Campaign to create greater public awareness of scoliosis

To celebrate International Scoliosis Awareness Day, which takes place on Saturday, June 27th, the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh has launched a new online campaign.  The ‘Scoliosis Warriors’ campaign acknowledges the strength and tenacity of young Scoliosis patients.

 

The aim of International Scoliosis Awareness Day is to create greater public awareness of scoliosis, promote education, and bring together those affected by the condition. Through the ‘Scoliosis Warriors’ campaign, the hospital hopes to bring together former patients online and give them a platform to share their scoliosis story and provide hope for others.

 

Connor Green, consultant paediatric orthopaedic surgeon at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh said: “The Scoliosis Warriors campaign aims to not only increase awareness of scoliosis and spinal conditions, but also to provide young patients with a platform to share their stories. Over the next week, former patients will share their experience of scoliosis and we will introduce staff from our paediatric department across our social media channels and website. We hope that this will inspire other patients and their families to get involved to raise awareness and initiate a conversation.” 

 

Over the past year, the hospital’s Rapid Access Scoliosis Service has reduced the waiting list for initial consultations for scoliosis patients from 18 months to 1 month. Since the resumption of elective surgeries at the end of May, the hospital has carried out 7 surgeries and is working through the waiting list, giving priority to urgent cases.

 

The hospital treats idiopathic cases of scoliosis, whereby the patient is suffering from no other medical complication. The hospital successfully completed 86 spinal fusion surgeries in the past 2 years, with patients coming from all over Ireland.  To facilitate shorter surgical times, two consultant paediatric surgeons operate on one patient, thus enabling two spinal fusion surgeries to take place on the same day.

 

Former NOHC patient Diarmuid (aged 14) from Co Waterford said:  "I had my surgery in November 2019 in the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh, and it has honestly given me a new lease of life. During my treatment, I met some other teenagers with scoliosis at the Straight2Swimming Scoliosis swimming group in the Curragh Camp. It was reassuring to see others who had scoliosis. It showed me how you can still get on with your life with this condition and it showed me that I was not alone. I want to let other kids with scoliosis, and their parents know that even if you have scoliosis and need a brace and/or surgery, that there are amazing people out there that can help you with your condition and improve your life for the better."

 

FURTHER DETAILS

To find out more about the ‘Scoliosis Warriors’ campaign, please visit:

Facebook: @nationalorthopaedichospital

Twitter: @NOHCOrthopaedic