Scoliosis surgery: from tears to smiles

Fifteen-year-old Taylor Gomes approached her pre-operative appointment for scoliosis surgery as many teens might—in tears. “She came out of the appointment smiling. Not many people have that effect on Taylor,” says her mother Holly Gomes of Danvers, Mass. Holly credits Taylor’s orthopedic surgeon Michael Glotzbecker, MD, of Boston Children’s Hospital’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery, with her daughter’s 180-degree shift in attitude. A local pediatrician diagnosed Taylor with scoliosis when she was 8 years old, and measured her curve annually with back x-rays during her well-child appointments. By the time Taylor turned 14, her curve had progressed, and her pediatrician knew it was time to refer to a specialist at Boston Children’s. Enter Glotzbecker, who reviewed the teen’s options with the family. Initially, they opted to try a brace to prevent the curve from progressing. However, Taylor isn’t your average scoliosis patient. In addition to her spinal curve, Taylor’s health is compromised by anxiety, which flares up when she feels confined. She was unable to comply with the brace; after the initial fitting, it sat in her closet. By February 2013, Taylor’s curve had progressed to 55 degrees, and x-rays indicated she was still growing, which meant it was likely that the curve would worsen as her height increased. “I was overwhelmed,” confesses Taylor, who now admits to major anxiety before surgery. Glotzbecker encouraged the teen to email him with ...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: All posts Department of Orthopedic Surgery MD Michael Glotzbecker our patients' stories scoliosis Source Type: news