Patient Stories

Twin Sisters Gain New Independence

Eva and Erika - former conjoined twins smiling

Story Summary

Conjoined twins Eva and Erika were surgically separated in December of 2016 at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. The operation gave the sisters the opportunity to live their lives as independent individuals but didn’t eliminate every orthopaedic challenge they both faced.

Eva and Erika each only have one leg, lack a fully formed pelvis, and struggle with curvature of the spine, known as scoliosis. To tackle these physical difficulties and ensure the girls live healthy, happy lives, their parents brought them to Shriners Hospitals for Children® — Northern California.

Our team of experts collaborated on innovative designs for customized prosthetic devices that would support the girls’ body weights and allow for the necessary range of motion to move freely. Now five years old, Eva and Erika are able to walk on new prosthetic legs.

It took a little encouragement, at first, to get the girls to try the prostheses, but because of the care and support they received at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California, Eva and Erika can play and explore upright, instead of scooting on the floor the way they used to.

It’s thrilling to see them enjoy so much mobility and independence. Your support of the specialized care these twins, and so many other young patients, need has changed their lives. And with your help, we can continue to treat Eva and Erika as they grow, so they can keep playing and learning to reach their full potential.

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