VBT - Could it be for me?

After a lot of research and stress, mum stumbled across an online forum in which people were talking about a procedure called ‘Vertebral Body Tethering’ (VBT) and how amazing its results had been for them. We looked it up and it was as if all of our worries evaporated. 

VBT is a scoliosis-correcting surgery, where, instead of rigid metal bars, a flexible cord is inserted into the back and straightens it without limiting flexibility. Originally, this surgery was only performed on growing spines that would straighten over time, but now can be performed on mature spines thanks to new techniques. It is only a two hour procedure compared to the six hours of fusion, has a far shorter and less painful recovery and will leave me with minimal scarring. Perfect!

There is only one issue. The NHS doesn’t perform this surgery at the moment. After, what were very successful trials of the procedure by our consultant at Stanmore and other surgeons, backing was withdrawn here in the U.K. because of administrative issues. This means that to get it done we will have to go to Germany, where it will cost us €35,000. 

We went to visit Dr Trobisch in December 2017. My alarm was set for 04:30  (ouch!) and after taking a taxi, a plane, a train and another taxi we arrived at the clinic early that afternoon. It was a really long day and by the end of it I was exhausted. Dr T was great though! He looked at my x-rays and told us that I am definitely a candidate for this surgery and the size of my curve meant that I will have to get some kind of surgery, whether that means fusion or VBT. 

I knew what I wanted. VBT offers me everything that normal people have, and that’s all I want. So just before new year we booked my surgery for the 8^th of August, all that we have to do is find the money, and so we have started a fundraising campaign...