Surgeons Set Straight Spine of African Girl

A 10-year-old girl flew in from Djibouti with a deformed spine that restricted her height to 123 cms. After a life saving critical surgery here, she stands tall at 140 cms, cheerful and confident of facing the world.

No! This is not any cosmetic surgery or a magical cure! The dramatic change came about due to the efforts of a multi-disciplinary team of medical professionals - surgeons, paediatricians, cardiac specialists, anesthesiasts and others - at the Mumbai-based Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre who set straight the girl's life-threatening curved spine.

In medical lingo, the abnormal curvature of a person's spine is called thoracolumbar scoliosis.

Three weeks back, the bright fifth grade student (name not disclosed) from Djibouti - a country in the Horn of Africa - came to the spine clinic at Reliance Foundation.

She had a deformed spine and a hump on the right side of her back. She could not stand erect.

"Her parents noticed the spinal deformity three years back. The deformity resulted in a severe imbalance in her posture. She also complained of short breath while running," Kshitij Chaudhary, one of the surgeons who operated upon her, told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

What added to the parents' worry is the death of the girl's grand-aunt at the age of 40 due to complications related to untreated scoliosis.

The doctors found that the girl from Africa had severe right sided thoracolumbar scoliosis with trunk decompensation. There was a significant right sided rib hump. Neurological examination was normal.

"Many Indian hospitals turned her away owing to the complications involved in the surgery," Chaudhary said.

The X-rays showed that the thoracolumbar scoliosis curve or spinal curvature measured 125 degrees with an associated kyphosis (excessive out ward curve that causes hunch) of 85 degrees.

"We advised surgery as her life span in her current condition would be only around 40 years as such large curves impacts the functioning of the lungs and the heart," Chaudhary said.

However, the surgery was not simple like opening the back and straightening the spine and closing it back.

"The pulmonary function test showed she already had restricted lung function that was 66 percent of normal. Echocardiogram showed a patent foramen ovale (hole in the heart). The MRI did not reveal any spinal cord anomalies," he said.

According to him, it was the first time the hole in the girl's heart was discovered.

While the go ahead signal was given by the pediatric cardiac services team, a detail plan for the surgery and post-operative care was chalked out after going into minute details.

As the patient would be required to be woken up during the surgery (wake up test), her father's voice recording for some instructions was made.

"She was woken up once during the surgery. She will not feel the pain but would be able to hear as to what she has to do," Chaudhary said.

"We also used the cell saver technology to minimise the blood loss and infuse back the blood that came out during the surgery. So the total blood loss was minimal. Nearly 50 percent of the blood loss was saved and there was no blood transfusion."

According to him, as two surgeons did the surgery - Chaudhary and Arjun Dhawale - the blood loss was less and the surgery time was also cut short by nearly an hour.

The spinal osteotomies or the spinal reconstructive procedures were done at the apex of the deformity for better correction.

Rigid contoured rods were connected to the pedicle screws and good correction was achieved.

As a consequence, she woke up after the surgery with intact neurological function.

Chaudhary said the Djibouti girl can lead a normal life like anyone else.

"Currently physiotherapy exercises are being given to her and her improvement is steady and good," he said.

On the hole in the heart, he said the cardiac specialists felt it will not create any problem and there was no need for any surgery to close the hole.

"There is certainly a change in the girl's attitude. She is now more confident," Chaudhary said.

Source : The New Indian Express, 24th Feb 2016 

Cheerleader’s heroic triumph over spinal deformity

This English teen thought she might never dance again after finding out she had severe scoliosis, but a miracle bionic backbone has changed her life.

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Steele underwent a six-hour procedure in which doctors fused her spine using dozens of titanium rods to straighten it.

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Vikki Steele, a 19-year-old from Solihull, West Midlands in England, was just an average 16-year-old girl who loved to dance three years ago when she started having intense shoulder pain.

An X-ray revealed that she had a curved spine, which had morphed into the shape of an “S” with the vertebrae curving at a 47-degree angle, and that she would need surgery.

“I was so scared I would never be able to dance or do cheerleading in the future,” she told Caters News Agency.

