Acıbadem Health Group organizes a special event for Scoliosis Awareness Month

Scoliosis, defined as the right or left curvature of the spine seen in three out of every hundred children, is being taken out of the darkness of life in our country in recent years with new developments in the medical world and the experiences of physicians. Due to its frequency and impact on all aspects of life, June is celebrated as Scoliosis Awareness Month to draw the public’s attention to this disease.

Acıbadem Health Group, organizing special events for Scoliosis Awareness Month, hosted scoliosis warriors and their families at its 11th event. In this event, held at Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, artist Özge Borak moderated the conversation to convey to the patients that they are not alone in this process, to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and regular treatment in scoliosis treatment, and to inform about the latest medical developments in scoliosis treatment. At the event; young people who have succeeded in the fight against scoliosis, their families, and physicians came together to share their experiences. While Prof. Dr. Ahmet Alanay, a specialist in Orthopedics and Traumatology at Acıbadem Maslak Hospital Spine Health Center, shared the latest developments in scoliosis treatment, Assoc. Dr. Çağlar Yılgör provided information about brace treatment.

Young people who encountered scoliosis in adolescence and fought against their curved spines with surgery or braces have successfully overcome the challenging process. Now, some scoliosis warriors draw attention with their achievements in sports, some in art, and some in academics. However, they also came together to address their peers, who are newly introduced to scoliosis, to guide them and share their experiences. In the 11th Scoliosis Awareness Event held this year, scoliosis warriors, their families, and experts shared the visible and invisible aspects of living with scoliosis with utmost sincerity under the moderation of artist Özge Borak.

Özge Borak: ‘Those who suffer know the pains’
Moderating the conversation, the beloved face of the screens, artist Özge Borak aimed to increase social awareness against scoliosis, which knocks on the door of three out of every hundred children today, by referring to the famous phrase ‘Those who suffer know the pains’ in the event they held. She said, ‘I was delighted when they offered me to moderate this event. I thought I could learn more about this disease in detail, meet heroes like you. More importantly, I said I could contribute to society with awareness and got very excited, I accepted right away.’

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Alanay: ‘Early diagnosis is critical’
One of the architects of scoliosis awareness events in Turkey, Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Alanay from Acıbadem Maslak Hospital Spine Health Center, described the newest treatment methods in scoliosis in his speech, emphasizing that in recent years, with the rapid advancements in technology and medicine in our country and the experiences of physicians, scoliosis has ceased to be a fate. Stating that early diagnosis plays a critical role in the treatment, Prof. Dr. Alanay said, ‘The first step in the fight against scoliosis is to create awareness among parents. Conscious families against scoliosis; by observing their children’s postures and spinal structures, consulting a doctor in case of any curvature, make early diagnosis possible. Early diagnosis plays a critical role in determining treatment models and easily overcoming the process.’

Assoc. Dr. Çağlar Yılgör: ‘Brace treatment provides successful results’
Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Çağlar Yılgör, emphasizing that recent developments in personalized brace production have made it possible to treat some scoliosis patients without the need for surgery, said the following about brace treatments: ‘The collaboration of the family, doctor, physiotherapist, and orthotist is extremely important in the success of scoliosis treatment. In suitable patients with regular braces and exercises, scoliosis can now be treated without the need for surgery. Studies show that in suitable patients with childhood curvatures, if the appropriate brace is worn in compliance with the rules and supported by exercise for the necessary period, significant successes can be achieved in the treatment of curvature, and even scoliosis can be completely treated. Therefore, it is necessary to explain very well to the child that by wearing the brace for a certain period in compliance with the rules, they can get rid of scoliosis.’

