I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was a teenager, but I experienced rapid progression of my curvature as a young adult. In September of 2004 I under went a spinal fusion of my thoracic spine (T2-L1) to correct and stabilize my major curve. At that point my thoracic curvature measured 58 degrees and the compensatory lumbar curve measured 44 degrees. After successfully completing my surgery with Dr. Stephen Ondra at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL, I now have only a 19 degree curvature in my thoracic spine and no curvature in my lumbar spine.
I was involved in a scoliosis and spinal deformity support group at Northwestern prior to and after my own surgery and found the information shared by others about their experiences helpful in preparing me for mine. I have and still use traditional and alternative therapies for managing my condition and in 2008 gave birth to my first child.
The purpose of this site is to bring people together who have a spinal deformity such as scoliosis by offering information and support for managing their condition. It is for professionals who treat individuals with spinal deformities by providing patients' perspective in order to facilitate effective care. And finally, it is to foster a collaboration of patients' stories for the purpose of writing a book about spinal fusion surgery for adults from a patient's perspective.
The purpose of this site is to bring people together who have a spinal deformity such as scoliosis by offering information and support for managing their condition. It is for professionals who treat individuals with spinal deformities by providing patients' perspective in order to facilitate effective care. And finally, it is to foster a collaboration of patients' stories for the purpose of writing a book about spinal fusion surgery for adults from a patient's perspective.
