Olympic Champion Battling Scoliosis

Usain Bolt became a household name for his record-breaking success at the Olympics. He’s been dubbed “the fastest man in the world” and is the proud owner of 8 olympic gold medals. Among the rest of his athletic training, Bolt also battles scoliosis.

Scoliosis means Bolt has an abnormal curvature of the spine. Most people are diagnosed during childhood. It can be treated with physical therapy, wearing a brace, and sometimes surgery.

When I was younger it wasn’t really a problem. But you grow and it gets worse.

Bolt spoke to ESPN The Magazine in 2011 about his condition.

“My spine’s really curved bad. But if I keep my core and back strong, the scoliosis doesn’t really bother me. So I don’t have to worry about it as long as I work hard. The early part of my career, when we didn’t really know much about it, it really hampered me because I got injured every year.”

Bolt’s condition made his right leg half an inch shorter than his left. in 2010 Bolt did go through a procedure to loosen his back. After that, physical therapy and personal training got him back to normal. in 2016, Bolt dedicated his gold medal to a a member of the team that cared for him.

Have you been dealing with the effects of scoliosis? Consult a spine surgeon about your treatment options by calling our office at 985-400-5778 or by filling out our “Request an Appointment” form below!