The start of the school year can be stressful when dealing with a new scoliosis diagnosis. We often get questions about backpacks- what type is best? How heavy should it be? How should it be worn? For children and teens with scoliosis, a traditional backpack is best. Both shoulder straps should be worn snuggly, with […]

June is Scoliosis Awareness Month, and this year we got a chance to make many people more aware through a short WRAL/WRAZ TV news interview at Hey Clinic yesterday morning! Kayleigh Forbes and her mom, Christina shared their experience going through conservative and then surgical treatment for scoliosis, and Kayleigh’s full recovery back to cheerleading, […]

Lynn Joyner discovered her scoliosis at 14 years old when her doctor ordered a spine x-ray after she complained about one pant leg being longer than the other. Her curves reached 35 degrees thoracic and 40 degrees lumbar before the doctors caught her curve. The doctor told her to monitor her curve, but did not […]

Decision making in healthcare is moving towards a shared decision making model rather than a paternalistic approach. Paternalistic decisions are when the provider makes the decision for the patient. This is the way most clinicians informed patients in the past. Another method of decision making is called informed decision making. This is when a clinician […]

In 2021, David Lee felt his legs get so heavy that he could barely walk. He could not control his balance and needed to hold onto something as he walked. He experienced what he described as pure terror as he felt his legs buckle beneath him while he washed dishes at the bar he manages. […]

Judith Lyons turned 81 this year, but her quality of life decreased severely after taking care of her husband during his illness and from her worsening scoliosis. At first Judith felt concerned about all the risks of complications that came with spine surgery, but with the support of her home community she decided to go […]

Your child’s scoliosis diagnosis may come as a surprise. It seems to come out of nowhere, noticing a bit of rotation by their pediatrician during a regular forward bend-test in their annual physical exam. The onset of puberty may cause an insignificant curve to progress rapidly, suddenly making it noticeable. While it is usually not […]

Emma and Abby Little were both diagnosed with scoliosis. The Little’s thought only Abby had scoliosis. After their mom insisted Emma get an x-ray, her back was curved as well. “I got to decide if I wanted to wear a brace,” Abby said. Abby’s transition to the brace effected her, but now she feels like […]

Landon Richardson currently works as a Medical Assistant at the Hey Clinic. He is in the process of applying to medical school. His interest in medicine and the Hey Clinic came after his younger brother underwent spine surgery in high school. “I’ve learned what it looks like to just have compassion and be passionate about […]

Omar Singletary discovered her scoliosis when she went through a complete physical exam before going away for college. “I didn’t know before then,” she said. “I don’t know how no one knew.” The doctor told her she may need surgery, but she and her parents were not comfortable moving forward and they decided not to […]

Clair Trybus, 17, went years with back pain, but rationalized that it came from cheerleading. When she finally got an x-ray at age 15, her doctor diagnosed her with 40 and 30 degree scoliosis curves. She said the doctor never ordered an x-ray before that time, even though they noticed her curve. Previously, doctors told […]

Mary Elizabeth Baker’s back caused her pain, but she was not sure what the source was. In 2019, she went to the doctor because the pain increased in significance. The doctor diagnosed her with spondylolisthesis. Her L5 vertebra suffered a pars fracture. Mary Elizabeth took 6 weeks off from activities to see if her pain […]

A pars fracture or spondylolysis can cause pain, due to inflammation and reduce your quality of life, but bracing can help. This can be treated using a zero-lordosis brace to control the fracture and inflammation while healing. “They take a 3D image of your torso and it’s molded exactly to your shape,” says Dr. Hey […]

Dr. Hey, Mariah Cybator and Jennifer and Kalli Williams talk to WRAL anchor Michelle Mackonochie about spinal health and Kalli’s story of kindness and generosity. October is World Spine Awareness Month. It is a time to spread awareness of spinal conditions and educate people on the treatment options available. An estimated 80% of the population […]

Kimberly Temple was diagnosed with scoliosis in Middle School when she was around 12-years-old. She was given a brace, but was not compliant as she was not fully aware of the effects that her scoliosis would create if she didn’t address the problem. “I saw first hand how bad it could get,” Scotty Temple said […]

Lisa Ganley has severe scoliosis in an “S” shape and she wore a brace in Middle School and High School. However, the brace did not stop her curve from progressing into adulthood. “I should have been doing more physical therapy, but I wasn’t having pain, so I just kept going on with my life,” Lisa […]

Daily pain can be a major factor in deciding to pursue surgery. When Kaylee Deal turned 20, her back pain became unbearable and she decided to come to the Hey Clinic for a check-up. She was diagnosed with severe scoliosis. She knew surgery would be the best option for her, but she just started college […]

“I don’t feel like [scoliosis] limited me in any way.” Layla Sauls said. Layla’s mom made a dress for Layla’s pageant and noticed a slight disparity in one shoulder from the other. Layla watched her sister go through the process of scoliosis surgery and she wanted to avoid surgery. She came in to Hey Clinic […]

Snezana Petrovic found out about her scoliosis as a child living in Serbia. “I have idiopathic scoliosis, used to be idiopathic adolescent scoliosis,” Snezana said. “Obviously I’m not an adolescent anymore, but I just want to emphasize it’s a lifelong thing.” She wore a cast, which is similar to a brace but cannot be taken […]

Dr. Hey met with David Lee in Beaufort, North Carolina to see his progress in weight loss. David came to the clinic with trouble walking and pain. He did not want to rush to get surgery, but try conservative options first. After a year, he lost 85 pounds and can now take daily walks without […]