A brave teenager whose curvature of the spine went from seven degrees to a severe 94 degrees within six months says she thinks she is 'incredibly lucky' that a nurse spotted her scoliosis when she went into hospital for tonsillitis.
Danielle Millar received her spinal diagnosis by chance when the astute nurse noticed a slight curve and sent her for an x-ray while she was receiving treatment for her ENT (ear, nose and throat) problems last year.
Incredibly, the 14-year-old had put previous back pain down to carrying a heavy school bag.
Danielle, who is from Ardee, Co Louth, endured a ten and a half hour operation to get spinal fusion rods inserted in her back just two weeks ago and is already back on her feet.
However, the selfless young woman says she feels sorry for all those with scoliosis who are suffering daily while waiting for their number to be called on a lengthy waiting list.
"I've always had problems with my ears and throat and was admitted in August 2023 to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda with tonsillitis," she said.
"While I was there, a brilliant nurse noticed a curve on my spine and sent me for an x-ray which showed a seven degree curve in my spine.
"I had been having some back and rib pain but I thought I just had a naturally large rib cage and I put the back pain down to walking to school with a schoolbag on my back."
Danielle's scoliosis progressed rapidly and within six months, her spine had a curve of 94 degrees, making her a top priority among surgeons.
"I was told that the progression may be due to puberty and the related growth spurt at that age. If I was at a disco or walking around for a long time, the pain would become really bad, but I must have a high pain threshold because doctors were surprised I was not in more agony."
Scoliosis diagnosis
"I still have pain after the operation, mainly internally, but it is getting better, and I'm able to walk around the block, though walking upstairs is pretty tiring.
"I think I'm very lucky though. A lot of people are on a waiting list for years and have to suffer all that pain. I'm grateful to have had the operation within a year of being diagnosed and that's the way it should be for everyone.
"I think everything happens for a reason and I was meant to get tonsillitis and meet that nurse. I went into hospital with tonsillitis and came out with a scoliosis diagnosis."
Her parents, Christopher and Kelly say they are incredibly proud of their daughter and very thankful to the medical team.
"She always suffered from ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) problems. She never had any back problems before this," said Christopher.
"Only for that nurse noticed the curve, Danielle might have been much further on and in more pain before she was diagnosed. She went for a follow-up consultation but then we did not hear from anyone for six months.
"Eventually, after I contacted various politicians, we got another appointment where it was explained that the hold-up was to do with new halo traction chairs which had to be imported from Switzerland."
Halo-gravity traction is used to help treat scoliosis and other spinal conditions. It involves attaching a metal ring, known as a halo, to a child's skull and then pulling the skull and spine upwards to slowly stretch the spine and try to straighten the curve.
"She was in a halo chair for six weeks, and they increased her 'halo' by one kilogramme every 48 hours until the maximum of 18kg , which is the weight of a three-year-old child. Eventually, the traction pulled her spine almost straight and qualified her for the operation.
"And then just two weeks ago on November 6th, she went through a ten and a half hour operation to have spinal fusion rods fitted.
"The staff at Temple Street were wonderful. I can't thank Mr Michael Dodds and his team enough. They don't get enough credit for what they do. I would love to thank the male nurse, whose name I didn't get, who spotted her curve in the first instance.
"Danielle has been through the mill in the last year, and she is still smiling. She is an amazing young woman," Christopher said.
