Surgeons are helping a teenager save his neck by shortening it.
Fu Wengui, 15, of Beijing, is preparing to go under the knife because he’s reportedly caused immense pain by the three extra vertebrae in his neck.
The teen has 10 vertebrae in his neck while the average person has seven, according to Quirky China, which released photos of him at the hospital. The vertebrae compress his nerves, making it difficult for him to walk.
“When he was six he was diagnosed with congenital scoliosis and abnormal chest frame,” Wengui’s father, Fu Genyou, told agency.
Congenital scoliosis is a spinal deformity caused by abnormally formed vertebrae, and usually occurs in early development, according to the Scoliosis Research Society. Wengui’s surgery will reduce the size of his neck and hopefully enhance movement and reduce pain.
A Beijing-based charity will sponsor his surgery at Chaoyang Hospital, which is working on a treatment plan, according to Quirky News’ press release.
“I just hope I can have a normal neck,” Wengui said.
(Hattip to Daily Mail, HuffPost)
