Price Transparency
Standing Tall After Spinal Fusion Surgery

Standing Tall After Spinal Fusion Surgery

by | Jun 27, 2024 | Scoliosis & Spine

Previously published in Rite Up, 2024 – Issue 2.

In January of 2023, Delilah, a 12-year-old from San Antonio, was helping her mother, Angie, clean the house. As Delilah bent over to pick up something off the floor, Angie noticed that her backbone protruded from her back at an abnormal angle. “It caught me off guard,” Angie says. She called her husband into the room and asked Delilah to repeat the movement. He looked at Angie with wide eyes and said, “What was that?”

Delilah’s pediatrician suspected scoliosis and referred the family to an orthopedic physician.

“After taking an X-ray, he gave us the news that her spine was at an 84 degree angle,” Angie says. “Delilah and I had tears in our eyes.” Angie explained that because of the curves magnitude, the physician said that he would feel more comfortable recommending them to Scottish Rite for Children. “We had never heard of Scottish Rite, but it was the best advice and decision we ever made,” Angie says.

At Scottish Rite, pediatric orthopedic surgeon Megan E Johnson, M.D., diagnosed Delilah with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, of which there is no known cause. Because her curve had surpassed the surgical magnitude of 50 degrees, Dr. Johnson recommended posterior spinal fusion, a surgery in which a rod is secured to the vertebrae to straighten the spine and hold the correction of the curve in place.

“Scoliosis progresses more rapidly when kids are undergoing their big growth spurt,” Dr. Johnson says.

“Delilah still had a lot of growth left, so she was at a greater risk of progression.”

Before surgery, Delilah asked thoughtful questions and expressed some worries. “I had a fear of like, what if I wake up during surgery?” she says. “And, what if it doesn’t turn out right, or what if they miss something?” Dr. Johnson marveled at Delilah’s maturity. “For being 11 at the time, Delilah asked great questions, advocated for herself and did her own research,” she says.

In October, the family traveled to Dallas for Delilah’s surgery and stayed at the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, Scottish Rite’s community partner. “They took such good care of my family,” Angie says. “I’m very grateful for that.” After a successful surgery, Delilah’s curve was corrected from 95 to 20 degrees. She also got two inches taller. “Delilah exceeded our expectations,” Dr. Johnson says. “She has been a champ through it all.” Six months later, Angie cannot believe that Delilah had spinal surgery. “It boggles the mind because she’s back to being herself,” she says. “For us, Scottish Rite means hope, that everything is going to be OK.” Delilah agrees. “You can trust Scottish Rite,” she says, “and know that you are in great hands.”

Read the full issue.

Share Your Story: Connor’s Comeback

Share Your Story: Connor’s Comeback

by | Sep 1, 2023 | Scoliosis & Spine

Meet Connor, a strong and determined athlete whose journey with Scottish Rite for Children began when he was just 10 years old. His scoliosis was first noticed by his mom when she noticed his clothes hung differently. She asked his pediatrician, who referred them to Scottish Rite spine experts. Visiting Chief of Staff Dr. Dan Sucato, Connor’s scoliosis was identified as a 30-degree curve at the time, prompting regular monitoring every six months.

As Connor grew and got more into school sports, his scoliosis curve increased too. His curve was 60 degrees, causing him discomfort. Frustrated with the limitations his condition imposed, Connor decided at 15 that he was ready for a change and opted for surgery.

Last summer, Connor underwent spinal fusion surgery. He spent three nights recovering in our inpatient unit. The support he received from our medical team eased his worries, making him feel at ease about the surgery. His quick recovery amazed everyone, allowing him to celebrate his 16th birthday with friends just two weeks later.

The transformation was remarkable. His shoulders were even, and his T-shirts fit properly. His dedication to recuperation and determination to regain his active lifestyle paid off. With his scoliosis corrected, Connor joyfully rejoined the high school junior varsity football team and played in his first game after taking a year off.

But it wasn’t just the surgery. Connor found comfort at Scottish Rite, from our yummy popcorn to our caring staff who he says felt like family to him. Dr. Sucato didn’t just fix his scoliosis; he brought back normalcy. With no more limping due to his hip pain, Connor got his life back. He’s loving football, golf, hiking and rafting. Watching sports and eating out with friends now brings him joy, as he embraces his new freedom without limitations.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? WE WANT TO HEAR IT! SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US.

Innovative Spinal Surgery Techniques for Scoliosis

Innovative Spinal Surgery Techniques for Scoliosis

by | Jun 30, 2022 | Scoliosis & Spine

In scoliosis patients with a significant curve of 50 degrees or more, spinal surgery is often the best treatment option. Surgery is also an option for scoliosis patients who did not achieve success with bracing. At Scottish Rite for Children, we offer multiple types of surgery to correct scoliosis including spinal fusions, as well as new and innovative methods like vertebral body tethering (VBT) and the magnetically controlled growing rods, also known as MAGEC rods, for children that are still growing.  Learn more about the different types of spinal surgery offered at Scottish Rite below.

