MESA, Ariz. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Three to five children out of every
1,000 are diagnosed with scoliosis -- a curvature of the spine that can have
serious consequences if the curvature gets worse. But now, there's a new,
less painful way to treat it.
At age 14, Matthew Barmore is already six-foot-one with a passion for
basketball. But just a few months ago, Matthew's doctor saw a problem -- a
nearly 50 degree curvature in his spine. The diagnosis: scoliosis.
"Before surgery, the lump in his back caused by the spine curvature was
about the span of both my hands together," Matthew's mother, Rebecca Barmore,
told Ivanhoe.
"If the curve progresses, it can have profound affects on heart and lung
function," Mark A. Flood, D.O., an orthopaedic spine surgeon at Banner
Desert Hospital in Mesa, Ariz., told Ivanhoe.
Surgery to correct scoliosis used to mean cutting a large piece of bone from
the iliac crest in the pelvis, then using it to create a spinal fusion so
the curve didn't get worse.
"The problem with taking bone from the iliac crest is it's a significant
source of pain sometimes even permanent pain," Dr. Flood said. "It requires
another incision, potential risk of infection, and that bone is gone
forever."
But Matthew was able to take advantage of a brand new therapy -- recently
cleared by the FDA -- to repair his spine using stem cells harvested from
his own bone marrow.
Used with bone from the Bone Bank, Matthew's stem cells would act as a sort
of catalyst to support the growth of new bone along the spine and work with
permanent screws and rods to fuse it into the correct position. The surgery
reduced Matthew's curvature from nearly 50 degrees to just 15 degrees.
Just three months after surgery, Matthew's already playing one-on-one with
twin brother Jordan, getting stronger every day.
"I'm able to shoot, dribble, run and jump," Matthew told Ivanhoe. "If this
is any indication of what's going to happen I think it will just get
better."
And now, Matthew's dreaming of a very big future.
"What else? The NBA!" Matthew said.
Scoliosis is much more common girls than boys. Ideopathic scoliosis --
scoliosis of unknown cause -- is the most common type, usually occurring
after age 10. Only some cases require surgery.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Center for Spinal Disorders and Pediatric Orthopedics
http://www.csdpo.com
(480) 464-9400
Banner Health
http://www.bannerhealth.com
