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At just 13 years old, Brynn Rux has already lived a story of grit, talent, and resilience. A nationally ranked snowboarder from the Twin Cities metro, Brynn spends much of her life carving down the slopes at Buck Hill, often one of the only girls in the terrain park and always one of the most determined.
"It took a lot of overcoming mental blocks and just being comfortable being in the park with older people," Brynn said, reflecting on her early rise in the sport.
A Congenital Scoliosis Diagnosis
But in early 2025, everything changed. Persistent back and shoulder pain, something she initially brushed off as "probably just pain from snowboarding," led to an X ray that stunned her family. The scan revealed a severe 56 degree curve in her spine caused by congenital scoliosis.
"Even seeing her X ray, it looked like it was broken," her mother, Stefanie said. "It didn't even look like scoliosis."
Brynn was quickly referred to Gillette Children's, one of the nation's largest and oldest providers of care for pediatric spine conditions of all severities. Gillette Children's and its Spine Institute is the first in the Midwest to earn DNV Advanced Pediatric Spine Certification. The designation recognizes excellence in delivering high-quality diagnostic, surgical, and therapeutic care for pediatric spine patients. That means the team understood both the urgency of Brynn's case and the dreams she was fighting to protect.
Making a Treatment Plan for Congenital Scoliosis
Her surgeon Joseph Perra recommended spinal fusion surgery in June 2025. The timing would allow for the greatest correction and the best long term outcome, while still giving her a shot at returning to snowboarding.
"Doing it a little bit earlier allows us to get a greater degree of correction," Dr. Perra said. "We made a plan that Brynn was comfortable with, knowing she wanted to get back on the hill as soon as possible."
That kind of personalized planning is central to how the Spine Institute operates. Providers consider each child's unique circumstances, aspirations, and preferences as part of the assessment and treatment plan. This patient-centered approach shaped every decision made for Brynn. Care informed by more than 125 years of clinical excellence, research, and health education meant her team had seen complex cases like hers before and knew how to chart the best path forward.
13-year-old snowboarder Brynn Rux returns to slopes after spinal fusion surgery at Gillette Children's
Spinal Fusion Surgery and Recovery
The procedure involved placing two rods to straighten her spine, and the expected recovery timeline was a full year. But Brynn had other plans and recovered far faster than anyone predicted. Within five to six months, she was back on her snowboard.
"I know that I've gone through this really hard thing, and nothing is probably going to be scarier than what I just went through," Brynn said. "If I can do this, I can do anything."
Her return wasn't just a comeback; she said she feels more comfortable on the hill than ever before. With her spine aligned, her mechanics improved, giving her more power and control on the snow. Today, Brynn is competing better than ever, her sights set on future world competitions and even the Olympics.
Gillette Children's Spine team helped her reclaim her passion, but Brynn's courage will carry her the rest of the way.
