Scoliosis surgery at Middlesbrough hospital 'gave me my life back'

Samantha Heeney, Hannah Wintle, Ellie Boyd and Ciaran Butterworth visited the hospital where they were treated

People who had major surgery to straighten their spines as teenagers have returned to hospital to thank the consultants who "transformed their lives".

Hannah Wintle, Ellie Boyd and Ciaran Butterworth, who are all from Teesside, were former scoliosis patients at Middlesbrough's James Cook Hospital.

Ms Wintle, now a flight attendant, said: "It's changed my life."

Specialist nurse Cheryl Honeyman said "their stories are inspiring".

Scoliosis is a condition where the spine twists and curves to the side, most commonly affecting children aged between 10 and 18.

The hospital's paediatric spinal unit has performed more than 250 scoliosis surgeries since its launch in 2010.

A person with scoliosis may have one shoulder higher than the other and an uneven waist, shown by this X-ray

Ms Boyd, from Stockton, who is now a criminal defence solicitor, said: "Growing up, I was conscious about my body and very sensitive about my appearance.

"The scoliosis diagnosis meant my body shape was different from the rest of my peers and this had a huge impact on my mental health.

"The surgery shaped me into a confident woman."

'Skilful'

Samantha Heeney, from Leyburn, underwent scoliosis surgery in 2017 at James Cook.

Now 23, Ms Heeney is pursuing a career as a nurse and completed an elective placement in 2022 on the exact ward where she was a patient.

She worked with the same team who helped her, while observing staff performing the procedure she had as a child.

Ms Heeney said: "To be a part of the same surgery that I underwent was strange, but made me realise the significance of our expert staff and skilful surgeons."

Ms Butterworth was diagnosed when she was 15 and had an operation to straighten her back in 2011

Ms Butterworth, who is now a teacher in Norton, said the surgery was "life changing".

"I've gone on to have a daughter and a family of my own, which I never thought I could do at the time. It's opened up lots of opportunities for me to be normal."

Speaking about the reunion with his former patients, consultant spinal surgeon, Zak Choudhury said: "It's really heartening, it really is.

"The NHS get a really bad press with long waiting times. Sometimes you lose sight of the fact you can make a massive difference to people's lives."