AAI, they call it. We just found out that William has this for sure. It's an extension between the first two vertebrae in his neck. We suspect he's had it from birth (he had to be born c-section because his head was bent back too far) though they didn't start testing him for it 'til last year, and weren't absolutely certain he had it 'til now. It's asymptomatic, so they'll just keep an eye on it. He'll have x-rays every year, and may have an MRI w/in the next couple of years to see just how careful we need to be about the physical activities he engages in. We'll be reading up on it more: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1180354-overview.
His pediatrician has recommended that we help him avoid anything that could possibly make it worse: jumping a lot on the trampoline (bad timing. The boys got a little one for Christmas because the same pediatrician recommended it to help Jonathan let off some energy.) We'll need to get a helmet for him to wear with his big wheel (we were going to do that anyway.) No head-locks (William actually gives these more than gets them.) He won't be allowed to participate in certain Special Olympics events: Wrestling (the boys do it all the time!) Football (William's already good at tackling.) Equestrian sports (he loves horses.)
sigh
We have a lot of work ahead of us to put an end to our boys' habitual roughhousing. William's propensity for diving head-first off beds/couches/chairs/down-the-stairs should probably be curtailed too. (Ya think?)
Update 7/26/12: William visited Dr. Bockmeyer, a neurosurgeon at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City, who has no concerns about William's instability and gave him no activity restrictions! Hooray! We feel relieved and grateful.
5 comments:
Yikes. That's a major shift in what he apparently loves to do! Tough news. I'll be reading up on it since I know nothing about it.
In this medical journal, under "Activity" are the following points:
In individuals with radiologic evidence of AAI (which William barely has) without clinical signs or symptoms (which he doesn't), activities that might produce injury to the cervical spine should be restricted. (OK)
Without evidence of subluxation (there isn't in William's case), physical activity restriction is unnecessary. (What? Is activity restriction necessary or not?)
Oh, 'Becca! Sounds like the greatest challenge is to keep him from doing all the "boy" things. That's really tough - especially when they are so much fun! I'll be praying for you all.
I think general caution without overhaul of every house rule sounds good -- my nephew has always had a huge hole in his skull because of/and despite multiple surgeries, and he's got a pretty normal range of activities, even for a boy. Good luck adjusting, I have faith in your good mother judgment!
Wow! That is crazy. there is not way to stop a little boy from being a little boy. Good luck getting him to slow down. Our prayers go out to him and you.
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