Does anyone have a child with kyphosis a form of scoliosis?

My 11 yr old was diagnosed a year ago. At first the surgeon she was referred to at Arkansas Children's Hospital said she would have to have surgery eventually and that bracing wouldn鈥檛 do any good. Her curvature is about 70 %. When we went back for her 3 mo check up it had not progressed since her last visit and he said if it stays at 70% we would only operate for cosmetic reasons. By the way her surgeon is world renowned and has been on discovery channel. So, has anyone been through this that will offer some advice? The surgery is 8hrs long, putting a steal rod and pins in my child鈥檚 back scares the (bad word) out of me! but I don't want her to be made fun of or have an old lady hunch back when she's 40. What to do?

My mother went through that surgery 35 years ago, she was 14, and had a 69潞 curve in her spine that was shaped like an S. It's a lot different now than it was then. She recently corresponded with a 13 year old that had it done and encouraged her and sent photos of what she looked like and such explaining that she was glad that they did the surgery. The girl that had the surgery done was up and walking in 3 weeks and back to normal in 6 weeks, of course there's things you can't do for a certian period of time, but the proceedure now is 100% better than what my mom went through.
I have scoliosis, it's not nearly as bad as my mothers but it does hurt as you get older.
Good Luck and we'll be praying for you and you daughter especially.

My neice had a 90* curve. She went to shriners & had a rod since she was 3. They pay for it. It has really helped her. Her back is @ 78* now. She is 11 & they will now put in a permanent rod. She has been very resilient after surgeries. She is very lively & active. The doctors are highly skilled.