Pursuing Ballet and Dance Dreams After Scoliosis Surgery

July 23, 2013 -- email to Dr. Hey w photo from mom.

Hello Dr Hey

 Just a quick update on my daughter Haley. I can't believe it's been 2 and 1/2 years since her surgery. 

She was initially concerned that the surgery would negatively impact her dancing but in a few short weeks she'll be heading off to the North Carolina School of the Arts for her final 2 years of high school.

I was very nervous taking her to the audition since their ballet program is very competitive. I even suggested she cover her back so no one would make assumptions. But no one noticed her limited flexibility or the 12 inch scar, they only noticed her passion. Scoliosis and the surgery haven't stopped her from following her dreams.

We will always be great full for you and your staff and feel blessed by her positive outcome.

Sincerely,

Lisa C -- Haley's mom 

Haley's mom emailed me last night with this photo and update on her daughter Haley, and gave her permission to share this with all of you..  We often get the question from adolescent scoliosis parents:  "Will scoliosis surgery stop my son or daughter from pursuing her dream to  ... dance, play lacrosse, play soccer,  swim competitively, play college sports, go to Broadway.... you name it.  The answer in virtually all cases is "No, he or she should be able to pursue those dreams and remain very active through life.  

Thanks for sharing Lisa!  Dr. Lloyd Hey, Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery

Neal, back to kayaking and enjoying life again after spondylolisthesis surgery

I got back this week to doing spine surgery again after a nice week off last week, including some kayaking, and reconnecting to family.  So far this week we've done scoliosis and kyphosis surgeries on several patients, ranging in age from 11, 16, 17.... all the way up to age 67, who needed a complex anterior/posterior scoliosis and kyphosis reconstruction along with osteotomies and laminectomies!!    She was quite a "pretzel", and really suffering bent over and to the side, and barely able to walk.

 We also helped a 26 yo woman from Fort Worth, TX who came here with painful spinal hardware put in about 12 years ago.  She is a very thin young lady, and the hook hardware was quite bulky.  Her hardware was removed, and had a robust fusion.  She heads back to Texas tomorrow.  One of our teenage kyphosis young ladies went home today about 2 inches taller and very happy with her new posture!  Our 11 yo patient is a "rock star" over at WakeMed Children's Hospital walking the floors postop day 2, anxious to go home tomorrow.  Our summer research projects are going well with 3 summer interns working along, as well as many visitors / mentorees.  Never a dull moment.

We've also seen a bunch of second opinion consultations this week on children, adolescents and adults with scoliosis, to discuss whether or not to pursue scoliosis bracing, vs. alternative methods vs. surgery.

Our 17 yo scoliosis young man that we straightened up today did great and gave me a big "Thank You" this evening --  with about a dozen people in his room, including I believe half of his church youth group!

 I got a chance to meet all of them, pictured below, right after the surgery.  What a support group!  Apparently their friends and neighbors put up signs on this young man's lawn yesterday to wish him well .... that is just awesome!

Got the following nice note from a gentleman who runs a  chamber of commerce here in North Carolina that I performed a lumbar spondylolisthesis surgery on about a year ago, doing great, finally back to the quality of life he wanted to enjoy including kayaking!!!  Thanks for your note, Neal and photo of you with your kayak.

"Dr. Hey,

What a week it has been at Atlantic Beach.  Many miles a day walking,
biking and kayaking.  I am doing things I thought I would never do
again.  I even put the kayak in and out of the water by myself!  Every
day I am thankful for miraculous healing and for your work. -- Neal "

Time now to get some rest.  Big clinic day tomorrow.

Hope you are all doing well.

Dr. Lloyd Hey

Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery

http://www.heyclinic.com

quick update.... second opinions for scoliosis bracing.

It's been quite a while since I've taken a breather to sit down and write a blog post, but things have been going well with plenty of interesting families passing through our doors at Hey Clinic, and over at Duke Raleigh Hospital and WakeMed Children's Hospital.

The past several weeks, we've been focusing mostly on adolescent and early onset scoliosis surgeries with kids being out for summer.  We've also done scoliosis surgery on a 24 yo woman school teacher who is also out for the summer, who had a painful collapsing kyphoscoliosis.  Recently it seems I've seen quite a few younger guests and their parents doing second opinions for scoliosis bracing, as well as some for surgery as well, including a few for potential revision scoliosis surgery.  As we've shared in the past, I think it is important to make sure your adolescent is not only included in the scoliosis brace decision, but actually is fully aware of the long-term, daily 18 hour a day minimum requirement, that could last for several years.  At the end of the day, the adolescent also has to realize that the brace is not a guarantee that the curve will not progress, and it will not improve with the brace.  Surgery may still be necessary down the line.  Taking time to go over the choice is a good idea!

More later,
Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
http://www.heyclinic.com