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New minimally invasive scoliosis surgery inspires new found confidence enjoys cheerleading, horseback curve worsened to 53°, but she was also TAYLOR riding and spending time with experiencing back pain so severe at times it her friends and family. would cause her to fall to the ground. She was diagnosed with scoliosis at Taylor and her parents understood that age 12 during a school exam. Her parents, traditional scoliosis surgery involved a single Angela and Harry, took her to an orthopedic long incision that would cut into muscles doctor near their Houston home. While from the shoulder blades to the waist. They at the appointment, X-rays revealed a wanted to exhaust all treatment options 19° spinal curve. The doctor fi tted Taylor before resorting to such a long incision. with a Boston Brace to help stop the curve Taylor’s parents began researching other progression. scoliosis treatments and learned of minimally She wore the brace for eight months. invasive scoliosis surgery (MISS), which “When I was in the Boston Brace, I became involves three small incisions instead of one sort of the ‘brace girl’ I guess,” said Taylor. “I long incision. MISS results in less scarring, would have to wear baggy clothes over the less muscle dissection and less blood loss. brace so no one would know.” The family was happy to learn that one of She didn’t let scoliosis interfere with the fi rst surgeons in the nation to use MISS an active life, though. She continued was Dr. Matthew Geck, a dual pediatric and cheerleading and horseback riding. adult fellowship-trained scoliosis and spine Unfortunately, Taylor’s curve continued surgeon at Seton Spine & Scoliosis Center in to worsen during bracing — follow-up Austin, Texas. X-rays revealed a 32° curve. Taylor also tried Upon meeting Dr. Geck, Taylor and physical therapy for several months, but Angela were impressed with his professional therapy didn’t stop the progression either. and friendly personality. He put them at Next, Taylor and her parents were referred ease during an otherwise stressful situation. to another Houston orthopedic surgeon who Dr. Geck talked with Taylor about MISS. He Photo by Wade’s Photography, talked with them about traditional scoliosis cautioned that it’s still major surgery, but used with permission surgical options. Not only had Taylor’s spinal because the incisions are so much smaller, he’s able to minimize the muscle trauma. This would allow Taylor to get back to her normal activities in about three to four months. Taylor and her parents made the decision to move forward with MISS. Dr. Geck performed the minimally invasive procedure in December 2011 and it was successful in correcting her spinal curve. Her straighter spine also gave Taylor new found self-confi dence. “Three months after surgery she had cheerleader tryouts,” said Before MISS, Taylor’s thoracic curve had pro- Traditional scoliosis surgery (left) requires one Angela. “She didn’t know if she would be gressed to 53° (left). After MISS, her curve long incision and is very complicated. A mini- able to make the varsity team again, and she was corrected to 16° (right) with only three mally invasive approach (right) involves three did.” Her confi dence and perfect posture small scars. She is back to full activity — small incisions. Other advantages may include including cheerleading, modeling and even shorter hospital stays, less pain and a faster was displayed when she competed in the horseback riding. return to normal activity. Miss Texas Teen USA pageant. She has also started modeling. Today, she is not Seton Spine & Scoliosis Center is a regional referral center for the treatment of limited in activity at all. back and neck pain and scoliosis. Matthew Geck, MD, (right) over the past 10 Taylor is looking ahead years has developed the largest spinal deformity and complex surgery practice to college and her future in Central Texas, treating adult and pediatric scoliosis, kyphosis and complex — with new found spine problems. Lee Moroz, MD, (left) specializes in non-surgical spine care. More c o n fi d e n c e . information can be found at SetonSpineandScoliosis.com or request Spinal Curves for the latest scoliosis treatment options by calling us at 512-324-3580. 512-324-3580 1600 W. 38th St., Suite 200 Austin, Texas 78731 Online spine encyclopedia at: SPINE SURGEONS: MATTHEW J. GECK, MD | JOHN K. STOKES, MD | EERIC TRUUMEES, MD SetonSpineandScoliosis.com NON-SURGICAL SPINE CARE: LEE E. MOROZ, MD | ENRIQUE B. PENA, MD.

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