Scoliosis Surgery Personal Stories & Resources
For Teens
About
Scoliosis
Approximately 3 million adolescents are diagnosed with scoliosis every year in the United States
Currently, the cause of scoliosis, as well as whether or not it is preventable, is unknown
About 30% of people affected by scoliosis are recommended bracing, and about 10% of scoliosis patients receive surgery
Scoliosis diagnoses most often occur in children between the ages of 10 and 15
Curve progression is 10 times more likely to occur in girls
Sources at bottom of website
Me
Hi! Welcome to my website, Scoliosis for Teens. I created this website to help you educate yourself about scoliosis and the surgery, as well as hear about a few surgery perspectives to help you understand what the experience is like! Please share your scoliosis surgery story with me, so I can publish it on this website! In doing so, you will continue to help more and more teens educate themselves about the experience. You can find my own scoliosis story below! To share your scoliosis story, press the "Share Your Story" button on the webpage or email me at TeenSpineStories@Gmail.com! Thank You !
My spinal x-ray before and after spinal fusion
Personal Stories
Teens who received scoliosis surgery sharing their experience
Colby
I'm Colby A. and I am currently 17 years old. At the age of 13, I was diagnosed with scoliosis. In June of 2019, when I was 15, I received spinal fusion surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City. A couple of days after my surgery, I was already able to stand up and take small walks by myself with the help of my extremely supportive and caring nurses and physical therapists. I stayed overnight at the hospital for 3 nights. A few weeks of recovery passed, and I began my physical therapy treatment which I did for 10 weeks. Following the completion of my PT, I was cleared to attend my high school's preseason training for volleyball in August of 2019. I was so excited ! I was unsure whether or not I would be able to get back into sports or not, but after just under 3 months, I was back to playing volleyball ! This experience proved to me that anything is possible if you put your mind to it! After months of hard work and physical therapy/training, I'm now better than ever and so grateful that I received my spinal fusion surgery.
Tabitha
Hi everyone, my name is Tabitha S and I am 19 years old. When I was 13 years old I found out I had scoliosis, I started seeing spine specialists and soon enough I was wearing a night brace, about a year later I started wearing a day brace. While bracing works for a majority of those with scoliosis it did not for me. So, a few days after I turned 15 years old I had to undergo scoliosis surgery, I went to Yale New Haven, the nurses and doctors were all amazing and made the recovery process positive, especially when I had to stay in the hospital for extra time. Normally a patient will stay overnight for around three to four days but I was there for eight. There was a small complication in my surgery where my spine was knicked. I was taken care of and it healed fast. It is very uncommon for any complications to arise as the surgeons are very careful. I know one of my biggest fears was if I would have the ability to play lacrosse again. I remember my surgeon telling me he has had patients return back to dancing, softball, and all different types of sports. However, certain sports are a risk (sports that you are twisting in, or that have lot’s of physical contact) so after a lot of thought I decided not to go back to lacrosse. An even better opportunity appeared, I started running cross country and track, which I still love to this day. I do have some recovery tips to make the process easier, first is to stretch, ask your doctor for stretches and they will give you a long list these help the patient gain as much flexibility in the back. Another tip is to walk as much as possible, nurses will have the patient walking a day after the surgery, it seems scary but it is the key to recovery. Even after returning home I went on short walks multiple times a day, it can be hardwork but the outcome is so worth it. Even though I faced struggles after scoliosis surgery it was one of the best decisions of my life. I rarely notice any pain in my back anymore, I run daily and can keep up with anything.
Addison
Hi. My name is Addison M and I am now 14 years old. I was 12 years old when I had scoliosis surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. After surgery, I was in the hospital for 6 days. Prior to surgery, I had been playing lacrosse and dancing three days a week. After surgery, I had a hard time dancing and struggled to play lacrosse. Physical therapy really helped me and after 4 months I was able to get back to playing lacrosse at a high level. After surgery I would recommend moving as soon as possible even though it will hurt. I would also recommend physical therapy and following the program your therapist outlines for you. I learned that even though it can hurt to move in the beginning, the more you move and exercise the quicker you will feel better.
Scoliosis surgery based interview with Colby, Sierra, and HSS' Chief of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Widmann.
Resources
Instagram Handles:
@ScoliosisJourney.x
Share Your Story
Questions, comments or want to share your personal experience?
Email me about your scoliosis experience at teenspinestories@gmail.com
OR use the Share Your Story button below!
Sources Used for Scoliosis Facts
"5 Facts about Scoliosis Every Parent Should Know." Johns Hopkins Medicine,
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/scoliosis/
5-facts-about-scoliosis-every-parent-should-know. Accessed 21 Sept. 2021."Scoliosis Facts and Figures." Spine Correction Center of the Rockies, 16 Feb.
2018, www.spinecorrectioncenter.com/scoliosis-facts-and-figures/. Accessed
21 Sept. 2021.