Queensbury teen undergoes last limb lengthening surgery
QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – A Queensbury teen just underwent what will likely be his last corrective surgery for limb lengthening. He had been undergoing a series of surgeries for the last decade.
Kory Kosinski has achondroplasia – the most common form of dwarfism. The procedures he’s undergone, which include installing external and internal equipment to lengthen the bones, are not necessary but it has given him the ability to live an independent life.
“It feels wonderful now that I’m basically almost at the finish line. I can’t wait to be done and finally be able to enjoy my life without having to worry about surgeries now,” said Kosinski.
Had Kosinski not had the surgeries he would need help with things like changing his clothes and with personal hygiene. Now he wants to inspire, and educate, others by sharing his journey.
Kosinski and his family returned to Albany from his last surgery on Friday. NEWS10 caught up with one of his doctors.
“The techniques for limb lengthening have been around for decades. The technology has changed so that it’s a little different the way we do it than it was done historically,” said Dr. Craig Robbins.
Kosinski travels to the Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute in Florida for the procedures. His mom Shirley Kosinski said she could not find an orthopedic surgeon in the Capital Region who would do it. She said surgeons here called it medieval.
“I think it’s easy to say something about a subject that maybe you don’t have full information on,” said Dr. Robbins. “I don’t think it’s medieval. I think it’s actually pretty cutting edge and the techniques we use today are even ones we didn’t have five years or 10 years ago.”
Kory said he has not been bullied by kids at school, instead it was online bullying he and his mom received on the NEWS10 Facebook post when we last aired his story.
“I just want them to know that I have gone through so much and this is all my decision. My parents aren’t making me or forcing me to do this. I wanted to do this since I was a little kid, like forever since the first surgery, that was all my choice,” said Kory. He shared this message for bullies. “Learn more about the condition see what I have to go through in order to fit in and be able to go on with my regular everyday life.”
Kosinski will start physical therapy in 8 to 10 weeks. Kory wants to inspire others to seek this kind of treatment, he said it’s been life altering in all the best ways.
“You have that choice to pick yes or no but if you want to have a better lifestyle and be able to reach stuff and just overall live life better than you can always have that option,” said Kosinski.
He would have been around 4 feet tall, now he stands at 5 foot 5 inches. His goal is to walk into school this fall. Kosinski turns 16 years old on June 28 and he can not wait to practice driving.