Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Treatment in India

Karan Saxena, a 16-year-old aspiring cricketer...

Karan Saxena, a 16-year-old aspiring cricketer from Delhi, had always been active but started noticing a persistent ache in his back during long practice sessions. His mother first spotted the unevenness in his shoulders when he was 14, but it was dismissed as poor posture. Over two years, the curve progressed. A routine school check-up flagged it, leading to an X-ray revealing a 48-degree thoracic curve. His spine surgeon, Dr. Sharma, explained that bracing was no longer an option due to the curve's severity and Karan's age. The recommendation was a posterior spinal fusion to halt progression and correct the deformity. Karan was terrified the surgery would end his cricket dreams. The surgery was long, but successful. His recovery in the hospital was tough, grappling with pain and frustration at his immobility. However, with relentless physiotherapy, he was walking within days and home within a week. A year later, his curve is corrected to 15 degrees. He has regained full strength, returned to modified training, and plays club cricket. Emotionally, he journeyed from fear and anger at his body 'betraying' him to immense resilience and gratitude. He now volunteers to speak to other teens facing surgery, offering hope.