During a sixth grade sports physical exam, I received the news that I had scoliosis. Although it was mild scoliosis, I did not take the news very well. It was appalling for me initially; however, if it weren't for the dire discovery, I might have never considered a career as an orthopedic surgeon. Ever since my diagnosis I have wanted to find a cure for scoliosis; this led me to do extensive research on the most current surgical techniques available. My goal is to create an alternative procedure to spinal fusion surgery, one where the vertebrae are not fused, thus allowing mobility within the spine. During spinal fusion, the disks between the spine are removed and replaced with bone grafts; then a rod and other hardware are inserted to hold the bone in place while it fuses. The patient has very limited movement following the surgery, not being able to bend or twist where the spine is fused; I would like to develop a surgery that would allow patients to maintain their flexibility while having a straight spine. My strategy for this surgery is to remove the disks, straighten the spine and correct any rib humps or muscle asymmetries, and then either put the natural disks back into place or insert artificial disks. After the surgery, the patient would be put into a brace until the back was healed. .
As an orthopedic surgeon I believe I will have the opportunity to do intense research on the causes of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, beginning by isolating the correct gene. I hope to become a member of the Scoliosis Research Society, as well as an international spokesperson to raise awareness about scoliosis in third-world countries, encourage early elementary school screenings for children, and organize charities and fundraisers to research the cause of scoliosis.
1. Greenstick Fracture A fracture in a young soft bone in which the bone bends or breaks. This type of fracture may be caused by overexertion of muscles or sudden traumatic pulling of part of the body during an accident. Although the name is deceiving, the bone is often broken and hard to find on x-...
Spinal abnormalities such as scoliosis are often observed and can be the cause of back pain. ... Other symptoms, depending on their severity, might need surgical treatment. 3) The surgical treatment includes aorta repairs when its diameter is wider than 2 inches, scoliosis treatment, when the spinal curve is too great for custom-made back brace and chest bone corrections, when it affects breading (Mayo Clinic, n.d.)....
King Tutankhamen became the pharaoh of Egypt at the extremely young age of 9, after his father, Akhenaten, died. After becoming pharaoh, King Tut quickly rejected his father's evil beliefs and ways of running the government, and the young boy had a lot going for him. He should have been king for m...
The neurofibromatoses (NF) are genetic disorders of the nervous system. At this time two distinct forms are known: NF1 and NF2. One baby in every four thousand is born in the United States with NF1. It is one of the most common genetic disorders, affecting some one hundred thousand ameri...
Each year in the United States, about 50 to 60 children, both male and female, are born with Cri du chat syndrome. Cri du chat is also known as Cry of the Cat, Cat Cry Syndrome, or 5p minus Syndrome. Cri du chat is recognized at birth by a high pitched cry, low birth weight, a small head, webbing of...
People also fail to see that sitting at computers and watching T.V. on a daily basis causes weight gain, diabetes, heart attacks, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, eye strain, scoliosis, and a load of other health problems. ...
Osteogenisis Imperfecta (OI)- DEFINITION Osteogenisis imperfecta (OI) is "a rare genetic disorder of collagen synthesis associated with broad spectrum of musculoskeletal problems, most notably bowing and fractures of the extremities, muscle weakness, ligamentous laxity, and spinal deformities...
Marfan Syndrome Marfan syndrome is a rare, inherited disease of the connective tissue. About 70 percent of all Marfan syndrome cases are inherited. The primary purpose of connective tissue is to hold the body together and provide a foundation for growth and development. In Marfan syndrome the...
Creating an ethnographic analogy for the !Kung San people compared to the Cro-Magnon is not an easy task. Some tasks are harder to over come, such as disconnecting oneself from cultural perspectives. But, more importantly, comparing a culture that is gone, and it's only remains exist in a tangible f...