Q&A with Kaylie Castile
March 3, 2017
Junior Kaylie Castile had rods put into her back because of scoliosis. She discusses her experience and her limitations today.
TC: How long ago did you begin to have back problems, and what were they?
KC: The last month of my eighth grade year I noticed that my hips were uneven so I went to the chiropractor and they were like “Oh, you have scoliosis.”
TC: What treatments did you receive?
KC: When I first found out I got adjusted once a month and they would pop my back and neck and everything and try to keep everything where it is so it doesn’t get bigger, the curve doesn’t get bigger. Then after a few months they were like “This is too far, we need to do surgery.”
TC: Can you describe your experience of getting the rods?
KC: When I first found out it was super nerve wracking and I was really scared and upset, but I think I got used to the idea of “this is going to happen,” so then I wasn’t super nervous, I spent about a week and I got out a lot earlier than they thought I would, so it actually went really well.
TC: How did it affect your life?
For the first year I couldn’t do a lot of things: I couldn’t lift anything over 10 pounds, but now I can do pretty much anything I want. Just no contact sports or anything that can really hurt my back.
TC: Do you have any restrictions now?
No sports that have contact, I can’t fall or get hit.