Patient records
Name: Sophia Müller
Age: 28
Nationality: German (Munich)
Diagnosis: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (Lenke type 1A, Cobb angle of thoracic curve 62°, continued to progress into adulthood, accompanied by chronic back pain)
Treatment Hospital: Department of Orthopedics/Spinal Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
In the latest photos Sophia sent, she stands tall and graceful like a swan in a form-fitting evening gown under the lights of the Munich Opera. In her email, she wrote, "Thank you for finally allowing me to stand tall and wear this dream gown." However, a year ago, her world was tilted.
Sophia was diagnosed with scoliosis during puberty. As she grew older, her thoracic curvature progressed from 30° to 62°. From behind, her right scapula protrudes prominently, forming a noticeable "razorback." This not only caused her chronic lower back pain but also placed immense psychological pressure on her as a girl who loved music and socializing. She dared not wear fitted clothes, dared not go to the beach, and always unconsciously slouched, trying to hide her asymmetry. In Germany, doctors also recommended surgery, but the plan was a standard posterior approach, which was expected to fix a relatively long segment, making her worry that postoperative spinal flexibility would be greatly limited.
When Sophia learned about China's "precision" approach to spinal correction through us, she saw new hope. Our case manager quickly sent her full-spine X-rays and CT 3D reconstruction images to the Department of Orthopedics at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. This hospital is a national center for the diagnosis and treatment of complex spinal diseases, with particularly strong expertise in the precise correction of adolescent scoliosis.
Before the consultation, the expert team at Peking Union Medical College Hospital conducted a detailed preoperative planning using Sophia's imaging data. Through 3D reconstruction, they precisely measured the rotation angle of each vertebra and the diameter of the pedicle, simulating the placement and angle of each screw. Our medical consultant visually demonstrated the surgical plan to Sophia: "We will do our best to correct your spinal curvature while preserving as many active segments as possible, so that your spine is both straight and flexible."
The surgery was performed under strict neurophysiological monitoring. The surgeon, with exceptional skill, precisely implanted dozens of pedicle screws into Sophia's vertebral body, then connected a pre-bent orthotic rod. Through a series of maneuvers including rod rotation, expansion, and compression, the spine, which had been bent for over a decade, was slowly and safely corrected to a near-normal curvature. Intraoperative awakening tests and neurophysiological signals both indicated that Sophia's spinal cord function was intact.
During the post-operative follow-up phase , our case manager developed a detailed rehabilitation plan for Sophia as advised by her doctor . After returning home, she regularly uploaded standing full-spine X-rays via our app. Our team then compiled the images and submitted them to experts at Peking Union Medical College Hospital for evaluation of the fusion. Sophia also underwent core muscle and posture training via video under the guidance of a rehabilitation therapist. A year later, her fused segments had healed well, and the curvature of her spine was stable. That photo in the opera house is the most beautiful proof of her rebirth.