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Spinal Fusion

At the age of 16, elite basketball player K’den faced the challenge of scoliosis head-on, with the support of Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, and the expertise of Dr. Suken A. Shah. “I was experiencing rib pain, and I didn’t know why,” K’den recalls. After a week of difficulty with walking prompted an emergency room visit, K’den quickly found that scoliosis was the cause of his pain. For K’den, Nemours Children’s has always been a familiarity. “I have been a long-time patient,” he shares. “The way they’ve helped me throughout my life has been amazing.” At a young age, K’den received an asthma diagnosis, marking the beginning of his journey as a patient at Nemours Children’s Health. “I was in and out of the hospital seemingly every two weeks because I was struggling to breathe,” says K’den. “During an Emergency Room visit at Nemours Children’s, an X-ray was taken of my […]

At just 21 years old, Sparsh has already achieved what many only dream of, inspiring and touching the hearts of millions across the globe. Born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a condition making his bones extremely fragile, Sparsh faces unique obstacles in his daily life. Unable to bear weight on his hands and legs, he navigates the world differently than other kids. It was Sparsh’s diagnosis of severe scoliosis at the age of 14 that led him to Nemours Children’s Health. During a routine checkup and X-Rays with his local orthopedic doctor, Dr. Thomas McPartland, the scoliosis was discovered. Conversations about spinal fusion surgery immediately began. “My scoliosis required me to rest often in my wheelchair or on my bed to relieve back pressure,” says Sparsh. “It severely affected my posture, which indirectly hampered the function of vital organs such as my lungs, which are important to my singing career!” Sparsh is […]

When Aila was just 2 years old, her parents started to notice that something was off. Each time Aila tried to walk, she was always holding onto something. She seemed to struggle when she wasn’t gripping her toy stroller. After going to see a local physical therapist, Aila’s family found out that she had SMA. SMA, or spinal muscular atrophy, is a genetic disorder that can affect your muscles, nerve cells, and spinal cord. People with SMA may experience a decline in strength and limited mobility. As Aila grew older, she had to use a wheelchair. She discovered that she could not complete tasks, like basic hygiene actions, on her own and frequently needed assistance. When she was about 7 years old, Aila began seeing doctors at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. Her family was making 6-hour drives for Aila to be treated at Nemours Children’s. After countless hours of research […]