LHoward, I can see the difference in the curvature of the spine between the 2 x-rays. I also noticed the numbers on them. Are those measurements made by the doctor? I wasn't sure if those were representing the range of lung volume, and if so, those number ranges are different.

I'm sure these are tough decisions as to what to do next. Do you think if there was a corrective surgery done now, that it might prevent further curving of the spine and possibly restore some lung function? I presume she is still growing at this time.

I hope you will find a doctor who can help make this a bit better. A spine deformity expert would have some answers as to what is possible. I am glad I could help you find some answers to your question, and with that knowledge you can make an informed choice. What I wonder about is how will this change as she continues to grow? That is what you need to know. I wonder if the top portion of the spine was able to expand more as she keeps growing if that can help the situation. I also wonder if a respiratory physical therapist can help.

I thought this link might help. It helped me formulate questions when I was facing spine surgery.
https://www.spine-health.com/blog/40-questions-ask-your-surgeon-back-surgery
The questions that I would add would be about lung function and what does the surgeon hope to achieve to improve lung capacity and how will he do that?

What makes her a good candidate or a poor candidate for the procedure?

Are there corrective surgeries that can be done after maximum growth that can improve the spine and function of the chest cavity and lungs?

Will it take a series of smaller procedures over time or one procedure to address everything?

What would happen if the Harrington rods were removed completely? Would the spine be able to support itself or would it collapse further?

Are there automatic growing rods that can be adjusted from outside the body?

What are the benefits and risks of the procedure?

Does the diaphragm work? If not, can it's function be restored?

Can a procedure on the lower end of the thoracic spine/lumbar area make room for the diaphragm to move?

Because she is still growing, time is of essence in getting a goal and plan in place. Colleen gave you some suggestions, and possibly you could have a video consult between a surgeon in Australia and a surgeon at Mayo. She needs your positive energy.

Sometimes patients face some very difficult circumstances, but miracles do happen and a miracle even happened to someone I know personally, my friend Wayne. He is a local celebrity in Chicago who sings the national anthem at the baseball games, and after a game he was shot through the throat in a robbery attempt. It nearly took his life, and he was told he may never be able to speak again. Imagine being told that when you make your living as a singer. His necktie saved his life that night by plugging the wound to slow the bleeding. He did recover and he worked hard in therapy to get his voice back, and it was just as magnificent as ever. I was playing in a concert band, and our director invited him to sing with us which was the first guest invitation he received post op. That is how I met him, and his guest appearances with his wife singing show tunes became an annual event. He amazed me when he went to the prison and visited one of the juveniles who committed the crime against him, and then he forgave him and told him to make something good out of his life. The boy never expected this. He had expected anger, but instead he received kindness. I told my friend that I didn't know if I could have done that, and he told me that you never know what you are capable of until you are tested.

When I was scared and in need of spine surgery because of spinal cord compression, I reached out to my friend, Wayne, a professional singer because I knew he knew something about courage and facing fear, and I was trying to find that in myself. His advice to me was that I was too talented to let a spine problem take away my artistic talent, so if surgery could preserve my talent, then that was what I needed to do. It really did come down to that. I decided doing what I love the most was worth saving even if I was afraid. I could not let fear decide my future. It was a traffic accident caused by another driver twenty years earlier that set in motion the events that led me to this day, and I had long ago forgotten the name of the driver and forgiven him. I believe in looking for positive outcomes and doing everything I can to add to that success. This situation also forced me to examine exactly why I had so much fear over surgery, and I got past it and deprogrammed it, so fear does not hold power over me anymore. That was so empowering and it was something I didn't know I had the ability to defeat. It changed my life completely and lifted a heavy burden off my shoulders. It really is why I am here on Connect helping others overcome their hurdles. Here is my story. https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2019/01/09/using-the-art-of-medicine-to-overcome-fear-of-surgery/