12-Year-Old with Severe Scoliosis (104°) Regains Height and Mobility Following Complex Procedure. 

    When 12-year-old British girl “D” received a diagnosis of scoliosis with a staggering 104-degree curvature in her thoracic spine, it presented a challenge that stretched beyond standard treatment protocols. Initially diagnosed a year prior with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and treated with bracing, her condition progressed unusually rapidly. Within that year, her main thoracic curve increased dramatically from 40 degrees to 104 degrees, accompanied by a significant lumbar curve of 76 degrees. This severe deformity also resulted in a pronounced rib hump deformity and restrictive lung disease, significantly impacting the life of the previously active girl who loved sports.

    Facing limited treatment options elsewhere, D’s family brought her to the Spine Center at Shanghai Xinhua Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. After thorough evaluation, the expert surgical team determined she was a candidate for complex corrective surgery.

    “Such rapid progression is highly uncommon in clinical practice,” explained Professor Yang Junlin, Director of the Spine Center at Xinhua Hospital and D’s lead surgeon. “The patient presented with extremely severe spinal deformity, significant rib hump deformity, and severe restrictive respiratory dysfunction. Surgery carried significant risks, including potential complications like pleural tear or difficulty weaning from ventilator support post-operatively.”

    While preparatory traction therapy is sometimes used for such severe cases to reduce surgical risk, the family and surgical team, considering the duration, discomfort, and the patient’s specific situation, opted for a single-stage corrective surgery after comprehensive assessment.

    In July 2025, Professor Yang Junlin and his team successfully performed the intricate 4-hour procedure. The surgery involved osteotomy, release techniques, and advanced de-rotation methods. A key technical decision was stopping the fusion at the L4 vertebra instead of the more common L5, preserving approximately 20% more lower spine flexibility. The correction achieved was nearly 80%. Remarkably, D was transferred from the ICU to a regular ward within two days and gained 3 inches (approximately 8 cm) in height immediately after surgery. She regained the ability to walk unaided within about a week, managing activities like bending, arching her back, and climbing stairs comfortably.

    D’s family, receiving care through the hospital’s Jinglang International Medical Services Department, expressed deep appreciation for their experience. “From preoperative consultations to postoperative care, every step reflected both high professionalism and genuine compassion,” they shared. They noted the efficiency of the process at Xinhua Hospital, the advanced surgical techniques employed, the excellent outcome, and the detailed follow-up plan, which provided significant reassurance.

Building Expertise in Complex Spinal Care 

    The Spine Center at Shanghai Xinhua Hospital has established itself as a leader in treating complex spinal deformities. Since founding the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Pediatric Scoliosis Clinical Research Center in 2018 and establishing the nation’s first Rare Disease Scoliosis Diagnosis and Treatment Center in 2023, the center has amassed considerable experience. To date, they have performed over 900 surgeries for severe scoliosis and nearly 100 for rare disease-related scoliosis, maintaining a record of zero mortality or serious complications. The center is recognized for its high volume and advanced techniques in managing complex cases, including those with significant respiratory compromise.

    For pediatric and adolescent scoliosis, the center champions a “minimally invasive philosophy,” allowing over 95% of their young patients to avoid blood transfusions (D received just 4 units, approximately 500ml). Patients typically mobilize within 2-3 days post-surgery. Furthermore, they have developed a comprehensive “Screening-Diagnosis-Treatment-Prevention” system covering the entire lifespan, from prenatal screening and early intervention in youth to managing degenerative scoliosis in older adults.

Editor: 
Chen Qing @ ShanghaiDoctor.cn

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