Monica’s Journey: Life-Changing Scoliosis Surgery Through SpineHope & Medtronic
A Journey from Pain to Hope: Monica’s Story
As a child, Monica Santamaria was full of energy and constantly on the go.
“She loved swimming, volleyball, decorating, and painting,” her father, Roberto, recalled. “Her excitement for life was contagious—she kept us on our toes in the best way. We never imagined anything could be wrong. She seemed perfectly healthy.”
Everything changed when Monica turned six. Her parents began noticing that her body leaned to the left when she walked, and a curve was forming in her spine. After multiple tests in her hometown of Managua, Nicaragua, doctors diagnosed her with scoliosis—a severe spinal curvature that often appears during growth spurts, primarily in young girls.
“We had never even heard of scoliosis, so the diagnosis was devastating,” Roberto said. “The more we learned about it, the more frightened we became.”
Monica soon experienced painful symptoms: back and leg pain, cramps, fatigue, headaches, and sleepless nights. Suddenly, the active girl who loved sports could no longer join gym class or play games that might injure her back.
“I was sad because I loved doing those things,” Monica said. “Sometimes I played alone because teachers didn’t want other kids to accidentally hurt me.”
From Desperation to Hope
Scoliosis can often be treated with spinal surgery, but such advanced care isn’t available in Nicaragua. The Santamarias discovered SpineHope—a U.S.-based nonprofit that organizes medical missions to provide scoliosis treatment in underserved countries, including Nicaragua.
“It’s the most selfless work I’ve ever seen,” said Toby Hernandez, a Medtronic Cranial and Spinal Technologies sales representative who volunteers with SpineHope. “These families have no other options. When they learn their child is finally getting help, the room fills with tears—including ours.”
Each year, volunteer teams organize two to four missions, with three trips already planned for 2025. These missions require enormous preparation: packing and shipping nearly 30 containers of specialized surgical equipment and spine implants to create a fully functional operating room in another country.
“It’s hard work, but it’s life-changing,” said Whitney Scurlock-Wood, a Medtronic spinal sales representative who has volunteered with SpineHope for four years. “Seeing the difference in these families’ lives is incredible. I take something away from every mission.”
On some occasions, SpineHope brings patients to the U.S. for surgery—and that’s what happened for Monica.
“It Didn’t Hurt Anymore”
Before surgery, Monica underwent a month-long treatment using a halo-gravity traction device, which gradually stretched her spine. A metal ring was attached to her head, and weights were slowly added to a pulley system, eventually totaling 35 pounds—nearly half her body weight. This process reduced her spinal curve from 127 degrees to 73 degrees and prepared her for surgery.
Volunteer surgeons then performed the corrective procedure using donated Medtronic spinal implants. Several Medtronic team members were part of the eight-hour operation.
Monica’s recovery began the very next day.
“The medical team helped her stand up and take her first steps,” Roberto said. “It was incredible to see.”
Just a week later, Monica left the hospital—pain-free and walking on her own.
“It didn’t hurt anymore, and I could do the things I love again,” she said.
Today, Monica is back to swimming, volleyball, skating, and painting—the hobbies that once brought her so much joy. Her smile has returned, and her future looks bright.
“I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me,” she said. “They gave me my life back.”
Since 2008, Medtronic has partnered with SpineHope to transform the lives of more than 200 children.
“Medtronic is deeply committed to helping the right people for the right reasons,” Hernandez said. “It’s inspiring to be part of this mission.”
As a child, Monica Santamaria was full of energy and constantly on the go.
“She loved swimming, volleyball, decorating, and painting,” her father, Roberto, recalled. “Her excitement for life was contagious—she kept us on our toes in the best way. We never imagined anything could be wrong. She seemed perfectly healthy.”
Everything changed when Monica turned six. Her parents began noticing that her body leaned to the left when she walked, and a curve was forming in her spine. After multiple tests in her hometown of Managua, Nicaragua, doctors diagnosed her with scoliosis—a severe spinal curvature that often appears during growth spurts, primarily in young girls.
“We had never even heard of scoliosis, so the diagnosis was devastating,” Roberto said. “The more we learned about it, the more frightened we became.”
Monica soon experienced painful symptoms: back and leg pain, cramps, fatigue, headaches, and sleepless nights. Suddenly, the active girl who loved sports could no longer join gym class or play games that might injure her back.
“I was sad because I loved doing those things,” Monica said. “Sometimes I played alone because teachers didn’t want other kids to accidentally hurt me.”
From Desperation to Hope
Scoliosis can often be treated with spinal surgery, but such advanced care isn’t available in Nicaragua. The Santamarias discovered SpineHope—a U.S.-based nonprofit that organizes medical missions to provide scoliosis treatment in underserved countries, including Nicaragua.
“It’s the most selfless work I’ve ever seen,” said Toby Hernandez, a Medtronic Cranial and Spinal Technologies sales representative who volunteers with SpineHope. “These families have no other options. When they learn their child is finally getting help, the room fills with tears—including ours.”
Each year, volunteer teams organize two to four missions, with three trips already planned for 2025. These missions require enormous preparation: packing and shipping nearly 30 containers of specialized surgical equipment and spine implants to create a fully functional operating room in another country.
“It’s hard work, but it’s life-changing,” said Whitney Scurlock-Wood, a Medtronic spinal sales representative who has volunteered with SpineHope for four years. “Seeing the difference in these families’ lives is incredible. I take something away from every mission.”
On some occasions, SpineHope brings patients to the U.S. for surgery—and that’s what happened for Monica.
“It Didn’t Hurt Anymore”
Before surgery, Monica underwent a month-long treatment using a halo-gravity traction device, which gradually stretched her spine. A metal ring was attached to her head, and weights were slowly added to a pulley system, eventually totaling 35 pounds—nearly half her body weight. This process reduced her spinal curve from 127 degrees to 73 degrees and prepared her for surgery.
Volunteer surgeons then performed the corrective procedure using donated Medtronic spinal implants. Several Medtronic team members were part of the eight-hour operation.
Monica’s recovery began the very next day.
“The medical team helped her stand up and take her first steps,” Roberto said. “It was incredible to see.”
Just a week later, Monica left the hospital—pain-free and walking on her own.
“It didn’t hurt anymore, and I could do the things I love again,” she said.
Today, Monica is back to swimming, volleyball, skating, and painting—the hobbies that once brought her so much joy. Her smile has returned, and her future looks bright.
“I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me,” she said. “They gave me my life back.”
Since 2008, Medtronic has partnered with SpineHope to transform the lives of more than 200 children.
“Medtronic is deeply committed to helping the right people for the right reasons,” Hernandez said. “It’s inspiring to be part of this mission.”
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