Early Treatment Protocol and growing the availability of MGGC worldwide. This is possible thanks to your donations and the generosity of ISOP sponsors. Back to Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
Why was Mehta’s Growth Guidance Casting not mentioned at our appointment with the pediatric orthopedic surgeon?
While all physician’s are familiar with the basics of casts and casting, Mehta’s Growth Guidance Casting (MGGC) is a specialized procedure that requires a specific type of frame and a surgeon who has been trained in the protocol. Your child’s surgeon may not be familiar with MGGC. Please refer her or him to ISOP’s website […]
Is there any reason we shouldn’t “watch and wait” and then recheck my baby’s spine 6 months from now?
Once it is determined that your child has scoliosis, determining the exact type is next. There are several types of scoliosis that affect infants. Progressive Infantile Scoliosis Diagnosed from birth to age 2 Considered a non-structural type of scoliosis Congenital Scoliosis A structural issue of the vertebrae present at birth Examples are hemivertebrae, chiari malformation, syringomeyelia, tethered […]
Why is Early Diagnosis so important?
Early Diagnosis and Early Treatment are at the core of successful treatment with Mehta’s Growth Guidance Casting (MGGC) for one simple reason. The human body grows at an unbelievably rapid rate during the first two years of life. This growth rate will never be experienced again during a human’s development. This rapid growth rate is […]
