So, today we reviewed the left shoulder MRI arthogram and it looks good. That is fantastic news. Even with the many dislocations, that shoulder is holding it's own. I asked the surgeon about the allograft techniques and patches that some are doing. He mentioned Dr Millett's innovative work in this area, but his opinion was that any move toward this type of procedure was a guarantee for arthritis in that joint in upcoming 2-3 year time frame. He did give me two names from Mayo and he advised that if we wanted to go further down that route, go to Mayo. He said Chicago does not have answers for us. He said no one really had a solution for us, but he definitely indicated that Mayo or Boston would be better places to look.
He was friendly. He answered my questions. I just wish there was something better to say on the subject. He did agree that new advancements and discoveries are always being made and that we should keep eyes and ears open and keep on hoping for something better than the non options we have here.
When we moved to Chicago, I felt certain that we had the best medical care in the world right outside our door, and I still know that we have fantastic doctors and nurses around our area. I am just surprised that the best and brightest in Chicago are all sending us packing. It does start to feel like the world of shoulder experts is a small one, and they all seem to know of each other, if not know each other from school or working together.
So, what is the plan? Keep balancing this line between rest and exercise. Keep staying home more than going out (dual enrolling in school, using wheel chair in crowded places). Keep wearing the brace and possibly pursue a second custom brace in the future. Keep learning how to support the shoulders through core strength and posture. Keep hoping, researching, growing, learning, and moving forward. And, even though it doesn't look like our daughter will be able to stabilize these shoulders, if we can help her to stay stable enough to avoid living in immobilizers, we have won a small victory. She is doing much better since we started homeschooling. So, as small a plan as it is, that is the plan for now.
