Marta Fort, daughter of Ricardo Fort, revealed she will undergo spinal surgery in Minnesota to correct scoliosis caused by hemiparesia, a condition she’s lived with since birth. The procedure, requiring three months of immobilization, has sparked family anxiety due to her father’s traumatic medical history.
Marta Fort, the daughter of Ricardo Fort, has confirmed she will undergo a complex spinal surgery in Minnesota to address scoliosis exacerbated by hemiparesia, a neurological condition she has managed since childhood. The procedure, which will require three months of full spinal immobilization, has intensified family concerns, echoing the medical trauma their household endured during Ricardo Fort’s own surgeries.
A Lifelong Battle with Hemiparesia
Marta’s condition originated when a brief oxygen deprivation in the left side of her brain caused hemiparesia, a partial loss of motor function affecting her right side.
Marta Fort said she had felt short of breath on the left side of her brain for a few seconds, which affected her entire motor function.
she explained during an appearance on PH Podemos Hablar, citing the event that shaped her physical challenges. Over decades, she underwent 22 years of kinesiology, orthotic devices, and experimental treatments, including a month-long stay in China at age eight for injection-based therapy.
Marta Fort said she believed the 22 years of kinesiology she had undergone were more helpful.
she emphasized, attributing her current mobility to sustained rehabilitation.
The uneven gait from her hemiparesia eventually led to a double-curve scoliosis, prompting her medical team to recommend surgery.
Marta Fort said it would be three months of total spinal immobilization.
she described, detailing the postoperative recovery. Despite her fear—
Marta Fort said she was a bit scared because it was tough.
—she acknowledged the intervention’s necessity:
Marta Fort said she believed that at this point, she couldn’t be better without the surgery.
Ricardo Fort’s Medical Legacy and Family Anxiety
The prospect of surgery has reignited trauma for Marta’s family, who witnessed Ricardo Fort’s harrowing medical journey. He underwent multiple spinal and knee surgeries, including a 2010 procedure where six titanium screws and two espaciadores were implanted, followed by a 2013 operation involving 16 screws and rods. His recovery was fraught with complications: a 2011 surgery was halted mid-procedure due to arrhythmia, and a knee infection led to temporary prosthetic removal. His death at 45 from a stomach hemorrhage, linked to infections from prior surgeries, left lasting scars.
Marta Fort said her family didn’t like that idea because they were very traumatized by her father’s case.
Marta admitted, noting her relatives’ apprehension. She contrasted her father’s defiant recovery—
Marta Fort said he wasn’t the best patient.
Marta Fort said he would have a spinal operation and three days later was lifting heavy weights at the gym.
—with her own cautious approach.
The Surgery’s Risks and Family Dynamics
Marta’s decision reflects a delicate balance between medical necessity and familial fears. While her current physical state—
Marta Fort said she was fortunately 10 out of 10 in terms of the treatment her father underwent.
—suggests stability, her doctors argue that scoliosis progression could worsen without intervention. The Minnesota surgery will require her to temporarily pause her routine, a challenge for a media figure accustomed to visibility.
The family’s anxiety is compounded by unresolved questions about Ricardo Fort’s medical care.
As Marta prepares for the surgery, the key unknowns revolve around her recovery trajectory and whether the procedure will alleviate her long-term mobility challenges. Her father’s legacy looms large: will her experience mirror his medical struggles, or will modern orthopedic techniques provide a smoother path? For now, the focus remains on the immediate task—
Marta Fort said if she didn’t do it, it wasn’t that bad, and she considered herself quite well.
she conceded, acknowledging the uncertainty ahead.