Spinal Fusion
The most common surgery performed to treat scoliosis is called a spinal fusion. In a spinal fusion, the curved vertebrae are fused together to create a single, solid bone. This stops the growth in the abnormal part of the spine and prevents the curve from worsening. Metal rods attached by screws are used to hold the spine in place until the bone heals. In all spinal fusions, a bone graft is used to help promote the fusion and the bones grow together to create one solid bone.

  • Patients who have a spinal fusion will see an immediate improvement in the curve of their spine. This surgery also prevents the spine’s curve from progressing over time.
  • Most patients have a recovery period of about six weeks, during which some activities like bending or heavy lifting must be limited.
  • Following a spinal fusion, most patients can return to their normal activities after recovery, which usually is about four to six months.
  • In most cases, patients who undergo a spinal fusion do not require any additional surgeries.

Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT)
VBT is a surgical treatment for idiopathic scoliosis in growing children. This surgery technique uses a strong, flexible cord that is attached to the spine with screws and anchors and as a child grows, their spine will straighten over time. The cord encourages the spine to straighten as the patient grows. Vertebral body tethering is a growth modulation treatment that takes advantage of the spine’s natural growth. Growth modulation means modifying the normal growth patterns through tethering. The tether is placed along the curved side of the spine. This tether is used to slow down the growth of the curved side of the spine while the untethered side continues to grow. By using a tether, the spine can continue to bend and flex. It is not a fusion procedure which is an advantage of pursuing this treatment.

  • VBT is an ideal treatment for children with idiopathic scoliosis who have curves of 30 to 65 degrees and who have significant bone growth remaining.
  • Unlike a spinal fusion, VBT allows for greater mobility and flexibility of the spine.
  • VBT surgery is less invasive than a spinal fusion and involves a shorter recovery time. In most cases, patients can return to most activities within three to four weeks after the surgery.
  • Unless a concern with the tether develops, the implants will not need to be removed once placed by the surgeon.

MAGEC (MAGnetic Expansion Control) System ®
A MAGEC rod is a growing device technique used for patients diagnosed with early-onset scoliosis (EOS) – children under the age of 10. In comparison to a spinal fusion, this is a less invasive, innovative treatment that reduces the number of surgeries a child must undergo. Once the surgery has been performed and the MAGEC rod is in place, the back must heal for about four to six months. Once the spine has healed, then the patient will return to the clinic for his or her first lengthening session. During lengthening, the physician will use a magnetic wand to locate the magnets inside the MAGEC rod and make a mark on the back. Using an External Remote Control (ERC) device, the doctor will then lengthen the rod with a noninvasive adjustment. An X-ray or ultrasound of the spine is then used to confirm the procedure’s success.

  • The MAGEC rod is ideal for patients under the age of 10 who have a curve approaching 50 degrees and other forms of treatment (i.e. bracing, casting) have not been successful.
  • Children may need several lengthening sessions over time to achieve proper results.
  • During the ongoing lengthening sessions, children may remain active and continue all their favorite activities.
  • Lengthening sessions do not typically cause pain and additional surgeries are not usually required.

Each surgical technique has different uses and not all types of surgery will be the right fit for every patient. It is important to discuss all treatment options with your doctor to learn what will work best for your child.

Learn more about scoliosis treatment and surgery at Scottish Rite for Children.

Share Your Story: The Journey of a Scoliosis Patient

Share Your Story: The Journey of a Scoliosis Patient

by | Jun 15, 2018 | Scoliosis & Spine

Meet Peyton, a spine patient who had surgery to correct her scoliosis. Peyton was diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) at age 14. Learn more about her journey below. 

Blog written by Peyton, age 21 of Frisco. 

Hi y’all! I’m Peyton and in honor of Scoliosis Awareness Month I am sharing my story with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) at Scottish Rite Hospital. I’ll take you through my journey, beginning with diagnosis, my decision to have spinal fusion surgery and ending with recovery and where I am today.

My diagnosis process was actually a bit peculiar, as other hospitals and treatment centers that assessed my spinal curvature diagnosed the asymmetry they were seeing as “overdevelopment of muscle” on one side of my back. I was an all-star cheerleader/competitive athlete for 13 years growing up, and I was a flyer. For those who aren’t familiar with the sport of cheerleading, a flyer is the athlete in the air that executes body positions on the hands of the bases who are holding them up. Initially, the statement of “overdevelopment of muscle” seemed feasible, as I was consistently working and stretching one side of my back with little time and attention spent on the other side. The diagnosis wasn’t settling right with my mom. Additionally, my best friend’s mom, who also has scoliosis, was the first person to catch and actually call this so-called ‘overdevelopment’ scoliosis.

