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Back to making music after corrective scoliosis surgery
Christian enjoys playing the
guitar and is the lead
vocalist in “The Ri”, a band of four New
Braunfels sophomores. The band has been
known to set up on the bank of the Comal
River and crank out classical and modern
rock favorites.
The slight curve in Christian’s spine
became more noticeable in recent years.
“We live in the New Braunfels area and
the kids stay cool in the summer months by
swimming in the Comal River,” Christian’s
mom, Becky, remembers. “In the summer
heat, Christian would often have his shirt
off and the unevenness in his shoulder
blades was becoming more evident. His
right shoulder blade would sometimes pop
out also,” she reflects.
Becky scheduled an appointment with
an orthopedic physician in San Antonio.
The doctor examined Christian and
ordered x-rays. It was determined that he
had adolescent scoliosis and the doctor
prescribed conservative treatments to help
stop the progression of the curve. Christian
began wearing a back brace. Bracing is not designed to reverse the curvature, but
rather to prevent the spine from increasing
the angle of the curve. Unfortunately, the
back brace didn’t stop Christian’s spinal
curve from progressing. He also attended
physical therapy and went for chiropractic
care to help improve the flexibility of the
spine and relieve pain. The treatments
would offer some temporary relief but
the pain would soon return. Follow-up
x-rays showed that Christian’s curve was
worsening. By age 15, his spinal curve
was at 48 degrees and he was constantly
sore. The activities he loves, like playing
the guitar, were becoming more difficult.
Sleeping was a challenge because he was
unable to lay flat.
Becky began looking into scoliosis
specialists. After doing some research on
the web, she learned of Dr. Matthew Geck,
a spine and scoliosis surgeon in Austin. Dr.
Geck is fellowship-trained in pediatric and
adult spine surgery. Christian was examined
by Dr. Geck, he viewed Christian’s x-rays
and noticed the progression of his spinal
curve. Dr. Geck ordered an MRI in order to rule out intracanal abnormalities. He
explained in detail to Becky and Christian
the surgical option needed to correct the
48 degree curve. Dr. Geck put both of
them at ease, answered all of the questions
they had about the surgery and explained
to Christian and Becky what to expect in
recovery. Christian wanted to get back
to his active lifestyle and they decided
to move forward with surgery. Dr. Geck
performed the necessary scoliosis surgery
on July 27, 2009.
“Christian grew an inch after surgery,”
Becky states. The recovery ahead was not
easy for Christian, but soon he was up and
walking around the hospital and then back
home. He was limited in activity at first,
no bending, squatting or heavy lifting for
the first six weeks, and then no running or
jumping for six months after surgery.
The best news for Christian was that,
only six weeks after surgery, he was able
to join his band for a Labor Day gig on
the river. Today, he continues to increase
his activity level and is still rocking with
“The Ri”.
Click here or select the image above to download a PDF of Christian's experience with Dr. Matthew Geck.
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The pictures displayed are images of actual patients and employees of Seton Spine and Scoliosis Center in Austin who have consented to have their picture in this website.
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