At just 13 years old, Kiely Jefferson has shown more bravery than many do in a lifetime. Known for her bright spirit and love for dancing and gymnastics, Kiely has always been a vibrant and active child. But behind her fearless energy was a silent challenge that gradually became more visible as she grew.
Kiely’s mother, Kaneshia, first noticed something was off when Kiely was around five years old. “We noticed that her spine was kind of crooked,” she recalled. “She never had back pain or anything, but the curve was there.”
At the time, they were living in Louisiana and chose to simply monitor the condition. As Kiely grew, the curvature on her back became more noticeable. After the family moved to Texas, everything changed.
Already under the care of a pediatric nephrologist due to being born with one kidney, Kiely was referred to Surya Mundluru, MD, MBA, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital who specializes in pediatric scoliosis care. Her first visit with Dr. Mundluru came in late 2019. “That’s when the pieces finally started coming together,” Kaneshia said.
Through regular X-rays and monitoring, Kiely’s care team tracked the progression of her spinal curve and adjusted her care as needed. Although a back brace was briefly considered, Dr. Mundluru determined that surgery offered the best long-term outcome once the lungs had fully developed. As time went on, her lungs continued to develop but her spinal curve, though closely monitored, kept progressing and became increasingly severe. Many of her vertebrae were congenitally deformed, and over time, her spine began pressing against her lungs, making it difficult for her to breathe fully.
“When Kiely first came to us, her curvature was noted to be a unique scoliosis called congenital scoliosis,” explained Dr. Mundluru. “This type of scoliosis is due to abnormalities developed when Kiely was just n embryo in her mother’s womb. Although her curve size initially put her in the mild category based on a curve size around 20 degrees, we know that congenital spinal anomalies can rapidly progress at any time and must be monitored closely. As time went on, Kiely’s lungs developed to full maturity, but her curve started rapidly progressing. When the time was right, we created a shared decision plan with input from Kiely and Kaneshia. We outlined an individualized treatment plan that started with halo gravity traction, a method of gently stretching and gradually straightening a severely compressed or curved spine, making it easier to perform the final surgery that locks the spine in its improved position.”
Dr. Mundluru consulted with Eric Klineberg, MD, an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Memorial Hermann and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. Dr Klineberg is a complex scoliosis specialist and has 20 years of experience treating these complex cases. “Utilizing a team approach and a patient-tailored surgical plan, it allows us to provide excellent care, even in the most difficult situations”, explained Dr. Klineberg.
Halo Gravity Traction: How It Works
At Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, the Halo Gravity Traction (HGT) team offers a leading-edge approach to treating pediatric scoliosis. As one of the few hospitals in the region providing this specialized therapy, the team blends advanced technology with personalized, compassionate care. Their goal is to create a treatment plan that’s tailored to each child—helping them prepare for surgery while supporting them throughout their journey toward better spinal alignment and a healthier, more active life.
HGT is a method used to gently stretch and realign the spine in children with severe spinal curvature. The process begins by securing a metal halo to the child’s skull with small pins. This halo is attached to a pulley and spring system that applies gradual, controlled traction as the child sits upright during the day. The traction system is only active during daytime hours, giving the spine time to rest at night.
Kiely was admitted on Jan. 3, 2025, and spent six weeks as an inpatient while undergoing HGT. Each day, she sat in a specially designed chair that supported the traction system, wearing the device for up to 12 hours a day.
“She did fine with the halo,” Kaneshia said. “It helped straighten her back a little bit before the surgery.”
“HGT allows us to gradually stretch and loosen the spine in a safer, more controlled way,” explained Dr. Mundluru. “This not only reduces the risk of complications during surgery but also helps us achieve a more complete correction. In cases of severe scoliosis, the body adapts to the spine’s abnormal shape over time, so correcting it all at once can put significant stress on the spinal cord and nerves. The HGT system allows time for the body to accommodate gradually over time to the changes that will be necessary.”
At Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, the Spine Program takes a team approach from the start. Physical and occupational therapists work closely with patients to assess their needs, maintain muscle tone and prepare them for upcoming procedures. They also help patients adjust to the new positions required in the halo gravity setup. Plus, the pediatric spine nurse navigator team provides personalized education, emotional support and care coordination every step of the way. By bringing together surgical, nursing, therapy and administrative teams, this coordinated effort offers kids the comprehensive care that can lead to a smoother recovery and better long-term results.
A Life-changing Surgery
After weeks of HGT preparation, Kiely was finally ready for the next major step in her scoliosis journey: spinal fusion surgery.
On Feb. 7, 2025, Kiely underwent a 13-hour spinal fusion performed by Dr. Mundluru and Dr. Eric Klineberg. During the procedure, the surgeons performed a vertebral column resection removing the abnormal wedged vertebral body and then rotating and straightening her spinal column. They placed 16 screws, three rods and two hooks to stabilize and straighten her spine. “This is a challenging procedure for both the surgical team and the child, and is reserved for only the most complex spinal deformities,” explained Dr. Klineberg.
Throughout the surgery, Kiely’s mom stayed strong.
“I told myself it was either get it done or live with the risk of losing her,” Kaneshia said tearfully. “It was a very emotional day. But I had my friends and family there to support me and the surgery team was incredible. They checked in with me often, giving updates on each stage of the procedure and explaining everything they were doing. They kept me informed the entire time, which meant everything to me.”
Kiely is the second patient to complete the HGT program followed by the spinal fusion surgery at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. Her post-surgery recovery was amazing. “She was up and walking the very next day,” Kaneshia recalled proudly. “She did physical and occupational therapies every day in the hospital to learn how to move safely, get up on her own and pick things up.”
Physical therapy played a crucial role in Kiely’s recovery after spinal fusion surgery. With her spine now stabilized by implants, Kiely had to relearn how to move safely while rebuilding strength, flexibility and confidence. For her, therapy focused on regaining independence—walking, sitting up, bending and handling everyday tasks. Early mobilization helped prevent complications like blood clots, stiffness and lung issues. Thanks to her dedicated therapy team, Kiely quickly regained her strength and mobility.
Kiely’s New Chapter: Thriving After Surgery
Since undergoing spinal fusion surgery, her spine now shows no visible curvature. She’s steadily returning to the activities she loves most. “She likes to dance, she’s flexible and she’s always been active,” her mom shares. “The only thing I told her is not to twist and turn too much—but other than that, she’s doing great.”
Kiely sees Dr. Mundluru for follow-up care every three months. Kaneshia has nothing but gratitude for the team that helped her daughter through such a life-changing journey. “I love it. I felt like they really cared, like they took their time and made sure she was okay. I’m very thankful to her entire care team. It was a really scary situation, but they made sure everything was right before she left the hospital.”
Thanks to early intervention, advanced surgical techniques and a committed medical team, Kiely is now standing taller—both literally and figuratively—ready to dance her way into a bright and healthy future.
“She’s a very brave girl,” said Kaneshia. “I’m just so grateful she made it through.”