From Scoliosis Diagnosis to Softball Success

Patient Kylie unexpectedly learned she had scoliosis during a doctor's visit for a pulled muscle when she was 9 years old.

On her first trip to a specialist, the doctor didn’t recommend taking action. However, a second opinion at Shriners Children’s St. Louis helped the 12-year-old begin proactive treatment and ultimately become a softball star.

Her scoliosis looked mild at first glance, but her physician at Shriners Children’s St. Louis recommended that Kylie wear a brace for treatment. By choosing proactive treatment, Kylie is now unlikely to need additional treatment for her scoliosis beyond wearing the brace. Kylie was scared at first and wasn’t sure how she would adapt to the brace. Three years later, the brace is basically a part of Kylie’s body, and the responsible 12-year-old doesn’t ever leave it behind.

“I know the recovery from back surgery can be extremely tough on kids, so I’m glad Kylie is on track to avoid what I call the ‘S-word.’ Kylie sleeps in her brace every night and wears it every morning at school until around 11 a.m. If we are ever leaving the house to go somewhere and she forgets it, she makes me turn the car around to go get it,” said Kelly, Kylie's mom.

Somewhat of a latecomer to the sport, Kylie didn’t pick up a softball until she was 9. One day, she decided she wanted to become a pitcher, and she went straight to work on improving her craft. Without missing any time on the diamond due to avoiding surgery for her scoliosis, Kylie has quickly excelled in the circle. She recently played in USA Softball All-American games in Oklahoma City and traveled to Florida to play in Youth All-American competition.

Kylie’s goal is to one day play for the University of Missouri softball team under her coaching idol, Larissa Anderson. The young star actually met Anderson at a Mizzou softball camp and gave the legendary coach a scoliosis awareness bracelet, something Kylie hands out to teammates and coaches across the country.

“I really want kids to know they can continue doing whatever they want, like playing softball, even if they’re diagnosed with a condition like scoliosis,” Kylie said. “It’s hard wearing a brace at first, but you get used to it and I know it’s going to help me in the long run. When I went to Mizzou, I loved being there. I had a chance to go in the dugout and go on the field. It was so amazing, and getting to hand out those bracelets meant a lot.”

Kelly said scoliosis awareness is extremely important for parents. Scoliosis checks don’t happen at school as often anymore, and an early diagnosis is key to treating the condition. Shriners Children’s St. Louis continues to advocate for scoliosis checks in both girls and boys throughout childhood.