‘I see the brace as dental braces’
National gymnast Demi Defne Barouh met scoliosis at the age of 8. When their gymnastics coach warned their family that ‘Demi may have the onset of scoliosis, it would be beneficial to take her to a doctor,’ they went to the doctor and found out that she had an 8-degree curvature, but it was recommended to monitor it. The following year, as scoliosis progressed, they applied to Prof. Dr. Ahmet Alanay. Stating that they started brace treatment when the degree of their scoliosis rapidly increased to 15, then to 29 after a year, Demi said, ‘When Ahmet teacher said that the brace was mandatory for my health, I also saw the brace as ‘dental braces’ and wore it very disciplined. I was wearing the brace for 18 hours a day and only took it off when bathing, sleeping, and training. My scoliosis did not affect my gymnastics that I started at the age of 3 at all, and I have been continuing gymnastics professionally for 11 years. I train for 4 hours a day, 6 days a week. At the beginning of this year, Dr. Çağlar said that it would be enough to wear the brace only at night. I have end-of-summer check-ups, and with the help of my doctors and family, I think I will graduate from scoliosis.’

‘I never gave up my beloved karate’
Melike İrem Gökçe, who has been professionally doing karate since the age of 7, said that despite many difficulties caused by scoliosis, she never gave up her education and her beloved karate. Gökçe, a 17-year-old who ranked 2nd in the Balkans Championship last month, described her encounter with scoliosis as follows: ‘When I was 9, my mother noticed that one of my shoulders was higher than the other. However, since I was a very weak child, it was first thought that it was ‘due to weakness.’ Our pediatrician, whom my family routinely took me to, suspected a problem with my spine and referred us to orthopedics, and that’s how I met scoliosis. When a 36-degree scoliosis diagnosis was made, we started brace and exercise treatment. However, since I continued to grow, when my scoliosis degree increased to 48, the three doctors my parents took me to recommended surgery. But I didn’t want to have surgery because I would have to give up my beloved karate. Since January 2020, my scoliosis degree has decreased to 28 thanks to brace treatment and Schroth exercises. I see the brace as my friend now, as I have lived with it since I was 9. While continuing karate professionally, I am also preparing for university entrance exams. I really want to study law.’

‘She wears the brace all hours except during training’
Mother Derya Gökçe stated that her daughter wears the brace all hours except during training, saying, ‘My daughter is living a very healthy sports and educational life. When she first learned about scoliosis, she met this disease very calmly, saying ‘everyone has a curvature in their body, if I have one on my back, it will be okay,’ and continued the treatment very disciplined. Now, it is enough for her to wear the brace only at night.’

“My swimming coach noticed it when I was 3”
Doruk, a high school student, was first noticed by his swimming teacher when he was only 3 years old. Mother Özgü Bayrak says, ‘When my son leaned forward to dive, his swimming instructor noticed the asymmetry between his right and left shoulders. He told us ‘he may be prone to scoliosis, always keep an eye on him.’ After the teacher’s warning, we had Doruk regularly examined. In 2021, we noticed Doruk’s scoliosis about two months before he took the LGS exam. However, the LGS exam was very important for Doruk. Therefore, we had to postpone scoliosis a bit. When we applied to Çağlar after the exam, Doruk was diagnosed with 33-degree scoliosis; we started brace treatment and Schroth exercises. When we saw that the curvature decreased to 22 degrees in 6 months, we were very happy.’

“I will leave the brace and wear a doctor’s coat”
17-year-old Doruk also stated that he was very disciplined in wearing the brace, made it fun, and now he reached the end of the treatment process, saying, ‘In the first year, I wore my brace with only an hour break per day. Our teacher Çağlar used to say, ‘since you are swimming a lot in the summer, it will be enough to wear it only at night during those times,’ as it is very difficult to wear a brace in hot weather, it makes you sweat excessively. But now, with the support of my teacher and family, I have reached the end, and wearing the brace only at night is enough. I am currently a 11th-grade student at a science high school and I want to become a doctor. I told my teacher Çağlar, ‘I will take off this brace and come to you one day wearing a doctor’s coat,’ and I believe I will achieve this.’