Woman Becomes World’s First Adult To Get ‘Robotic Spine’

An Irish woman has become the first adult in the world to receive a revolutionary remote controlled ‘robo spine’.

Deirdre McDonnell, 34, from Drogheda, County Louth, says her life has ‘completely changed’ after undergoing the pioneering MAGEC rod operation – which uses magnets to combat the effects of scoliosis.

The operation involves the insertion of a magnetic rod that is screwed onto the spine and controlled externally in order to correct the curvature caused by scoliosis.

Deirdre said: ‘The operation has completely changed my life. Before, I could only walk short distances without being in pain but now I love to walk everywhere.

‘After more than 30 years of operations and taking painkillers, I’m finally hopeful for the future.’

Up until now, the £15,000 procedure has only been performed on children, as it was thought only to be effective for early onset scoliosis – typically diagnosed before the age of ten.

But thanks to the success of Deirdre’s operation, doctors are now hopeful that the bone implant will help other adults, many of whom have undergone a number of unsuccessful and painful invasive surgeries in an attempt to straighten and lengthen their spine.

Deirdre underwent her first operation at just six weeks old after she was diagnosed with congenital scoliosis, which affects one in 10,000 new-born babies. Her spine was so malformed that doctors warned she wouldn’t live past the age of seven.

Over the next ten years, she underwent eight painful operations as doctors battled to save her life.

Beating the odds, Deirdre survived childhood and trained at college to become a teacher.

But the secondary effects of her scoliosis eventually left her unable to work.

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Although MAGEC rod technology has existed since 2011, doctors initially didn’t see it as an option for Deirdre as it had previously only been performed on children. However, after running out of options, doctors decided to operate.

Tallaght Hospital in Dublin was able to secure funding from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Deirdre underwent the three-hour operation in June last year.

Over the following months, her spine was straightened at regular intervals.

Now fully recovered, Deirdre says she is looking forward to a healthy, happy future with her boyfriend, solicitor Robbie Slattery, 32.

She said: ‘I’m no longer in pain, and I feel so much more confident in myself. Even little things like being able to wear pretty dresses or sit comfortably have made such a change.

‘I feel so lucky to have been able to have this operation – it really has changed my life.

‘Before my dad passed away in 2009, he told me that he hoped I’d one day get my dream of living a normal life. I just hope I’m making him proud.’

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