Esther’s journey with scoliosis began during a routine check-up in the summer of 2020. Her primary care physician discovered the curvature of her spine during a yearly visit, just as Esther was experiencing a growth spurt. Her provider quickly referred Esther to a specialist at Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, where an X-ray confirmed the diagnosis. “I went to get X-rays and found out my spine was crooked,” Esther shares. “It was unexpected, but I’m grateful we caught it when we did.”
Under the care of orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kevin Neal, Esther embarked on an 18 month journey, closely monitoring the progression of her curve, and exploring treatment options.
In the beginning, Esther didn’t experience much pain. However, as the curvature of her spine progressed, approaching 60 degrees, the impact on her daily life became increasingly challenging. “Pain didn’t come until the curve progressed horribly over two years or so, and it got to the point where it was almost unbearable every day,” she shares.
After careful consideration with her care team, Esther opted to proceed with a posterior dynamic distraction procedure, using the ApiFix® device, drawn to its potential for motion preservation and a faster recovery compared to a spinal fusion surgery. “Her hope was that this ApiFix® surgery would bring less pain and would straighten her curve to lead a normal life and still be able to continue in taekwondo, track, and cross-country,” shares her mother, Lacey.
Under the guidance of Dr. Neal and the dedicated team at Nemours, Esther underwent ApiFix® surgery in 2022, at the age of 14. From the moment she stepped through the doors, Esther felt a sense of comfort and reassurance. “The care at Nemours was awesome,” she says. “The staff was so friendly and caring. I never felt uncomfortable with anything.”
Esther’s recovery has exceeded expectations. “Amazingly, she was walking up and down steps in the hospital with a therapist the day after surgery,” says Lacey. “When she returned home, she rested well for 2 weeks, then resumed her typical daily activities. Within 3-4 weeks, she was able to return to running. In time, she was able to add weight training and taekwondo back into her schedule. The past 2 years, she has been able to run on her school’s cross country and track teams. She has also advanced to 2nd degree Black Belt in taekwondo, competing in tournaments for her favorite event: sparring, which is the hardest considering impact and agility in the events. And her now favorite past-time is weight training and bodybuilding.”
Looking ahead, Esther remains optimistic about her future. “My plans are to continue with check-ups to make sure that the rod is still stable and there are no complications,” she explains. “I am happy with what has gone down and can only hope for the best in the future.”
For those facing similar challenges, Esther offers words of encouragement based on her own experiences. “It’s wonderful to be taken care of as a Nemours patient,” she says. “I would encourage anyone to trust and be a part of the care they give. The surgery was immensely successful and even if the hardware were to fail, I would have great trust in Nemours to take care of me for everything I need.”
