Horse riding teen avoids major spinal surgery

REBECCA Kelly (11) was a normal little girl right up until the age of 10, when she was diagnosed with a severe curve in her spine and told that she needed an operation to save her mobility.

Rebecca was passionate about horses and she had always loved spending her time riding, however the diagnosis shattered her dreams and left her in excruciating pain. The condition also left her facing major spinal fusion surgery until she discovered an exercise routine which has drastically changed her prognosis.

Rebecca had always been very fit and active throughout her life and she was passionate about horses, until her mother noticed started to notice that her shoulder blade was protruding on one side.

Rebecca had also started getting tired far quicker than normal and was complaining of aches and pains in her back. Riding teachers had noticed her lack of energy and were worried that something serious was going on. They had also noticed that her posture was getting worse and that she was struggling to sit up straight when she was riding.

In a state of panic, Rebecca’s mother made an emergency appointment to see the family GP who immediately gave them a devastating diagnosis. Rebecca was told that she had a condition called scoliosis, which means curvature of the spine. The GP believed that her condition was particularly severe and the family were told that they would be referred to see an orthopaedic surgeon. Unfortunately, this was at the start of lockdown and they were warned there was likely to be a lengthy wait.

Rebecca said: “Scoliosis destroyed my world. I have always been so passionate about riding, I was so scared, the GP was so adamant that I would need surgery but I was desperate to keep my flexibility. I was having to miss riding lessons and it felt like life would never be normal again.”

When the Kelly family finally got to see a spinal surgeon, their worst fears were confirmed. After the appointment they decided to do a bit of their own research into the treatment of scoliosis, as they were all very keen to find out how this condition would affect Rebecca’s plans to be a professional jockey.

Rebecca had huge potential to do very well with hores; she had always been bright and bouncy and was never one to give up on anything very easily. She was often described as determined and extremely stubborn at times.

The diagnosis hit Rebecca hard. Her world had already been turned upside down by missing so much school because of the virus and she was starting to feel really isolated.
She did not know what was happening to her body and was worried that she would have to give up her hobbies because of her deformity. She had lost a great deal of flexibility and her confidence deteriorated fast.

When Rebecca received a letter from the hospital stating the date of her surgery her whole world fell apart. She was facing the prospect of major risky surgery as her only option, and her plans to attend jockey school and continuing to ride were out of the question.
In a desperate last attempt to find a miracle, Rebecca and her family started to search the Internet for alternative treatments. It was around this time that she discovered Scoliosis SOS.
Founded and run by Erika Maude, who has Scoliosis herself, the clinic opened 14 years ago and has since brought relief to hundreds of sufferers.

Located in central London, until recently it was the only clinic in the world to offer treatment following the ScolioGold method, which is the combination of internationally renowned non-surgical treatments, which have been practiced separately in Europe for several decades. In recent months ScolioGold clinics have been opened in Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol and will be opening in Dublin in a few weeks’ time. This is to ensure that the treatment is accessible to all patients and all children are given the chance to avoid spinal fusion surgery.

Rebecca and her mother decided that this treatment could not do any harm and that if it meant she could start riding properly again it could really change her life. Rebecca’s mother was not concerned about how her daughter would cope with the exercises because she had always thrown herself into everything throughout her life and when she had a goal, she was normally very motivated. She was also adamant that she did not want to have surgery and hated the idea of letting a medical condition control her or hold her back.
Rebecca was booked onto a 4-week treatment course and her whole family were overwhelmed with the results that she achieved.

Rebecca said:  “I feel amazing, I feel so much straighter and stronger and I know I will now be able to continue with my dream of becoming a Jockey. The treatment is incredible, I have met some lovely friends who are in the same position as me and I am more determined than ever to keep my scoliosis under control through exercise.

I really struggled throughout lockdown as I felt there was no way out. Now I feel supported and I am so excited that a clinic will be opening right on my doorstep it means I can go for check-up appointments and get the help I need without having to travel to London.”