She underwent a six-hour procedure in which doctors fused her spine using dozens of titanium rods to straighten it.

“Thankfully it went well and now I’m dancing and cheerleading, which is amazing,” she said. “My new bionic spine has only stopped me from doing certain cheerleading moves like a backbend, for example, but I have no problems with doing high kicks and even the splits.”

Steele is now studying psychology at the University of Southampton, where she is also a cheerleader.

“At first I was really nervous becoming part of the cheer squad as I worried that they might ask me to do things I’m not able to,” she said. “But having gone back to dance after my surgery so easily, I was quite confident in my abilities and people are always really nice if I ever need to explain that I can’t do something.”

Source : NYPOST , 25th Feb 2016 

Mumbai surgeons set straight teen’s spine

For Hafsa Ansari, 15-year-old daughter of a farmer from Aurangabad, life was difficult as she was suffering from adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

It is a condition that leads to abnormal curvature of the spine. Hafsa couldn’t even stand straight. However, a city-based hospital operated upon her at a low cost budget that helped her to stand straight on her feet.

Her spine was in S-shape and had 80-degree curve in the mid-back and a 68-degree curve in the low back. She had problem walking and writing also. The parents noticed their daughter’s deformity when she was 10-year-old and since then, had consulted an orthopaedic surgeon. However, the deformity progressed rapidly.

“The parents approached us but they were not so strong economically to afford the surgery, so we made concession in the budget,” said Dr Gautam Zaveri, spine surgeon at Jaslok Hospital. The surgery generally costs Rs 8 lakh but for her, we did it for Rs 3 lakh. The surgery was done in two stages. Her chest was initially opened and the spine was made more flexible by removing some of the intervertebral discs in her mid-back. The curve was also partially corrected using rods and screws. The chest was closed. Then her back was operated to correct her curves to leave 12-degree curve at both locations bringing the shoulders to the same level, and reducing the rib hump.

“The patient has recovered completely who is now going to school and soon she can also play,” said Mr Zaveri.

Source : The Asian Age , 27th Feb 2016 

Bionic backbone helps 19-year-old with severe scoliosis cheer again

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This English teen thought she might never dance again after finding out she had severe scoliosis, but a miracle bionic backbone has changed her life.

Vikki Steele, a 19-year-old from Solihull, West Midlands in England, was just an average 16-year-old girl who loved to dance three years ago when she started having intense shoulder pain.

An X-ray revealed that she had a curved spine, which had morphed into the shape of an “S” with the vertebrae curving at a 47-degree angle, and that she would need surgery.

“I was so scared I would never be able to dance or do cheerleading in the future,” she told Caters News Agency.

She underwent a six-hour procedure in which octors fused her spine using dozens of titanium rods to straighten it.

“Thankfully it went well and now I’m dancing and cheerleading, which is amazing,” she said. “My new bionic spine has only stopped me from doing certain cheerleading moves like a backbend, for example, but I have no problems with doing high kicks and even the splits.”

2 years ago today I had a 6 and 1/2 hour operation on my spine putting in two metal rods and 19 screws! Glad I was so determined to still do everything I want!

Source : FOX News , 26th Feb 2016 

Fewer screws in treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis may reduce cost and increase safety

Researchers found a reduction in the number of screws by 3.2 per patient undergoing surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis could decrease national adolescent idiopathic scoliosis hospitalization costs by up to 7%.

Researchers used a medical decision model with sensitivity analysis to analyze the potential cost savings of using fewer pedicle screws inadolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery. The researchers conducted a descriptive analysis and explored annual costs for 5,710 AIS inpatient stays using discharge data from the 2009 Kids’ Inpatient Database (Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality), a national all-payer inpatient database. The total cost for the inpatient AIS stays was $278 million in 2009, which represents a cost of $48,900 per patient.

Researchers assumed all inpatient stays represented 10-level fusions with pedicle screws for AIS, with high screw density defined as 1.8 screws per levels and standard screw density defined as 1.48 screws per levels fused. Researchers estimated that changing from high-density screws to a standard pattern would result in $10 million to $18 million in health care savings from implant costs.

