In June last year, 14-year-old Sam Hansen grew 10cm overnight and became instantly taller than her big sister.
Fourteen-year-old Sam Hansen grew 10cm overnight, after undergoing surgery to correct scoliosis.
Right before her surgery, Franklin teenager Sam Hansen had a 70 degree curve in her spine.
Hansen grew 10cm after two metal rods with 17 screws were fastened to her spine.
The Tuakau College pupil underwent surgery at Middlemore Hospital to correct a curve in her spine caused by adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
And now the tall teen is embracing her extra height - which will help in her future plans to become a model.
Sam's curvy spine was first discovered in June 2014, as she bent to pick something up off the floor.
"It was winter and she hit puberty and went into big, baggy clothes," said her mum Kim.
"She bent over in front of me one day and we saw her ribs sticking up. She pulled up her shirt and it was like 'oh crap.'"
So it was straight to the doctor and then the chiropractor.
"The chiropractor noticed that there was a curve and that my back was twisted as well," Sam said.
"It had happened during my growth spurt."
The condition can be genetic and Kim said she had also been diagnosed with a mild scoliosis, that didn't require treatment.
In August 2014, x-rays showed Sam's spine was already at a 55 degree curve.
Sam's doctors told her they would need to operate.
"Otherwise it would get worse and could start to crush [my organs]," Sam said.
Even lying in bed at night was causing Sam a lot of pain, as her ribs had rotated.
"I'd have to lie on a certain side because my shoulder was pushed forwards; and if I was lying down for too long I'd get a really sore shoulder."
On June 18, 2015, Sam went into surgery for six hours where two metal rods with 17 screws were fastened to her spine.
She spent a week in hospital, where she slowly got back on her feet.
Kim said it was amazing to see her daughter fully recovered.
Less than a year post-surgery and Sam has been given the all-clear from doctors. The "bionic curvy girl", as Kim calls her, is now able to do anything she wants.
"The curve is now just 20 degrees - which a lot of people live with, without even realising," Kim said.
"As a mum you see them suffer and missing out on doing so many things - so to be able to be a typical teenager again..."
Kim said she was incredibly proud as she recently watched her daughter bounce on the trampoline - even performing a back landing.
"That part of her body is the strongest part of her now. It's phenomenal."
Source : Stuff , 12th Feb 2016
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