Royal Children’s Hospital patient Jesse Rotzer has severe scoliosis. At 13-years-old he hit a growth spurt, which ultimately led to a spinal curve that threatened to crush his heart and lungs.

Now 17-years-old Jesse has undergone a number of operations including a nine-hour surgery with orthopaedic surgeon Gary Nattrass and his team at the RCH, to straighten his spine. His vertebrae were fused, so most of his spine was one big bone, to prevent his scoliosis returning, Mr Nattrass said.

The cause of Jesse’s scoliosis is not known, but aside from a little stiffness, doctors expect him to be able to do most things again.

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