“By including the costs of the predicted 21 to 88 averted surgical returns due to malpositioned screws, this would reduce costs by $11 million to $20 million annually. This would effectively reduce the total U.S. cost of AIS surgery by 4% to 7%. If even fewer screws were used, this would obviously result in greater potential cost savings,” researchers wrote in the study.

Researchers noted additional research is needed to determine whether low implant density screws can provide equivalent results. – by Robert Linnehan

Larson AN, et al. J Neurosurg Spine. 2016;doi:10.3171/2015.4.SPINE131119.

Source : Healio, 26th Feb 2016 

Rod implants make 11-year-old a ‘Bionic Boy’ – and a pioneer

HIGHLIGHTS : 

Anthony Wainess first in the U.S. to undergo special medical procedure for severe scoliosis

Magnetic rods in his back are lengthened via remote control

Recent bullying incident could put implants at risk

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article60327671.html#storylink=cpy

Anthony Wainess, 11, of Squaw Valley smiles during a lull in slot car racing Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016 in Clovis, Calif. Anthony is the first person in the United States to have experimental spine implants in his back to help with severe scoliosis. 

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article60327671.html#storylink=cpy

Anthony Wainess will be quick to tell you that he’s the Bionic Boy. But unlike other 11-year-olds who may claim they’re Batman or Superman, Anthony is telling the truth.

He really does have artificial body parts, and like the tiny slot cars he races for fun, he, too, can be remote-controlled.

In 2013, Anthony, who lives in Squaw Valley, became the first person in the United States to undergo a procedure that implants magnetic titanium rods into the back to correct severe scoliosis. The rods are lengthened by remote control over time so that they grow along with Anthony’s bones as he ages.

The procedure – for which the U.S Food and Drug Administration granted Anthony special approval before officially approving it last year – is designed to avoid numerous surgeries often required for early onset scoliosis, a rare form of the spine-curving disease that can interfere with lung function and can be fatal.

“I don’t feel the rods inside of me, but I feel them when they’re doing the extensions. It doesn’t hurt; it just feels like something’s moving inside of you, basically,” Anthony said.

“I can tell the difference. My back feels a lot straighter. Before, my back was really curved so I was always, like, slanted to the side. I wasn’t really ever straight when I stood up, and I could feel that all the time, so it was kind of frustrating.”

Anthony’s not at all shy about what he has gone through. His fellow students at Dunlap Elementary School have seen the X-rays – two bright lines shining through his skeleton where the metal is positioned. He recently put on a tuxedo and traveled with his family to Newport Beach, where he stood before hundreds of adults to talk about his experience at a conference hosted by Ellipse Technologies, the company that created the procedure.

WE WERE READY TO SELL EVERYTHING WE HAD AND MOVE OUT OF THE COUNTRY TO WHERE THEY WERE DOING THE SURGERY.

Anthony’s father, Steven Wainess

But with his differences comes challenges. Anthony is fragile – literally. The special rods in his back have broken more than once. That’s why last month, when his father, Steven Wainess, received a call that Anthony had been attacked by another student at school, he was more upset than most parents.

“They started talking about how his foot and his leg was hurting and he was bruised, and the only thing that was going through my mind was, ‘What did this do to his rods?’ ” Wainess said.

“It’s one thing to have a bruise and have it go away, but to have to go through another major surgery – it’s painful and expensive and time-consuming. It’s still on my brain. I still don’t know if the incident resulted in some kind of fracture or could cause screws to come loose.”

Wainess filed a police report against the student who allegedly attacked his son. Anthony blacked out during the altercation, and Wainess worries he will have problems going forward. What if something else happens and he has to undergo another surgery?

The procedure is something for which Anthony’s parents had long hoped. Dr. Behrooz Akbarnia, medical director of the San Diego Center for Spinal Disorders, ultimately agreed to become the first U.S. doctor to lead the surgery.

“The procedure was a huge thing for us,” Steven Wainess said. “In law school, they told us never be the first to do anything. We had so many emotions about it, but we were really desperate. We were ready to sell everything we had and move out of the country to where they were doing the surgery,” he said. “We just want to make sure he’s going to be OK.”

Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera is the only hospital to offer the service in Central and Northern California, according to spokeswoman Zara Arboleda.

“As soon as the FDA approved it, we were the first to do it (in the Valley). It was important for Valley Children’s to bring in this cutting-edge technology, because it is a minimally invasive procedure that gets kids back on their feet quicker,” she said.

“Before, the only way to do these types of corrective procedures on a child’s spine was to cut them open – sometimes as frequently as every six months. This means less stays in the hospital and less risk to their health.”

Mackenzie Mays: 559-441-6412, @MackenzieMays

Source : Fresnobe, 14th Feb 2016 

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article60327671.html#storylink=cpy

Cervical and lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis in 8, 11 and 15-year-old children

Abstract

In a sample of 125 boys and girls registered at 8, 11 and 15 years of age the curvature of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine was studied. Cervical lordosis was calculated from the second, fourth and sixth vertebra on lateral skull radiographs. Thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis were measured using a kyphometer. The results showed a decrease in the cervical lordosis and an increase in thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis with increasing age in both sexes. In order to eliminate the systematic effects of sex and age a multiple stepwise regression analysis providing residuals corrected for the above mentioned variables was employed. When the entire sample was analysed again a highly significant correlation between thoracic and lumbar curvature was obtained. An almost significant, negative correlation was found between the inclination of the lower part of the cervical spine to a true vertical and the thoracic curvature. An almost significant correlation was also obtained between the inclination of the upper and lower part of the cervical spine to a true vertical, however no correlation was found between thoracic kyphosis and cervical lordosis. An almost significant, negative correlation was furthermore found between the upper part of the cervical spine and the lumbar spine.



Source : European Journal of Orthodontics 

STAGE I POSTERIOR OSTEOTOMY AND INSTRUMENTATION AND STAGE II ANTERIOR DEBRIDEMENT AND BONE GRAFTING FOR LUMBAR SPINAL TUBERCULOSIS WITH SEVERE KYPHOSIS.

Stage I posterior osteotomy and instrumentation and stage II anterior debridement and bone grafting for lumbar spinal tuberculosis with severe kyphosis.

Int J Clin Exp Med. 2015;8(11):20890-6

Authors: Deng Q, Zhang Y, Sheng W

Abstract


The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of stage I posterior osteotomy and instrumentation followed by stage II anterior debridement and bone grafting in patients with lumbar spinal tuberculosis (TB) with severe kyphosis. The records of patients with lumbar spinal TB and severe kyphosis treated with 2-stage surgery at our hospital from 2005 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcome measures were kyphosis correction rate, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) spinal cord injury and sensation function scores. A total of 53 patients (34 male, 19 female; mean age 32 years) were included. The number of involved kyphosis segments ranged from 7 to 14, and the average preoperative kyphosis angle was 107.3 ± 18.1°. All procedures were performed without serious complications. The average follow-up time was 42 months. Bone fusion occurred at a range of 6 to 9 months after surgery, and none of the patients had internal fixation failure, position change, or pseudoarthrosis. The mean postoperative kyphosis angle was 29.4 ± 12.4°, with a mean improvement of 77.9°, and the correction rate was 72.6% (P < 0.001). At final follow-up, average correction loss was 1.35°. The mean postoperative VAS pain score was 2.4 ± 0.8, and the change from the preoperative value was significant (P < 0.001). ASIA spinal injury scores were increased postoperatively. Stage I posterior osteotomy and instrumentation followed by stage II anterior debridement and bone grafting can achieve good results in patients with lumbar TB and severe kyphosis.



Source : London Spine, 18th Feb 2016 

Less than three years after scoliosis surgery, Silver Bay's Yoki to ski at state

Haley Yoki, a senior on the Cook County-Silver Bay girls ski team, will compete in today’s state championship 

meet at Giants Ridge in Biwabik less than three years after an eight-hour operation to correct scoliosis.

Josephine “Fiina” Yoki and her daughter, Haley, were enjoying their family sauna in Silver Bay three years ago when Haley bent over to pick up an object.

“I was like, ‘Whoa. Bend over again,’ ” Fiina Yoki recalled.

