Elias Nutting

These are the x-ray photos which show how hypermobile Elias’ Head is when he bends his head forward and back. This extra movement is what causes the risk of his spinal cord being severed and thus the reason for the surgery. He already has his C7-C2 neck vertabraes fused together from birth and so now the doctors need to fuse the remaining C2, C1, and Skull for stability.

We are so fortunate to have Shriners and Dr. Gupta, M.C. (one of the best pediatric orthopaedic spine surgeons):

http://www.shrinershq.org/files/hospitals/Northern_California/pdf/GuptaMunish_cv.pdf

Also, we are fortunate that Peter O. Newton, MD was able to evaluate Elias’ condition as well. He is the brother/brother-in-law of Craig and Kim Newton (parents of Emma in Ame’s class 4th grade class)…it’s a small world. He is one of the best orthopaedic surgeons as well: http://orthodoc.aaos.org/PeterNewton/about.cfm

Okay, that is all I have for tonight.

Later,

Jon