A teen, 13, who suffered from a mysterious muscle condition that left her head stuck at a 90-degree angle, underwent a “successful” life-changing operation to straighten her neck.
- Afshin Kumbar is believed to have a muscle disease that causes a bowed neck.
- A 13-year-old Pakistani girl ventured a life-changing neck straightening surgery.
- She suffered from a rare condition that caused her neck to bend at a 90-degree angle.
- The teenager struggled to eat, walk, use the toilet and could not go to school.
A 13-year-old girl who suffered from a mysterious muscle disorder that left her head bent at a 90-degree angle has undergone a life-changing neck-straightening operation.
Afshin Kumbar is believed to be suffering from a medical condition that causes her severely twisted neck, known medically as torticollis.
The problem first appeared when she was only eight months old after she injured her neck while playing outside.
Unable to hold her head upright, Afshin lives in constant pain that makes it difficult for her to eat, use the toilet and even walk.
Afshin’s condition also prevents her from going to school as she spends her days at home in Mithi in Sindh, Pakistan, with her mother Jamilan, 54, and older brother, Mohammad Yaqub Kumbar, 29.
However, last week Afshin underwent a life-changing operation at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Sindh, which was a huge success, and she is now recovering in intensive care.
Pictured, 13-year-old Afshin Kumbar, who suffered from a mysterious condition that left her head bent at a 90-degree angle, underwent life-changing surgery.
The teen (pictured) is believed to be suffering from a muscular disorder that has caused her to develop a severely twisted neck, known medically as torticollis. The problem first appeared when she was only eight months old after she injured her neck while playing outside.
Afshin (pictured) underwent a life-changing operation at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Sindh, which was a huge success, and is now recovering in intensive care.
Afshin, one of six children, was born healthy, but things changed dramatically when she was only eight months old and she fell while playing outside.
Torticollis can be caused by injuries to the spine or neck muscles. This causes spasm of the neck muscles, which can lead to head twisting.
At first, Afshin’s parents ignored her twisted neck until things got worse.
Due to their limited funds, they eventually took her to a local healer, but it didn’t help.
Afshin’s story caught the world’s attention two years ago, and a GoFundMe page was set up to help her family pay for the operation.
In February 2018, the girl was taken to the Aga Khan University Hospital, where specialists said they would operate on her, but gave her a “50 percent chance of survival.”
“They told us there was a 50 percent chance of a successful operation and asked us to go home and think about it,” said Afshin’s older brother Mohmad Yakub.
Afshin, one of six children, was born healthy, but things changed dramatically when she was only eight months old and she fell while playing outside.
Afshin with her older brother Mohmad Yaqub (right), who helped look after her over the years.
He previously added: “My mother earns £60 working in other people’s houses. This is how we make ends meet. We don’t have money to pay for her hospital treatment.
“We can’t even take her to the hospital because she can’t use public transport. And a private taxi costs £70. [for] every journey.
Mr Yacoub and his family now rely on GoFundMe for Afsheen donations, which have raised over £30,000 from people around the world.
Afshin will need another operation throughout her life to continue straightening her neck, and her mother asked the public to “help their cause” and keep donating to save their daughter.