Haley Yoki had two large humps, one on her upper-left shoulder and one on her lower-right back. She had severe scoliosis, causing her spine to curve into an S. She underwent major surgery to correct her condition, and now, 30 months later, the results are inspiring.

Yoki, a senior captain, will compete today in the Minnesota Alpine ski meet at Giants Ridge in Biwabik as a member of the state-qualifying Cook County-Silver Bay Vikings girls.

“Last year I was a little more nervous, I was a little more attentive to it, thinking if I fell I would hurt my back,” Yoki said. “I don’t even worry about it anymore. It’s definitely amazing.”

Surgery needed

According to the National Scoliosis Foundation, scoliosis affects 2 percent to 3 percent of the population, or about 6 to 9 million Americans. The primary age of onset is 10 to 15 years old, occurring equally among genders, but females are eight times more likely to have it progress to the point where it requires treatment.

Yoki has a history of scoliosis in her family, with it afflicting both her mother and aunt. Despite Fiina’s discovery in the sauna, they waited until after the ski season before getting her checked out. While Haley noticed it was becoming more difficult to sit in class without getting cramps, she was never in great pain.

“I wasn’t too concerned,” Fiina Yoki said. “I was thinking she would just have to get a back brace or maybe some orthotics in her shoe. I didn’t expect them to say she needed surgery. I did not expect it to be as bad as it was. I never expected it to look the way it looked. I was quite shocked.”

X-rays were astonishing. Haley’s spine twisted like a snake. She had a 45-degree curve in her upper spine and a 57-degree curve in her lower spine, past the 50-degree surgery standard. And without surgery, it’d only get worse, in particular because she was still growing.

After doing her due diligence researching the subject, Fiina Yoki said surgery was a “no-brainer” as she didn’t want her daughter crunched up like an accordion when she was older. She tried to calm her daughter on the hour drive from Silver Bay to Duluth, with her husband, Lee, joining them later.

Haley underwent an eight-hour surgery in June 2013 with Dr. David Gordon, an Essentia Health pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Gordon fused 13 vertebrae while inserting two cobalt-chrome rods and titanium screws to hold her spine in place.

“Of all scoliosis, less than 10 percent ever requires any surgery,” Gordon said. “She was obviously a little worried and discouraged when she had the diagnosis made, as it had progressed to the point where we needed to do an operation. It’s a family concern. It’s obviously a big operation with some potential problems that are serious.”

‘Rock star’ returns to full speed

Haley also was missing a set of ribs and a vertebra, abnormalities that often correlate with spinal deformity. She actually grew, from 5-foot-1 to 5-3, after having her spine straightened. She was in great pain after surgery as her muscles cramped up, trying to get back in the position they were before.

“It was pretty rough,” Haley said. “I had a morphine button that I kept wanting to press.”

Despite the pain, she proved to be a quick healer. Almost too quick.

“I had to rein her in, I can tell you that,” Gordon said. “She was really motivated to get back to all her activities. Most of us who do this kind of surgery aren’t thrilled about kids who want to go ski racing. We want them to get back to normal life, for sure, but ski racing isn’t normal for everyone.”

While others stayed in the hospital for a week, Haley went home on the fifth day. Gordon told her that she would feel like she wanted to do stuff but would have to be smart and use restraint. There was a procedure to follow, but this girl only knows one speed.

“She’s a little rock star, really,” Fiina Yoki said.

That summer, while all her friends played outside, Haley spent much of her time in bed or on the couch. She had two sets of school books, one for school and one for home, and friends carried them for her. She took her sophomore year off from volleyball and ski racing but was back competing her junior year.

Fiina Yoki cringed the first time her daughter dove across the volleyball court going for a dig.

“She was diving all over the floor,” Fiina said. “I thought that couldn’t be good for the back, but she was fine. She just popped right back up.”

Risks vs. rewards

Haley has been skiing since she was 2. Her parents and grandparents are ski patrols at Lutsen. Skiing is intertwined with the North Shore, and it’s something so dear to her that she can’t give it up. It’s part of her life.

