Patient Success Stories

Recommend this facility to anyone recovering from major back surgery as staff are friendly, competent, supportive and customize PT to the individual.

Nondi

School Counselor

CONDITIONS

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It began at my four-year-old annual checkup when my pediatrician noticed that my upper spine looked curved. My parents then brought me to a spine specialist and I received the official scoliosis diagnosis. My doctors monitored me for the next few years as my scoliosis continued to progress. I had three braces for my spine which I wore every night from the age of 7 to 14. My curve had progressed to 50 degrees, despite bracing, by the time I had reached age 14. I remember being easily fatigued but continued to play sports and was an active teenager. I would, however, look forward to resting at the end of the day as my back would often be sore. I avoided activities that required me to walk or stand for long periods of time.  When I was first diagnosed with scoliosis I was too young to understand. As I got older, though, I realized that this was a pretty serious condition. I hated going to my bracing appointments and especially hated wearing the brace every night. It came up past my left shoulder so I had to sleep with my arm over my head and went over my hips as well. It was super uncomfortable.  I remember doctors bringing up surgery when I was a teenager and being so scared about it. I never felt like any of them took the time to explain it to me. I just remember being very overwhelmed and hoping my curve would stop progressing so that I wouldn’t need it. If you told me then that I would have spinal fusion at age 29 I wouldn’t believe you. I was that adamant about avoiding surgery. In my early 20s, I really started to notice my pain increasing. After work, I would come home and lay down, sometimes for hours, because my back would be so sore. I would avoid activities that I used to enjoy, like kayaking and bike riding, because it hurt my back too much. I have always been pretty active and loved going to the gym. I was finding it hard, though, to motivate myself because I was always in pain. My husband was the one who pushed me to follow up with a specialist in my mid-20s, after noticing my pain increase. After having spinal fusion, with Dr. Haines,  to correct my 50-degree curve I am now able to do the things I love like hiking and spending time outdoors. Prior to surgery I would fatigue very easily or pay for a long hike by spending hours on the couch in pain later. I no longer have pain when I hike or walk! It’s such a night and day difference!  I also used to avoid get-togethers and events where I knew I would have to stand or sit without back support. I don’t have to worry about that anymore and it makes socializing more enjoyable and has allowed me to be more spontaneous! 

Spinal Champion Q&A

How did scoliosis affect your life? 

In my early 20s, I really started to notice my pain increasing. After work, I would come home and lay down, sometimes for hours, because my back would be so sore. I would avoid activities that I used to enjoy, like kayaking and bike riding, because it hurt my back too much. I have always been pretty active and loved going to the gym. I was finding it hard, though, to motivate myself because I was always in pain. My husband was the one who pushed me to follow up with a specialist in my mid-20s, after noticing my pain increase.

Were there any activities that were limited by scoliosis?

My pain made it difficult for me to enjoy activities such as kayaking or bike riding. It was also uncomfortable to hike for long periods of time.

How did you discover Virginia Spine Institute?

My husband was the one who pushed me to follow up with a specialist, after noticing my pain increase. He found Virginia Spine Institute online after looking at reviews for spinal specialists in the Northern Virginia area.

Insight from Hannah's Spine Surgeon
Dr. Colin Haines

After being under the care of several spine specialists in the past, Hannah arrived in my office to gain new insight into her scoliosis condition. As an active young professional, she expressed that she enjoys working out, running, hiking, and traveling. We built trust and rapport as we discussed my findings in her extensive physical examination, reviewing her diagnostic imaging, and discussing her long-standing history of bracing and scoliosis management. In order for her to get back to her career and active lifestyle, and really just regain overall quality of life, we agreed that undergoing scoliosis reconstruction surgery would be the most effective option. Through the recent advances in modern spine care, I performed a robot-guided spinal fusion. This technology accelerates the patient’s recovery. Robot-guidance also can increase the accuracy and safety of surgical procedures and allow these procedures to be performed with less intra-operative radiation exposure. I am proud of Hannah’s courage to address her life-long scoliosis and get back to the life she deserves!

See more photos from
Hannah's scoliosis journey.

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