This was somebody who was able to run up and down a basketball court and, within a relatively short period of time, began struggling to walk.
For most of her 27 years Courtney enjoyed being active, especially playing varsity basketball. When she was away at college in Florida, her mother Muriel worried when she complained of the pain she was experiencing in her neck, spine, and ankles.
Muriel said, 鈥淲e were dealing with it long distance, once she started complaining I was pretty alarmed because she never complained about anything. We weren鈥檛 sure whether the difficulties she was having were related or if they were two different things.鈥�
It was time for Courtney to come back home to Boston鈥nd to find out what was causing her discomfort.
Referral to Brigham and Women鈥檚
In 2007, Courtney came to Brigham and Women鈥檚. Through a series of evaluations, it was soon determined that Courtney鈥檚 neck and spine pain was caused by a rare malformation called Arnold-Chiari.
鈥淪he was diagnosed with Arnold-Chiari which involves abnormalities where the brain and spinal cord meet,鈥� Muriel said. 鈥淚t was rare that she had not been diagnosed until then鈥ften it is seen at birth.鈥�
The doctors told Courtney that one wrong move, a hit, or a fall, could have caused a life-threatening injury to her spinal cord 鈥� a frightening realization for both she and Muriel. 鈥淐ourtney is a real trooper; she sees the glass half full and lives her life accordingly. For me it was difficult,鈥� said Muriel.
Courtney underwent a complex six-hour surgery - performed by both a neurosurgeon and an orthopaedic surgeon. Throughout her recovery, and afterwards, she continued to experience pain in her ankle and in the middle of her foot. While she thought it was probably the result of an old basketball injury, Courtney decided to no longer take anything for granted and decided to have it checked out.
An additional diagnosis
Courtney鈥檚 surgeons referred her to a rheumatologist for evaluation and, shortly thereafter, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
Muriel said, 鈥淭he doctors really worked in consort in terms of updating and informing each other and that was important for me. They were sharing conversations with me that they had with each other about Courtney鈥檚 condition.鈥�
Once the diagnosis was made, treatment moved very quickly for Courtney.
鈥淲hen she began the medications I immediately saw a difference in the way that she walked, in her attitude, and the way that she felt. I knew we were on the right track,鈥� said Muriel.
Back to basketball
In the past year, Courtney has been undergoing medical therapy for her rheumatoid arthritis and has been able to resume work and the activities she enjoys.
鈥淪he exercises, we take walks and she even jogs from time to time,鈥� Muriel said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 continuing to progress and feel the effects of the medications 鈥� she鈥檚 doing really well.鈥�
And while she can no longer run the way she once could, Courtney is back at the basketball court enjoying the sport she loves. 鈥淪he鈥檚 found another way to channel her love for basketball and is working with young girls in the community by coaching them,鈥� said Muriel.
鈥淚 was impressed with the amount of time the doctors took to discuss her condition and answer our questions. I never felt rushed or hurried or that there was a question I couldn鈥檛 ask,鈥� Muriel said. 鈥淚 knew that the team of doctors had been down this path before and understood what we as a family were going through.鈥�
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