Gordon understands this, but part of his job is being honest and warning patients of the risks. Because Haley has a spine fusion, she has to live with an increased risk for serious spinal injury. Ski racing is part of weighing the risks vs. the rewards.

“A really aggressive downhill ski run, with a bad collision we could see on TV, with kids doing 60 mph, that could cause a significant injury to her spine,” Gordon said. “Even a bad car accident could do that. Haley knows and understands this, but she can’t live in fear, and we don’t want her to do that. Ultimately, you ask yourself, do you run the red light or not? That’s the way life is. It’s a balance and a compromise.

“I’ve discussed all of this with her and her family, but you’re not going to slow this child down. She’s just a great kid.”

The stage was set at the Section 7 Alpine ski meet last week at Giants Ridge. After the first run, the Vikings were in first place, but coach Charles Lamb fibbed, telling them if it were a football game, they were down by touchdown. He wanted them focused for the second and final run, with the top four skiers factoring into the team results.

The Vikings’ three fastest skiers, Reilly Wahlers, Sela Backstrom and Alyssa Martinson, all had strong second runs. Lamb then went to the starting ramp to see Yoki off, and she was the same old Haley, positive and joking and hiding any nervousness. Then off she went.

“Haley has been a joy to coach,” Lamb said. “Not once, but twice during races in the last five years, a gate has broken her chin bar and slapped her in the lips and face, drawing blood. She was lucky she didn’t lose a tooth or worse. She came into the finish arena in tears, but she finished both those race runs, and that speaks to how tough she is.”

Lamb didn’t rest easy until an assistant coach reported that Haley looked good completing her second run. Yoki’s 24th-place finish sealed the Vikings’ first section victory since 2011 and a trip to state, only the skiers initially didn’t know it. Tension built as the team results were read off, starting from the bottom.

“Our girls had no clue it was coming,” Lamb said. “It was quite a moment when they had not announced our school yet, and then they announced Stillwater as the runner-up. It was priceless. Our girls were still wrapping their heads around what was about to happen. I wish we would have had a video camera on them, as the rest is history.”

History that Yoki was grateful to be a part of.

Yoki has a 3.0 grade-point average and plans to study nursing at Lake Superior College, a field she has already learned more than her share of from her time in the hospital. While she had to give up a year of her life and the things she loves to do, she didn’t have to give it all up.

“Skiing has always been something I’ve enjoyed doing, and I’ll probably do it for life,” Yoki said. “It’s one of the most fun things you can do. It’s a stress reliever, because you get going so fast. There is still a little part of me that wishes I hadn’t missed that year, but to be where I’m at right now, I feel pretty amazing about it. Now, if I’m going through the course and think I’m going to fall, my back is no longer the first thing I think about.”

Source : Duluth News Tribune , 9th Feb 2016 

Researchers Develop a Superelastic Adaptive Titanium Alloy That Could Improve the Success Rate of Early-onset Scoliosis Treatment

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a new titanium shape memory alloy that could improve the success rates and significantly reduce the complications of conventional treatments utilizing spinal screw and rod systems for early-onset scoliosis.

Scoliosis is defined as a sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during a person's growth spurt just prior to puberty. Such a condition can eventually lead to severe physical deformity in addition to pulmonary and cardiac problems. Early-onset scoliosis refers to spine deformity that is present before a person is of 10 years of age.

Children diagnosed with early-onset scoliosis often spend their childhood undergoing multiple surgical procedures to amend the unnatural curve in their spine. In conventional surgical procedures, spine surgeons implant metallic growing rods in the spine and expand them in bi-annual surgeries to keep pace with the child's growth. However, as the child's body grows/moves, a deviation between the mechanical properties of the implants and the bone becomes apparent. This deviation frequently results in complications like implant loosening, bone atrophy from stress shielding, and bone disease near implant extremities. These complications increase the likelihood that the child will need to undergo further complicated surgical procedures to correct or repair the damage such complications can create.

Using a series of thermo-mechanical processing steps, the researchers developed a superelastic adaptive titanium alloy that preserves the strength and adds flexibility to the implants without compromising the mechanical properties. The new implant allows the natural movement of the body to occur as it can self-adjust depending on the stress applied by the growing spine.

