Gillette Children's is known worldwide for its expertise in caring for children diagnosed with rare diseases. Several Gillette providers are participating in an event at the University of Minnesota to talk about the successes and challenges in caring for rare disease disorders. Linda Krach, MD, is a Gillette rehabilitation medicine physician and a keynote speaker at the U of M event. Krach recently won a prestigious award for her work and is part of a team helping patients who have spina bifida and other rare diseases.

We get an update on one of the most popular stories posted on our Gillette Stories site. Owen Earl is still active thanks to spine surgery at Gillette Children's to help with a curvature in his back due to scoliosis. Gillette performs 80% of spinal fusion procedures in Minnesota and 65% of spine fusions to correct scoliosis.

Talking to your child about their medical diagnosis doesn’t have to be a solo pursuit. Your family has real, life-changing support at Gillette Children’s. 

Za’Nii is only 10 years old, but she’s already been through more than most individuals would in a lifetime. She's stared down two potentially life-threatening illnesses including severe scoliosis, and beaten them both. Through all of it, Za'Nii has maintained an irrepressibly positive attitude that rubs off on everyone around her. Read her story here.

A diagnosis of scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, can be upsetting for a family but the expert team at Gillette Children's can guide you through a pallet of care that includes; bracing, physical therapy, surgery and other new options.

To see Taylor ride her horse is a study of grace in motion. That she's doing it after treatment for juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, makes it even more impressive.

In just over a month, Kyra Condie will be competing as a climber in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. It will be the first time climbing has been featured as an event in the Olympics and for her, a tremendous personal achievement and milestone she’s been working towards her entire life. A diagnosis of scoliosis could've made this feat unattainable, but her personal dedication and the treatment she received at Gillette made it possible.

June is Scoliosis Awareness Month and to kick things off, Gillette expert Danielle Harding, PA-C breaks down five things to know if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with this common spine condition.

When Isabella Gregory, 11, received a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic scoliosis in 2019, it was a shock to say the least. Read about the unique surgical procedure that got Isabella back to her life and activities just 6 weeks later.

The ability to stand up straight is something that most of us take for granted. Peyton's family can tell you how the ability to stand upright, transformationally changed her view of the world. Read more about the surgery that made it possible.

Walter Truong, MD has worked as a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon at Gillette Children's for nearly ten years. Dr. Truong specializes in treating a variety of pediatric orthopedic conditions. Learn more about him, here.

Mpls. St. Paul Magazine recently released its “Top Doctors list,” which includes the names of 24 physicians from Gillette Children's. The magazine determines award recipients based on a survey sent to physicians each year, asking them to nominate one or more doctors (excluding themselves) whom they would visit if they or a loved one needed medical care.

"It was definitely a shock. I almost didn’t believe it at first. I’m a competitive athlete; I’d never really been hurt or sick in my entire life. I didn’t even know what scoliosis was." - Avery Wright

June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month and a good time to revisit some of the remarkable stories of the Gillette patients diagnosed with scoliosis. In May 2018, Joshua and his parents surprised Gillette Children's orthopedic surgeon, Tenner Guillaume, MD with an unusual and highly personal gift.

"I realized, for the first time, that I was shooting straight. Due to my scoliosis, I'd been overcompensating." Erika, a basketball player, gained confidence after surgery to correct her spinal curvature.

As the weather turns warmer and sunnier, families are eager to get outside for fresh air and exercise. While the escape from the four walls of home is a welcome relief, it’s important to make sure we’re all safe during our outdoor activities. Gillette is here to help if a child is injured.

Rehabilitation therapy helps patients learn how to maximize their abilities and become familiar with new ways of moving. Locomotor training, a form of walking therapy that involves body weight support, can help eligible patients increase function in their lower extremities and improve their mobility.

Charlie Schultz is a longtime Gillette patient, athlete, and most importantly, a dog lover. Learn how Charlie's love of dogs blossomed (and led to him becoming a dog owner!) during his seven-week inpatient stay to treat his severe spinal curvature, called kyphosis.

Back pain is more common in children than one might expect. In fact, by age 15, 30-50 percent of all children have had at least one episode of back pain! At Gillette Children’s, our team of internationally-recognized orthopedic experts work closely with many pediatric patients each year, helping them identify and treat their unexplained back pain.

For Janet Favorite, navigating her son Robert’s rare condition has been a rollercoaster, steadied by her family’s commitment to providing him with expert care and access to resources at Gillette Children’s. Read her story here.

The Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation awarded Gillette a generous grant to help expand Gillette Children’s spine program. This is the largest grant we’ve ever received.

Gillette Children's is kicking off June as Scoliosis Awareness Month by launching a new Scoliosis Resource Group on Facebook.

Everyone knows at least one iconic duo. There are Batman and Robin, Mario and Luigi, Ash Ketchum and Pikachu, and by the time you’re done reading, you’ll add another to the list: Josh and Tyler Lindgren.

Not one to sit on the sidelines, Danny Lilya’s wheelchair and congenital spine diagnosis have never defined him. From playing hockey to scoring field goals on the football team, find out how this athlete and Vikings fan is headed to the Super Bowl this weekend.

“I don’t think it would surprise anyone to learn that a lot of children love dogs,” says Emily DeBreto. “While we’ve had volunteers bring in therapeutic dogs at the hospital for comfort, we wanted to get our dogs more involved with the actual functional aspects of the therapy we’re providing.”

Gillette Children's is playing a key role in the clinical trials and research into the drug Spinraza, also called nusinersen.The drug is being celebrated as the first real hope for people who have spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

After a surprising scoliosis diagnosis, Avital Harris wore a back brace for two years. Now she is sharing her story, and plans for the future.

This is not what Earl Weir planned for his junior year in high school. The 17-year-old from Howard Lake, Minnesota was a busy teenager—involved in his school’s broadcast club, spending time hunting and fishing with his dad and listening to music with his mom. Earl is an example of how life can change in an instant.