Scoliosis meetings

Every year, we organise meetings in different locations across the UK discussing issues surrounding scoliosis.  At these meetings scoliosis specialists give talks and offer advice to attendees.  These events also act as a fantastic networking opportunity for people to meet each other and share their stories and information about their experiences with scoliosis.

The locations for the 2012 scoliosis meetings are going to be:

  • Scotland
  • Exeter
  • Nottingham

You can e-mail info@sauk.org.uk for more information and purchase a ticket via the SAUK online shop. 

 

2011 scoliosis meetings

General scoliosis meeting in Cardiff, Wales

Text coming soon!

 

Adult scoliosis meeting in London

The 2011 adults meeting took place at the Directory of Social Change in London, and was attended by all SAUK office staff and just under 100 attendees. The meeting was opened by Mr Ian J Harding, FRCS, speaking about scoliosis in adults and the various forms of treatment available. Mr Harding, who had travelled from Bristol for the meeting, talked about both untreated adolescent scoliosis and the de novo scoliosis experienced by people in later life for the first time. The presentation covered the surgical intervention that can be undertaken, particularly by specialists in adult scoliosis such as Mr Harding, but also spoke about the risks and complications of such treatment.

Susanne Selvadurai, a Physiotherapist from the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, gave a very informative talk on the use of physiotherapy as a way to aid recovery following treatment, and as a therapy to help with managing scoliosis without surgical intervention. Mr Ramesh Vijayaraghavan, also from the RNOH, spoke knowledgably about anaesthesia in scoliosis surgery.

The panel discussion prompted lively debate amongst the audience, and we were lucky to have Mr Harding, Dr Ramesh, Ms Selvadurai, and also Lorna Neave, an Occupational Therapist and speaker later in the day, as the professionals taking questions from the floor.

Lunch saw a lot of conversation and sharing of experiences, after which the programme carried on to Lorna Neave’s presentation on ‘Tips for everyday living’. The talk was an introduction to Occupational Therapy and the role of the Therapist, but also offered practical hints and tips for making life easier when mobility and fatigue are issues. Lorna, a SAUK Regional Representative and someone who has scoliosis, spoke about planning tasks and taking breaks as small adjustments which can be made in tackling everyday jobs.

Marion Whiting, also a SAUK Regional Representative and someone affected by scoliosis, gave a touching and very amusing talk about her experiences with the condition. Marion lives with respiratory difficulties as a result of her scoliosis, and spoke about the type of ventilation she uses at night. It was particularly inspiring to hear Marion speak about the ways in which she has defied the predictions of the doctors when she was born.

Finally, time was given to discussing developments at SAUK, and about the ways in which SAUK is working to making sure members are even more supported- one new benefit is the SAUK members’ forum, which is also facilitating discussion between healthcare professionals. There has been major investment in the Regional Representative network this year too.

The SAUK team filmed the adult meeting and hope to offer it to buy on the online shop soon.  Please check the shop for more details.

 

General scoliosis meeting in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Belfast City Hospital was the venue of SAUK’s meeting in Northern Ireland this June, kindly hosted by Mr Niall Eames, FRCS.  Around 30 people attended the meeting in Belfast to share experiences, listen to the consultants speak, and use the opportunity to ask questions.

Mr Eames gave a very interesting overview of scoliosis to the group, dealing with the emotive issue of waiting times in Belfast at the outset.  Mr Alistair Hamilton, FRCS, presented to the group on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, a subject of great relevance to many of the attendees and one which always prompts much discussion and debate.  Many of the young people who attended the day have been affected by AIS, and lunch and coffee breaks gave parents and patients the opportunity to share their stories with each other.

One of the newest specialists at Belfast, Mr Eugene Verzin, FRCS, spoke at the meeting about adult scoliosis.  This area is one of great interest to our members, many of whom find themselves affected by scoliosis in later life.  Michelle Harrington, Nurse Specialist at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Dublin, spoke about patient journeys and the role of the specialist nurse in supporting patients and surgeons. Mr Greg McLorinan’s talk on neuromuscular scoliosis was interesting and accessible for those with little knowledge of this aspect of the condition.  Screening Nurse Frances McDevitt presented her DVD Early Scoliosis Detection which gives practical advice on checking for scoliosis, sparking lively debate on the subject.  The final talk of the day was by Mr Pat Kiely, FRCS, who presented on congenital and early onset scoliosis.  The feedback received on the meeting was extremely positive and it was great to visit this friendly city as part of SAUK’s commitment to supporting people with scoliosis all across the UK.

 

2010 scoliosis meetings

General scoliosis meeting at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle

The second scoliosis meeting of 2010 was held in October at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. The meeting was hosted by Mr David Fender FRCS and covered all aspects of scoliosis; early and late onset (including adolescent idiopathic), congenital and degenerative. To view the full schedule for the meeting please download the programme (PDF 73KB).

 

Infantile scoliosis meeting at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore.

The first scoliosis meeting of this year was held in June at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and was focussed on infantile scoliosis. The meeting was hosted by Mr Hilali Noordeen FRCS who along with a team of scoliosis specialists discussed the causes and diagnosis of infantile, juvenile and congenital scoliosis, treatment options and current research. There were also parents discussing their personal experiences of coping with the condition and opportunities to ask questions and chat with other families.  The subjects that were covered included:

  • Why has this happened to my child? Causes and diagnosis of infantile/juvenile idiopathic and congenital scoliosis
  • What treatment is available?
  • Is there any current research that will help?
  • Am I doing the right thing? Support and reassurance for parents
  • Our scoliosis journey Personal story of scoliosis told by a parent
  • How can SAUK help you?

To view a full summary of the meeting, featured in the Autumn 2010 issue of Backbone, please download the article (PDF 1719KB).  To view the full schedule for the meeting please download the programme (PDF 75KB).