The alloy permits its rods to bend at the ends and stay stiff in the middle as it is 5x more flexible than any other currently available rod system and possesses stress-dependent elastic properties that gradually decrease as the stress on it is increased. This reduces the friction and stress on the patient's spine allotting them more natural movement.

Furthermore, the research team has designed the adaptive alloy to have bio-inert constituents, less sensitivity to impurities and inclusions, better corrosion resistance, more stable fatigue response and predictable fatigue life.



Source : Health Point Capital , 10th Feb 2016 

Bionic 'curvy girl' Sam Hansen bounces back after scoliosis surgery

In June last year, 14-year-old Sam Hansen grew 10cm overnight and became instantly taller than her big sister.

Fourteen-year-old Sam Hansen grew 10cm overnight, after undergoing surgery to correct scoliosis.

Right before her surgery, Franklin teenager Sam Hansen had a 70 degree curve in her spine.

Hansen grew 10cm after two metal rods with 17 screws were fastened to her spine.

The Tuakau College pupil underwent surgery at Middlemore Hospital to correct a curve in her spine caused by adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

And now the tall teen is embracing her extra height - which will help in her future plans to become a model.

Sam's curvy spine was first discovered in June 2014, as she bent to pick something up off the floor.

"It was winter and she hit puberty and went into big, baggy clothes," said her mum Kim.

"She bent over in front of me one day and we saw her ribs sticking up. She pulled up her shirt and it was like 'oh crap.'"

So it was straight to the doctor and then the chiropractor.

"The chiropractor noticed that there was a curve and that my back was twisted as well," Sam said.

"It had happened during my growth spurt."

The condition can be genetic and Kim said she had also been diagnosed with a mild scoliosis, that didn't require treatment.

In August 2014, x-rays showed Sam's spine was already at a 55 degree curve.

Sam's doctors told her they would need to operate.

"Otherwise it would get worse and could start to crush [my organs]," Sam said.

Even lying in bed at night was causing Sam a lot of pain, as her ribs had rotated.

"I'd have to lie on a certain side because my shoulder was pushed forwards; and if I was lying down for too long I'd get a really sore shoulder." 

On June 18, 2015, Sam went into surgery for six hours where two metal rods with 17 screws were fastened to her spine.

She spent a week in hospital, where she slowly got back on her feet.

Kim said it was amazing to see her daughter fully recovered.

Less than a year post-surgery and Sam has been given the all-clear from doctors. The "bionic curvy girl", as Kim calls her, is now able to do anything she wants.

"The curve is now just 20 degrees - which a lot of people live with, without even realising," Kim said.

"As a mum you see them suffer and missing out on doing so many things - so to be able to be a typical teenager again..."

Kim said she was incredibly proud as she recently watched her daughter bounce on the trampoline - even performing a back landing.

"That part of her body is the strongest part of her now. It's phenomenal."

Source : Stuff , 12th Feb 2016 

Are there more complications with magnetic growing rods for early scoliosis? 5 key notes

A new study published in The Spine Journal examines whether there are fewer complications in surgery with magnetic growing rods than conventional growing rods.

The study authors examined 37 patients with early onset scoliosis who received either magnetic-controlled growth rods or the conventional growing rod. There were 10 patients who had magnetic-controlled growing rods and 27 who had the conventional growing rods.

Here are five key notes:

1. There were 29 patients, 76 percent, who reported at least one complication.

2. The magnetic-controlled growing rod patients reported a higher complication rate than the control group—0.32 complications per year per patient compared with 15 complications per year per patient.

3. The magnetic-controlled growing rod was associated with lower deep infection risk and fewer superficial infections.

4. There was a higher risk of metalwork problems in the magnetic-controlled growing rod group as well as more unplanned returns to the theatre.

5. The researchers concluded that while there was a lower rate of deep and superficial infections among the magnetic-controlled growing rod group, the patients in that group didn't completely avoid repeated invasive surgical procedures.


Source : Beckers Spine , 5th Feb 2016 

‘I fear it’s going to take a child to die before they act’

THIS TIME LAST year Deirdre McDonnell was getting used to media attention.

