Brooke Noland Brooke’s Back Blog

Brooke has been diagnosed with a spinal growth deformity called Schuelemanns  Kyphosis.   It happens mostly in the elderly population - but in some rarer cases - it happens during a rapid teen growth spurt.  It's where one part of the spine grows faster than another - causing a Kyphosis (or hump back).  A normal max curve in someone's spine would be 45 degrees.  Brooke's is over 100 degrees.  She has a severe case.
We have found an amazing spinal surgeon (with a fellowship in spinal deformity and a fellowship in pediatric spine) - Dr. Mardjetko.  He will have the honors of trying to straighten her spine.  The surgery is scheduled at Lutheran General in Park Ridge, IL on Tuesday December 14th.  The surgery itself will last at least six hours.  She will go immediately to the ICU for 2-3 days and then spend another 4-5 days in the hospital.
This surgery carries a significant amount of risk.  He will be putting rods down both sides of her spine and rebuilding the material between her vertebrates that have been compressed due to the severe kyphosis.  Surgery will open her entire back (neck to waist) with T2 to L3 being secured with the rods.  
They predict she will be 4" taller immediately following surgery!  If this happens - she will go into surgery at 5'7" and come out at 5' 11"!!!!!  CRAZY!
She will be home six weeks following her hospital time and then we hope she can start back to school half days.  She will be in a body brace for 3-4 months and a neck brace for 1-3 months following surgery.
If all goes well - she will be back up and living life fully after six months.