39-year-old Congenital Severe Scoliosis Patient, A Graduate Student Seeking for Medical Treatment

On December 3, 2019, T1-L5 pedicle screw + T7-8 Osteotomy & Orthopedic internal fixation was performed at Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, and the operation time was more than 8 hours. The operation was completed at one time and has been discharged for more than 3 months. She is a 39-year-old patient with congenital severe scoliosis, a master's degree in clinical medicine from Sun Yat-sen University, and is now a laboratory doctor in Guangzhou. Patients with severe congenital scoliosis, with diastematomyelia and syringomyelia, significantly increase the difficulty of orthopedic surgery for scoliosis. This type of surgery is difficult and dangerous. Before the operation, our team made a comprehensive assessment from multiple disciplines to formulate a precise surgical treatment plan. After a successful surgery, she felt she was totally reborn.

Here is her personal experience of seeking medical treatment, which she shares with others in the hope of bringing some comfort to the patients who are still struggling with pain.

Hello, my name is Ma**. I have congenital severe scoliosis for over thirty years. The disease has placed great burdens on my family's economic conditions. Growing up these years, my parents has taken me to countless doctors for treatments and none of them had effective treatment. As a I grew older, so did the disease.

I converted the injustice I had into a motivation to study. I soon became a medical student at the undergraduate clinical medicine program and Sun Yat-Sen University's graduate student. Growing up, I had excellent grades, and I was also cared for by my teachers and classmates. I pretended to be a confident life. In the eyes of others, I was a sunny and optimistic girl, but only I could feel the pain of scoliosis.

While being a graduate student at Sun Yat-Sen University, I knew that surgery could improve scoliosis but the cost of this treatment was out of my expenses. So I told myself that my illness was better than the patients and it could not affect my life. However, I was wrong it soon interfered with my breathing ability and energy to work.

I saw an article that a hospital in Xi'an specializes in this surgery, so I made an appointment for the outpatient clinic. The doctor said the operation is doable, but the risks are very high. The queue up for hospitalization and traction takes up a year, then it takes another year for recovery.

I had mixed feelings back then. I have hopes to rectify my illness but the process is so long and tormenting. This is not only a huge test for myself but also long-term torture for my loved ones.

Then my colleagues asked if I knew Professor Yang Jun Lin at our hospital. He was known for scoliosis surgery. He was a very patient doctor, unlike the ones who have consulted with before.

He told me that the surgery must be done despite being dangerous. He justified his decision by saying that if I do not undergo surgery, the illness is life-threatening as it could lead to heart failure.

He told me that I can undergo traction treatment for three months prior to the surgery. This was a surprise to me because I thought traction would take years.

He firmly confirmed to me that it is true. Before leaving the clinic, I couldn't help but confirm for traction and the possibility of surgery. The professor replied yes, I felt happy and excited. I immediately admitted to the hospital.

After three months of tractions, I underwent the surgery in December. I was informed that this was a risky operation since I have severe scoliosis combined with diastematomyelia and syringomyelia. This was the first case in China. After hours of operation, Professor Yang and his team have completed the surgery safely.

I was monitored in the ICU as my situation stabilized. I had hydropneumatic but it was not life-threatening. Three days after the surgery I was transferred back to the general ward and I was able to walk a couple of meters with assistance. As my recovery improved, I felt like being reborn again.

Special Thanks

I would like to thank Professor Yang and his team (Dr. Zhou, Dr. Sui, Dr. Deng, Dr. Song, Dr. Wu, Dr.Xu, and the medical staff) for the hard work. Moreover, I would like to thank X-in Miao Charity for providing aids to patients who need aids to cover their medical costs.

Professor Yang is a doctor with medical ethics and he works around the clock to save patients. I thank him for his sincerity and commitment to his job.