'Folded Boy' Finally Stands Tall After Living Most Of His Life With A Spine Bent At A 180-Degree Angle

After living for years bent forward at a 180-degree angle, a young man has finally been able to stand upright for the very first time in his life. His remarkable transformation has drawn attention both in China and abroad.

Jiang Yanchen, who comes from Shandong province in China, has been battling an extreme and rare form of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This chronic condition causes inflammation in the spine and other parts of the body, gradually forcing his back into a severe curve.

As his condition worsened, Jiang’s neck bent further and further backward until his entire body folded into a sharp 'Z' shape that left him unable to live normally.

At its most extreme stage, Jiang’s head and hips were only a few inches apart, leaving him trapped in a constant state of pain. The physical strain was relentless and affected every part of his daily life.

Now 21 years old, Jiang described how AS made even basic activities nearly impossible. Walking, eating, and breathing became challenges, and tests showed that his lung capacity was operating at only 20 percent of a healthy person’s. At school, he often had no choice but to kneel or lie flat in order to manage his discomfort.

Unfortunately, limited medical resources in his area meant he went without proper treatment for years, leaving his condition to worsen unchecked.

Jiang Yanchen, known as the 'folded boy,' underwent four surgeries to correct the 180-degree deformity in his spine YouTube/South China Morning Post

Everything began to change in 2023. In the last two years, Jiang has gone through four large-scale surgeries to repair and straighten his spine. The procedures were extensive and risky, with doctors having to break and reconstruct bones in his lower and upper spine, as well as in his hips and chest area.

The final surgery, which took place in June, lasted an exhausting 12 hours. Despite its difficulty, it was a turning point for Jiang’s life.

Right after the procedure, he was able to lie fully flat on a hospital bed for the first time. According to the Global Times, his spine had been corrected by nearly 170 degrees, a staggering medical achievement.

After weeks of rehabilitation and rigorous physical therapy, Jiang took his first upright steps in front of an audience during a livestream, showing the world just how far he had come.

His medical team, led by orthopedic surgeon Liang Yijian, described the case as 'the world's first successful 180-degree spinal orthopaedic surgery,' marking it as a milestone in modern medicine.

Liang praised Jiang for his determination, noting that the treatment not only restored his posture but also brought his heart and lung functions back to normal. He emphasized that Jiang 'showed persistence much greater than that of an ordinary human being'.

Two months after his final surgery, Jiang took his first upright steps YouTube/South China Morning Post

Speaking after the life-changing surgeries, Jiang shared his thoughts: "All the pain is worth it when I see myself more like an ordinary person," He went on to say that the experience left him feeling like he had been given a second chance at life, describing it as being 'reborn.'

With his health improving, Jiang now plans to return to university later this month, eager to resume his studies and continue building a future for himself.

When his story reached Reddit, thousands of users responded with admiration and encouragement for both him and the doctors who made it possible.

One commenter remarked: "I can't imagine the pain this guy went through before and after and especially the recovery. Mad props!" while another expressed their gratitude by writing: "Modern medicine is magnificent despite a very loud minority trying their absolute best to undermine it."

A third person was amazed by the achievement, saying: "It's mind blowing what we can do," and another summed it up in just a few words: "Hell yeah medical science."