Erin Ward, mother of Will, age 17, who had spinal fusion therapy at age 14, John Emans, MD, pediatric orthopedic surgeon, and Jay Berry, MD, General pediatrician, Complex Care Service, Boston Children’s Hospital, in discussion.
It’s important to articulate how surgery may affect the child’s overall health, outside of their spinal health.
The stress of the surgery may affect symptoms after and health issues may look different on the other side of surgery. When the medical team takes the time to consider this, the family feels more prepared and not horribly surprised.
Parents should be encouraged to come with their list of questions for what it may look like: the path of questioning may illicit new and important information.
