# Stacy Lewis and Scoliosis: From Bracing to LPGA Champion [Celebrities,](/resources/tag/celebrities) [Golf,](/resources/tag/golf) [Scoliosis](/resources/tag/scoliosis) Photo: Wmigda, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 **Stacy Lewis: Scoliosis Couldn’t Stop Her Swing** For Stacy Lewis, golf was more than a sport. It was a place to feel free. At age 11, a school screening identified an asymmetry in Stacy’s back. Follow-up evaluation and X-rays confirmed scoliosis. What followed was a challenging adolescence shaped by a back brace, uncertainty about the future, and a determination to keep pursuing the game she loved. Today, Stacy Lewis is known as one of the most accomplished golfers of her generation. Her path to the top was not easy—but it is a powerful reminder that a scoliosis diagnosis does not have to put dreams on hold. ## A diagnosis at age 11 Stacy was diagnosed with scoliosis after a school screening exam. She began wearing a back brace for approximately 18 hours each day, including while she slept. For more than seven years, the brace became part of her daily routine. [srs](https://www.srs.org/Patient-Stories/Stacys-Story) Like many teenagers treated for scoliosis, Stacy found bracing emotionally difficult. She has spoken openly about worrying about how she looked, what others thought, and trying to hide her brace beneath her clothes. The heat, discomfort, bruising, and the challenge of sleeping in a brace made the experience even harder. [espn](https://www.espn.com/blog/high-school/girl/post/_/id/2218/stacy-lewis-scoliosis-made-me-who-i-am) But there was one part of the day she especially looked forward to: golf practice. > “Golf became my sanctuary.” — Stacy Lewis [cnn](https://www.cnn.com/2013/06/06/health/human-factor-lewis) Golf was the time Stacy could remove her brace and focus on something she loved. The course gave her confidence, purpose, and an outlet during an otherwise difficult period. ## When bracing was not enough Stacy stopped wearing her brace after she finished growing, around age 18. Unfortunately, her spinal curve continued to progress, and surgery was recommended to help prevent further progression. [srs](https://www.srs.org/Patient-Stories/Stacys-Story) The decision was especially difficult because Stacy had recently accepted a golf scholarship to the University of Arkansas. Surgery seemed like it might interrupt—or even end—the career she had worked so hard to pursue. Instead, with support from her family, medical team, and Arkansas golf coach, Stacy made the decision to move forward with treatment. Her surgeon used an approach intended to preserve as much lower-back mobility as possible for her golf swing. The procedure included placement of a rod and five screws, followed by additional bracing and months of rehabilitation. .jpg) Photo: Wmigda, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons ## A return built one shot at a time Recovery required patience. Stacy spent months rebuilding before returning gradually to the game, starting with putting and chipping before progressing to a fuller swing. She missed her first college golf season, but stayed committed to recovery and continued developing her short game. Her comeback was extraordinary. Stacy returned to the University of Arkansas golf team and went on to win the NCAA individual championship. As a professional, she won the 2011 Kraft Nabisco Championship, became LPGA Player of the Year in 2012, and rose to the world No. 1 ranking in 2013. ## **What Stacy’s story can teach us** A scoliosis diagnosis can feel overwhelming—especially for a child or teenager who is concerned about appearance, activities, friendships, sports, or the future. Stacy’s story does not minimize those challenges. Instead, it shows the value of compassionate care, family support, persistence, and a treatment plan tailored to the individual. Her experience is a reminder that: - Wearing a brace can be physically and emotionally challenging, and young people deserve encouragement throughout treatment. - Staying active, when permitted by a treating clinician, can help children continue participating in the activities that bring them confidence and joy. - Treatment plans may change as a child grows, so ongoing monitoring and communication with a qualified spine specialist are important. - Scoliosis may be part of someone’s story, but it does not determine what they can accomplish. ## **Keep moving toward your goals** Stacy Lewis faced years of bracing, major surgery, and rehabilitation before becoming one of the world’s top golfers. Her story is not about ignoring scoliosis—it is about facing it with support, determination, and a plan. If your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, speak with their healthcare provider about appropriate evaluation, monitoring, and treatment options. Every person’s condition is different, and individualized clinical guidance matters. ###### *This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.* ## FAQ - Yes. Stacy Lewis was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 11 after a school screening. She wore a back brace for many years and later had spinal surgery after her curve continued to progress. She returned to competitive golf following recovery and rehabilitation. - Stacy Lewis wore a scoliosis brace for approximately 18 hours a day during her teenage years. Golf practice was a time when she could take off the brace and focus on the sport she loved, subject to the guidance of her care team. - No. Stacy needed time to recover and rebuild her strength after spinal surgery, including a gradual return to golf activities. She later competed in college, won the NCAA individual championship, became an LPGA major champion, and reached world No. 1. #### Related Articles ##### [Shailene Woodley: The Actress Who Braced Her Way Out of Surgery](https://spinaltech.com/resources/celebrities-with-scoliosis-shailene-woodley-actress) ##### [Chloë Sevigny: The Oscar Nominee Living With Untreated Scoliosis](https://spinaltech.com/resources/celebrities-with-scoliosis-chloe-sevigny-actress) ##### [Jessica Ashwood: The Olympic Swimmer Who Refuses to Let Scoliosis Set the Pace](https://spinaltech.com/resources/jessica-ashwood-olympic-swimmer)