How can we care for scoliosis and kyphosis and spondylolisthesis better with conservative care like physical therapy, high-tech scoliosis braces, exercise and other techniques? What can be done to improve surgical care, and understand choices for surgery, learning from those around the world? How can we learn from aviation and from Deming's principles of "Standard Work" to constantly improve spine and all healthcare?
A few months ago, we had the opportunity to care for a brother and sister, Ava and Luca, who had progressive adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and early onset scoliosis (EOS) -- both of whom had rapidly progressive curves over 50 degrees and growing. This morning I received an email from their parents that the two of them actually created their own movie, interviewing each other about their experience. We'll see what you think, but I think the two of them did a great job putting this together with their parents. Understanding scoliosis and scoliosis treatment through the eyes of the patient and family is super helpful, and this family did a really good job sharing their amazing journey through the preoperative, surgical, and recovery phases of care. They share about their concerns before surgery, and their postoperative recovery, including when they were able to go back to school, and return to sports, dance and gymnastics. They share about their improved posture, preop and postop pain and much more.
Strong work Ava and Luca, and your amazing Mom and Dad! You guys did a wonderful job documenting your journey to help other children and adolescents, and their parents, and also to thank the people who helped care for you at WakeMed Children's Hospital in Raleigh, NC and Hey Clinic.
Lloyd Hey, MD MS
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
Ava is a 13 yo young lady from Long Island, NY who had scoliosis surgery along with her younger brother in November 2015 with Dr. Lloyd Hey (Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery), in Raleigh, NC. Her mom Marisa shared a recent video of Ava at dance class, showing how freely she can move on the dance floor after instrumentation and fusion correction of her scoliosis. Her younger brother is back to full activity as well from his thoracolumbar scoliosis surgery. Ava and her mom and dad allowed us to share this video and her before and after X-Rays with all of you! Go Ava!!!!
