Working as an orthopedic surgeon, there are many traumas and injuries that I see. Despite all of the other interesting cases that I could see, I specialize in treating patients with scoliosis, a spinal condition that affects the Skeletal system. A normal spine would look like a straight line.

When April was a child, her and her mom came to me with her persistent back pain. I first got urine tests to rule out any kidney disorders, then I went and ordered her an X-Ray. She was only 8 years old, so she was very nervous. After I got the x-ray, I pulled up a photo of a normal spine to shoe April and her mom, Callie.

This is the photo of the normal spine. As you can see, there are no curves or abnormalities.

April was very worried when I told her my concern about her having scoliosis, so I started talking to her about the basis of scoliosis. I said to her, "When you get scoliosis, you spine curves to the side, typically in a "C" or "S" shape. There are multiple places your spine can curve. Thoracic, lumbar, thoracolumbar, and double." Her mother and herself both seemed to calm down when i told them more details about scoliosis.

While waiting for her x-rays, I decided to tell April and Callie about my concern with scoliosis. I educated them on how scoliosis is very common, and there is a very high chance April could have got scoliosis.

I gave April and Callie a printed out list with all the common symptoms of scoliosis. The list said,

"Symptoms may include, but are not limited to:

-Uneven shoulders and/or hips.

-Bump in the lower back

-Numbness, weakness, or pain in the legs

-Trouble walking.

-Trouble standing up straight.

-Tired feeling

-Shortness of breath.

-Loss of height."

April, her mother and I all agreed on the fact that April had 4/8 of the common scoliosis symptoms. At this point, we could not rule the disorder, and we would positively have to wait on the x-rays to confirm or deny if she has scoliosis.

While waiting, Callie and I bonded. We both had a little girl who was eight years old. Since Callie was not familiar with scoliosis, I told her everything I would do if I found out my daughter, Amy, got diagnosed with scoliosis.

I had to break the bad news to Callie and April myself. April did have scoliosis. "Unfortunately, there is no cure for scoliosis. The treatments can include either surgery or a back brace, depending on how severe the degree of the curve is." I said to them.

"We still aren't sure how bad the curve is, the radiologist just confirmed my thoughts with me. Since they are still measuring, I will just talk to you about all our options. Surgery is needed if the spine exceeds 45-50 degrees. The surgery can take 4-6 hours. What I would do is I would put rods and poles to make the spine straight." I told Callie while April was playing on her moms phone.

"Now, there is a chance that April could only have a slight curvature. With that, we would only need to give her some back exercises, and in some cases I recommend even sending her to physical therapy."

April started to feel more comfortable in her environment.

"Dr., why did you decide to become an orthopedic surgeon?" She asked me.

"Well, I actually specialize in scoliosis. The reason I chose this is because the skeletal system is so important to the human body and since it is so important, someone has to fix it." I responded to her.

After getting Aprils x-rays back, I could establish that she had a "S" shaped curve of 21 degrees on the top curve and 20 degrees on the bottom curve, which means she needs a back brace.

"So April, what I will do is I'll measure your back around, and then we will customize the brace in whatever color you want." I smiled at her, trying to comfort her in this time of bad news.

"I want green!" She said to me.

I had to tell her that she will need to wear the brace for 20-23 hours a day.

April started to cry. She was a very active eight year old, and now she can't move her back for 95% of the day.

I could tell that April was not going to want to listen to Callie and I when we told her about her needing the brace.

"April, if this goes untreated, then you will need surgery and the curve will only get worse and worse. It is very important that you wear your brace every day and only take it off to shower. The brace will go over a tank top and then under your other clothes." I said to April.

I pulled up an image of what someone wearing the same brace April would get would look like. Callie was very interested in how the brace would help. "Like I said, it wont cure the curve, but if she does not wear it the curve will increase and surgery would be an option." We both gave April a look, telling her that she needs to wear her brace.

Since April was so upset, I had to be honest with the quality of life she would have with this diagnosis.

"Since the brace wont cure the curve, your quality of life will be just about how it is now. You will have some limitations, like bending over and sports." I told her.

Through her sobs, she asked me, "Will I still be able to play soccer?"

When I gave her the bad news, her cries grew louder and louder. Her mom hugged her, and they made a phone call to her dad to tell him the update and to see if he had any questions. After he didn't, April and her mom were on their way.

April came back after one week to get her brace. Everyone in her family came to support her. They even brought her little brother, William. The orthopedic surgeon in me told me that I should tell them the genetic link with scoliosis and siblings.

"A sibling is more likely to get scoliosis if their sibling has it." I said.

William, only being 6, seemed very worried he would get the same disorder as his sister. I told him that if he gets enrolled in weight bearing sports and exercise that it could prevent scoliosis. I also had to mention that there is not a 100% preventable measure for scoliosis.

Callie and I had discussed setting up appointments to see me every three months. Six months after her diagnosis, April had told me she did a report on scoliosis for school.

"What did you say in your report?" I asked.

"Well," She said, "I gathered all my information on this piece of paper."

She took a paper out of her pocket and read it to me.

"Scoliosis is the most common spine deformity, affecting 1/40 people or about 7 million in the U.S. alone. It is an abnormal curvature of the spine of at least 10 degrees, and about 85% of diagnosed cases have no known cause. Severe scoliosis typically progresses with time, so your doctor might suggest scoliosis surgery to reduce the severity of the spinal curve and to prevent it from getting worse. The most common type of scoliosis surgery is called spinal fusion. If the scoliosis is progressing rapidly at a young age, surgeons can install a rod that can adjust in length as the child grows. Rarely, the bone fails to heal, and another surgery may be needed."