New spinal surgery for Birmingham girl with scoliosis

An eight-year-old scoliosis sufferer from Birmingham has had a new type of surgery carried out to help correct her spine.

Surgeons at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital used a procedure called shilla to help straighten Zara Hamaeoun's backbone which suffers from a lateral and rotational curvature.

Doctors said the devices implanted into her spine were designed to adapt to a growing child's body and minimise the need for further surgery.

Zara's father, Mohammed Hamaeoun, said: "We were in line for another new surgery every six months until Zara stopped growing.

"This new equipment means she doesn't have to have as much surgery."