Dr. Craig Eberson has been working with 7-year-old Ryana Sullivan since she was five months old. Ryana was referred to Dr. Eberson, a pediatric spine and scoliosis specialist at University Orthopedics, after her grandmother noticed her baby granddaughter’s spine seemed to be developing a curve. Grandma’s instincts were right; Dr. Eberson told her parents that Ryana had a 40-50° curvature; and when she began treatment at 18 months, the curvature had progressed to 80°.

Being told your infant has a serious health problem that could compromise her breathing or heart function if not corrected is enough to rock any new parent’s world. Ryana’s mother Patricia exclaimed, “I was so nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. But Dr. Eberson was amazing; he is so experienced and knows just how to put your mind at ease.”

Dr. Eberson then began a series of surgeries that Ryana has undergone every six months since, which involves insertion of “growing rods” in her spine. Each time, he lengthens the rods to add height as she grows. This process will be continued until Ryana is about 10 or 11 years old, when she will have a final surgery to permanently fuse and straighten her spine. And all this is done right here at Hasbro Children's Hospital – an important convenience for this busy Warwick, R.I. family.

Ryana has always been a “very active girl” according to her mom. Nothing stops her. After all, she learned how to crawl and walk in a body cast. Today, Ryana continues to grow straight and tall, plays T-ball, and fusses over the new baby in the house, just like any other seven year old. All because of the expertise of Dr. Eberson and the teamwork of her wonderful, supportive family.