By Barry O'Kelly
Scoliosis patient Megan Halvey Ryan has finally had her long-awaited spine correction operation.
These "Before" and "After" x-rays illustrate the impact of the surgery.
Following Megan's operation in Crumlin Children's Hospital yesterday her spine is now almost completely straight.
The operation took almost eight-hours to complete.
Megan's mum Sharon told RTE that the surgery was significantly longer than originally planned because the curvature had increased due to the delay in receiving treatment.
"Megan required an operation on her lower back - as well as her upper back - which they had not expected because the lower curve had increased by 17 degrees since the summer," she said.
Sharon described the operation as life-changing. "It is amazing the difference.
Her surgeon Pat Kiely, has done a brilliant job. We are all so pleased although Megan is in a lot of pain because it was such a big operation."
Megan (13), from Limerick, featured in the "RTE Investigates -Living on the List" documentary.
More than 200 children are still on the waiting list for scoliosis treatment, and Sharon Halvey Ryan added: "It is absolutely inhumane that there are other children out there waiting for treatment."
Reporter Barry O'Kelly spoke with Megan's Mum, Sharon, earlier today. Here is the full interview...
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