The Louth woman became the first adult to undergo surgery to insert a magnetic rod in her back in a bid to partially reverse the effects of scoliosis.

The condition causes an abnormal curve of the spine.

Source: Deirdre McDonnell

In January 2014, Deirdre was told she had ten years to live. That’s when she knew she needed to take drastic action.

“My internal organs were starting to be crushed,” she recalls.

Deirdre (35) had stage one respiratory failure and 30% lung capacity. She was prone to bouts of pneumonia, chest infections and pleurisy.

My surgeon knew how bad I was. We had to weigh up the benefits and the risks. I thought, ‘I either die trying or I’m going to die anyway’.

Her surgeon, Dr Patrick Kiely, wrote to the HSE and received funding for the ‘Magec Rod’ operation – which costs in the region of €20,000.

“The difference between before and after is huge, but the damage is done and it can’t be undone,” Deirdre notes.

X-ray before and after surgerySource: Deirdre McDonnell

Her organs now have “slightly more room” but her lung function is still just 35%.

“My lungs will be damaged for the rest of my life.”

Post-surgery, she has “one or two more stretches to get done” before she has a full spinal fusion.

Deirdre also has tachycardia – an abnormally fast heart rate, neuropathy in one foot, and has been on a waiting list for over two years to see an neurologist.

Despite this, she remains positive. “I’m coping well and doing very, very well.”

Waiting lists 

Deirdre says she went public with her story to show how bad scoliosis can get, but also to show that there is hope for patients.

She’s frustrated that, one year on, some children with scoliosis are waiting up to 15 months to see a consultant.

A Straight Ahead fundraiserSource: Deirdre McDonnell

Earlier this month, RTÉ reported that over 250 children with scoliosis are either waiting on an operation to fix a spinal curvature or waiting to see a consultant.

There are 164 children waiting for surgery, primarily at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, but about 20 at Temple Street Children’s University Hospital.

Deirdre says she was “unbelievably shocked” about how long the waiting lists are.

She notes that this wasn’t really an issue when she was a child. However, doctors were afraid to operate on her in case they damaged her spinal cord.

“When I was a child the waiting lists were not an issue, it was more that surgeons were terrified to touch me because of my spinal cord. They were afraid they’d leave me worse off, that they’d put me in a wheelchair.

I don’t think anybody realises how bad [scoliosis] can get. I feel it’s going to take a child to die before they turn around and say ‘Oh shit’.

Straight Ahead

Kiely launched Straight Ahead in 2011, with the aim of helping time-critical cases of children who are in danger of deterioration while on waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery.

Since then the charity has completed 50 life-changing surgeries for children who urgently required operations as a result of severe orthopaedic deformities. Straight Ahead is a affiliated with the Children’s Medical & Research Foundation, and most of its operations are carried out Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin.

The charity is resourced through fundraising, donations and voluntary labour.

Patrick and Deirdre at a Straight Ahead fundraiser.Source: Deirdre McDonnell

New theatre

A spokesperson the Children’s Hospital Group told TheJournal.ie there has been “significant progress achieved in the management of the spinal surgery waiting list in the last year”.

In 2015, 133 scoliosis surgeries were carried out, which is 51% more than in 2014. That included 67 in Crumlin with a further 66 being outsourced. A further 39 patients from the Crumlin waiting list have been transferred to either the Blackrock Clinic or to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital at Stanmore for treatment over the coming weeks.

Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and the Children’s Hospital Group are working with the HSE and the Department of Health in identifying and progressing options to address the waiting times for spinal surgery. This includes both financial and capital investment.

“The financial investment will allow for the recruitment of an additional two orthopaedic consultant posts and additional support staff dedicated to improving access. A new HSE-funded orthopaedic theatre is due for completion at the hospital by April of this year and a project manager with a specific remit for orthopaedic services has also been appointed to support the team.

Deirdre says she hopes enough staff are taken on to run the theatre.

“My biggest fear is a child is going to die or end up with severe respiratory or heart problems. It all can be avoided if the HSE would just pay for surgery right now.”



Source : The Journal , 1st Feb 2016