Scoliosis

As well as Currarino Triad I was born with Scoliosis - curving of the spine. For 12 years the degree at which my spine was twisted and curved was not at a dangerous angle so the doctors felt unless it got any worse then nothing needed to be done about it.When I turned 13, I visited my orthopaedic doctor who said that I needed to have major surgery to straighten my spine. This came as quite a shock, as you can imagine, as up until that point my back was fine. I did have the occasional back ache, but nothing too painful.On August 3rd 1998 I went into The Royal Orthopeadic Hospital in Birmingham to have a metal rod and 6 screws placed in my back to straighten it. The operation lasted approximately 6 hours, and for 3 days after I was monitored in the High Dependency Unit. I had numerous tubes in me and a chest drain, as my lung had to be collapsed whilst they were performing the operation.

After 3 days I was placed on a normal ward. I wasn't allowed to stand for almost a week, or sit up, to allow the operation to settle. This as some people may know is not the nicest thing in the world, especially when you stand up after a week of lying down. I also had 2 ribs removed from my right side, so that the hump that was beginning to develop would be less noticeable. After a week of lying on my back, I was finally allowed to stand up, which wasn't a blessing in disguise, as after lying down for so long, standing up again makes you feel very nausious and dizzy - although it only lasts a few minutes. I wasn't allowed to walk anywhere yet, not without a back brace, which I was to wear for 3 months. So for a further week my mode of transport around the hospital was a wheelchair :o) Which wasn't too bad, but it was a really hot summer in England that year and i was stuck in a hospital ward with limited movement.

After two weeks of being in the hospital I was fitted with a back brace and was able to go home. The back brace had to be worn for 3 months whenever I was walking around. So I had to go to school with it on, which was actually quite fun as I got everyone to sign it, to make it less conspicuous :o) Overall my back has improved immensly. I very rarely get back ache, I have no problems with the rods, and I don't beep going through Airport Security :o) There are obviously certain things that I cannot do with the metalwork in my back, but it doesn't stop me from doing anything in day to day life. Only the silly things like parachuting, and horse riding, things where there is a risk of damage. On the whole my back gives me very little problems which I am very happy about :o)

Scoliosis............