Quinn, my daughter, was diagnosed with scoliosis in September, 2020, just before her 6th birthday. We hadn’t noticed a curve developing and she hadn’t before complained of any pain or discomfort. The morning Quinn did complain, I had a quick look before school and made an appointment with the GP thinking she had simply pulled a muscle. When Quinn came home from school later that day, I asked to have a proper look at her back and could immediately see a double curve taking the shape of an ‘S’. Our GP confirmed that it was scoliosis but suggested that waiting times for the initial appointment with the spinal team was around 9 months. We had heard of scoliosis but didn’t know what that meant for Quinn, so we decided to go private for the initial consultation as we weren’t prepared to wait and worry for such a long time, we did some research and found out who the GP had referred us to and made an appointment within 2 weeks.

Quinn was diagnosed with a double curve of 60 degrees thoracic and 40 degrees lumbar and a treatment plan was explained. Within 3 months of diagnosis Quinn was in her first plaster jacket. She was able to take everything in her stride as children often do, but as parents we were heartbroken for our daughter, not knowing the journey she had ahead of her.

The plaster jackets were tough, especially in the summer. We managed to make sure she didn’t feel excluded. At school if there were any water fights or activities that involved water Quinn took part, albeit it a rain jacket, but she was there, with her friends, having as much fun as she should. Other than contact sports and being able to go on a trampoline, every other activity was fair game, and Quinn made sure she didn’t miss a thing. For a year, Quinn was casted every 12 weeks, with short breaks in-between where we made the most of the time off and booked swimming, rock climbing, and roller skating before the next cast. The aim of casting was to hold the progression of the curve, and if this had been successful, then a brace could have been an option. This is something we clung onto as parents as we really did not want surgery for Quinn because at her age it wouldn’t just mean one definitive surgery but several operations until she was at an age where spinal fusion would be an option.

However, a year into casting we were told that the curve had progressed to the point where it could potentially start to affect her lung development, so surgery was now the only option. At each stage and with each cast we managed to explain things to Quinn in a way in which she didn’t worry too much. Before each cast and even before her surgery she would know the plan but not the date it would happen. We followed advice from the hospital and only told her with a few days’ notice, so she didn’t have too much time to worry or get upset.

In January, 2022, following a pre-op and an MRI that determined that the scoliosis was idiopathic, Quinn had growing rods implanted and the next stage of the journey began. We had discussed other options from the concept of an early fusion, tethering, and magnetic growing rods. Each option came with its own limitations and traditional growing rods were the best option for Quinn. The surgery carried risks, as with everything, but Quinn sailed through with no problems. Recovery was rough for a few days, mainly down to the side-effects of the anaesthetic, but thankfully she did sleep a lot of the time and her pain was managed with regular medication. Following the operation, Quinn was reluctant to get out of bed, more out of fear than anything else, but the physiotherapist persisted and managed to get her up on day 2 for a few steps. From there on out she came on in leaps and bounds, the catheter and cannula were removed, and we were able to take short walks around the ward before being discharged home on day 4.

Quinn was casted after the surgery, (her very last cast) which gave her great support and almost the feeling of being protected. 12 weeks after surgery the cast came off and everyone was pleased with the results. In June, the first (of many) rod lengthening procedures was done, the surgery and recovery are much quicker and usually done as a day case. Quinn was back to school within the week. Rod lengthening will be need be done every 6 months as she grows until she is of the right age for a spinal fusion.

You would never know that Quinn has scoliosis, or the operations that she’s been through so far, her courage and determination shine through every day.