Sisters undergo side-by-side surgery to correct spines in New Jersey

PATERSON, N.J. -- Two young sisters are recovering after back surgery to fix a condition called scoliosis.

The sisters were operated on at the same time in side by side rooms.

9-year-old Elizabeth and 11-year-old Antoinette are up from recovery after hours of surgery to correct scoliosis, a genetic disorder that left the sisters' spines severely curved.

"They're young, catch it early, as they are in the growing stage so I didn't mind, but I didn't know much about it," said Karlene Bradbury, the girls' mother.

"They both needed surgery done in a timely fashion," said Dr. Arash Emami, a surgeon at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.

Dr. Arash Emami is one of several surgeons among a team of doctors that performed the operations. Both girls went under the knife at the same time in operating rooms next to one another at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Paterson.

"The older one was a little bit more rigid, meaning a little stiffer to correct, obviously because of her age," Dr. Emami said.

Dr. Emami and his team worked on Antoinette, as Dr. Ki Hwang and company cared for Elizabeth.

"Posterior spinal fusion, which is the surgery done from the back of the spine to stabilize it using a spinal surgical technique where we use a metal implant to stabilize and hold the spine together and correct the scoliotic deformity," said Dr. Ki Kwang, a surgeon at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.

"I was a little nervous, but I'm okay. I talked to Elizabeth already, she says she's alright," Bradbury said.

Antoinette and Elizabeth's growth will be closely monitored to make sure their spines are cooperating. Their 5-year-old sister Renee's growth is being watched as well.

"As of right now she's looking okay, but this is going to be an important time because 90 degrees doesn't happen overnight," said Dr. Michael Faloon, a surgeon at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.

Doctors say if all goes well, the girls should lead normal lives and may even be able play sports if they want to.

By the way, the family came seeking help from the doctors on April 10th which happens to be National Siblings Day.