 

This confirmed my mom’s suspicions, so we met with my childhood pediatrician who referred us to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, where I was diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at age 14 by Dr. Brandon Ramo.

Peyton and dad x ray_2

Once diagnosed, my treatment plan began immediately with bracing. I will be honest, as an athlete and highly active teen who was involved in numerous school organizations, school cheerleading, school athletics and all-star competitive cheerleading, the idea of being limited by bracing was not easy for me to wrap my head around. The goal was to be in the brace for at least 18 and up to 22 hours a day. If memory serves me correctly, upon hearing this, I immediately started crying. I thought this meant that I was going to have to stop cheering and, seemingly, everything else that I was involved in. At that point, Dr. Ramo discussed with me that time spent in the brace was an important goal, but I didn’t have to stop doing my activities. 

In his expert opinion, he credited the reason that my body didn’t physically reflect what was going on internally was because I was an athlete training at an elite level, thus, developing an extremely strong core. Physically, my body did show evident signs of scoliosis, such as what is commonly referred to as “the hump” on the right side of my back, uneven shoulders and a short torso, but nothing like what is commonly seen in patients who are not training at the level that I was. 

Fast forward four years. I had just turned 18 and was beginning my first year at Texas Christian University (TCU). While my all-star cheerleading career had come to an end, I was embarking on my college cheerleading journey that fall. Dr. Ramo and I agreed that because my growth plates were now closed, there was no need to brace while in college. The plan was to watch my curve and see if it progressed even after my growth plates had closed. Unfortunately, my curve did continue, officially making me a candidate for spinal fusion surgery. As you can imagine, this was not the greatest of news. From the second I was diagnosed, I had been adamantly against surgery, and told my mom time and time again that I would never even consider it. 

Peyton
Dr. Ramo knew this. He also knew I wasn’t in pain and my condition wasn’t preventing me from living my dream and achieving my goal to cheer for a Big 12/Division 1 university. Our plan, at that point, was to monitor my curve throughout the next year. Dr. Ramo was careful to make certain that I understood the big picture while still giving me personal space to make my own informed decision. He communicated his opinion, which was that I would benefit greatly in the long run by electing to have the surgery. He told me to come to him when I was ready to entertain surgery as an option for myself and/or when my cheerleading career was finished – then we would talk.

Almost one year to the date later, I had what I call a “come to Jesus” moment. A light went off in my head and I just knew. I knew my body was changing. I knew, for the first time ever, that my body was physically reflecting what was taking place internally. I knew I needed the surgery. So, one month before the end of my sophomore year at TCU, I called my parents and asked them to schedule a consultation for surgery. When I arrived for my appointment in May 2016, there was a note on my chart that said “consultation.” When Dr. Ramo walked in and saw this, he thought it was a mistake. I told him it wasn’t, and I was ready. Being the miracle worker that I believe him to be, he scheduled my surgery for June 15, 2016.

I arrived for surgery early on the morning of June 15, 2016. My surgery was approximately six and half hours long with zero complications. The early morning hours on the day after surgery were a bit rough as they transitioned me from IV pain meds to oral. My team of nurses took absolute perfect care of me.

They were extraordinarily compassionate, while still making sure to keep me on track in terms of movement. I stayed in the hospital for three days and went home on day four after my procedure. Once I was home, I stopped taking all narcotic pain medications and, instead, alternated between hospital doses of Advil and Tylenol.

 

I also relied heavily on pillows, lots and lots of pillows, that helped prop me up and keep me comfortable while sitting or lying down. I highly recommend a wedge pillow for ease of getting in and out of bed.

Peyton and nurse pre op_1

My biggest tip is to move as much as possible during the day, especially if you feel yourself getting uncomfortable, and even during the night when you wake up to take medicine. It helps the muscles in your back not stiffen up so much as your body gets use to the new you. My recovery was just as my surgery, completely complication free. For this I will be forever grateful.

I believe that choosing to get spinal fusion surgery is the best decision I will ever make for myself. I know that’s a huge statement, but I whole-heartedly stand by it. My body is far better aligned now. Clothing fits me better. I am no longer self-conscious about the physical aspects of scoliosis, and as a matter of fact, I’m quite proud of my scar! It has been amazing to see how my body has changed and adjusted to how it’s supposed to be post-surgery. Physically, I can do absolutely anything I could before, other than pulling elite cheerleading body positions or yoga positions that require a lot of back arch flexibility.

To the entire staff at Scottish Rite Hospital, the gratitude I have for you is difficult to communicate. Thank you for giving me a body that will be physically capable of doing absolutely anything that I want to do for the rest of my life.
I celebrate two years since my surgery today, June 15, 2018!

 

Do you have a story? We want to hear it! Share your story with us.