A teenager has the next Paralympics in his sights having successfully undergone a full spinal fusion surgery.
Finn Dempsey, 16, is from Terenure in Dublin and has cerebral palsy and scoliosis.
He said that after his surgery, he is "delighted to say" he is two inches (5.08cm) taller and both legs are the same.
Around 520 spinal surgeries will have been performed this year, the CHI Spinal Surgery Unit has said.
It is the largest number treated in a single year and includes treatment for scoliosis, spina bifida and related conditions.
Under a recent initiative, around 20 children will also have their surgery in London or New York, with 10-15 of these expected to be done before the end of the year, subject to health checks just before treatment.
Patients who are 12 years and older are also being treated at the Blackrock Clinic in Dublin and so far, 43 surgeries have been performed there.
Finn said there were a few complications with his surgery, but is now in no pain.
He has a big interest in Frame Running, which uses a three-wheeled bicycle with no pedals, and will part of the next Paralympics in Los Angeles, which he is hugely excited about.
But, more importantly for now, he said he will be home in time for Christmas.
In February, Children's Health Ireland set up a special team, the Spinal Surgery Management Unit, led by orthopaedic consultant. Mr David Moore
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The spinal surgery waiting list at the end of last month was 243.
There are more than 40 children waiting over six months for surgery, with two waiting between three and four years.
The total waiting list excludes 68 children who are suspended from the list for clinical, or personal reasons, or who are to be treated abroad.
Since April, CHI Orthopaedic Consultants have been holding monthly Saturday Clinics for outpatients waiting for their first spinal consultation.
As a result, the spinal outpatients waiting list has been reduced by 368 patients or 42%.
An early start in theatre, once a week in CHI at Crumlin, has meant having the first patient ready for surgery at 7am and having time for a second spinal procedure in the afternoon.
This pilot project will have allowed for an estimated 20 additional surgeries between July and December 2024.
