A Life-Changing Outcome
Bassel George Diebo, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Brown University Health Orthopedics Institute and co-director of the Spine Center at The Miriam Hospital, talks about Hanah's complex spine surgery case.
Hanah's Story
After Years of Pain, Hanah Sought Specialized Spine Care
For Hanah, living with back pain became a daily reality before she reached adulthood due to a scoliosis surgery she had as a teenager. While the initial surgery results seemed positive, complications emerged over time that changed the course of her life.
After 15 years of chronic pain and the worsening condition of her health that included difficulty standing and walking on her own, Hanah – a pop culture expert, athlete, and dancer who also has special needs – and her mother, Bethany, sought care at the Orthopedics Institute, a practice known for treating complex spinal conditions through coordinated, team-based care. They met with Bassel Diebo, MD, the recently appointed co-director of the Spine Center at The Miriam Hospital and a spine and scoliosis surgeon with the institute.
Dr. Diebo specializes in complex scoliosis and revision spine surgery, including care for patients with special needs. After reviewing Hanah’s medical history, imaging, and prior surgical records, he determined that revision scoliosis surgery was necessary. Hanah’s lower vertebrae had gradually shifted into an inverted position since her initial surgery, and a screw from that surgery migrated closer to the surface of her skin, forming a visible hump on her back. Dr. Diebo’s decision followed extensive consultations with Hanah’s many providers, including physicians, nurses, therapists, anesthesiologists, and surgeons.
“I told them, ‘I know you might think I’m crazy, but from a technical standpoint, this is doable. Do you think it’s safe for her to have the surgery?’” said Dr. Diebo.
Given the complexity of Hanah’s condition, Dr. Diebo chose to perform the surgery at Rhode Island Hospital, the state’s only Level I trauma center, to ensure immediate access to specialized resources if complications arose.
Preparing for a Complex Surgery
Hanah’s spinal condition affected multiple systems in her body, adding another layer of complexity to her care. Preparation for surgery required close coordination among her full medical team.
In the months leading up to surgery, Hanah worked hard to strengthen her body with support from her mother. She performed regular leg exercises, went to the gym three times a week, improved her nutrition, and gained needed weight to prepare for the procedure.
During surgery, Dr. Diebo and the surgical team addressed severe kyphosis at the base of Hanah’s spine and reshaped her back to improve alignment, stability, and posture.
Meaningful Results
Hanah experienced significant improvement following surgery, including nearly 90 degrees of spinal correction. At her first postoperative visit, she was able to walk upright for 60 to 100 feet with assistance. Her incision had healed, and her pain was greatly reduced.
“I don’t think people can understand what it’s like to be in chronic severe pain that requires 24/7 opioids and then be free of that,” Bethany said.
For Dr. Diebo, Hanah’s outcome reflects the collaborative approach of the Orthopedics Institute.
“I call it a journey… because it really is a journey of a lot of people who together are trying to give this patient the care she needs at the highest level,” said Dr. Diebo. “You’re talking about upward of 40 to 50 individuals in one patient journey. That is really a team game.”
A Lasting Impact
After surgery, Hanah sent Dr. Diebo a handwritten card that read, “Thank you for all you are doing for me. I love you so much. You are an amazing person.”
“Those are the moments when I personally feel that it is a gift,” Dr. Diebo said. “It makes a difference. It wakes me up in the morning, and it makes me feel good about what I do and what we provide.”
Reflecting on Hanah’s resilience, he added, “Hanah is a perfect example that even if life comes at you with problems, humans have the tremendous ability to fight back.”
“My message to Hanah is that you will go down as one of the highlights of my career,” Dr. Diebo said. “I still have the scrub that I wore for that case that has her signature.”
For Hanah and her family, the surgery marked relief after years of pain. For the Orthopedics Institute, her story highlights the powerful impact of specialized expertise, careful coordination, and comprehensive spine care.