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Harrington rods and complications

Posted by lisa7777 @lisa7777, Jul 1, 2020

I am new here but like many of you I had scoliosis resulting in surgery, and Harrington Rods .I was 15 and I am 59. I had 48 degree curve in my thoracic area. For the last 14 yrs. I have numerous other spine problems. everything above and below my rods is starting to give me issues. I've been in pain management for yrs. I just need someone to tell me that the problems I'm having now are the results of having spinal fusion 45yrs. ago when I wasn't done growing

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jtcz0 | @jtcz0 | Feb 8 7:32pm
In reply to @lisa7777 "thanks for your information No I haven't seen a surgeon I really don't want to be..." + (show)
@lisa7777

thanks for your information No I haven't seen a surgeon I really don't want to be cut on any more. Yes I do have severe arthritis, in low back and neck. Degeneration in my discs, I am tired of the circle in pain management they fix one side, then the other side then it's my neck the same thing by the time it's done here we go again. It's a never ending circle. No one will give me painkillers which DO work. I am at the end of my rope. but I will not have surgery I'm getting too old for that. I did play a lot of sports, and was very active back in the day. At around age 40, is when I started hurting real bad too the point of crying because I couldn't get my chores done. I just want to know why the Dr's. won't listen. thank you for responding

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Sorry to hear of your problem, you need to go to a pain clinic. I live in PA, I had my surgery in 1971 in Canada. My back started hurting 10 years ago. I do 30mg of oxycodone 5 times a day. But my niece lives in AZ and she has to go to a pain management clinic to get her pain meds, it depends on which state you live in, its why I am stuck in PA, even now I can't find a doctor. And mine is going to retire soon, I have no idea what I am going to do. I am so indicted. I can't stop doing them for over 24 hours, or I get sick. I wish I never would of started them. Have you tried a tens unit. It give small electric shocks to the area and get some relieve. My old doctor told me to do pull ups, that does work by strengthen you back muscles, yoga works some what. But pull ups work the best. I did them for six months and my pain decreased by 50 percent. hope this helps some. I know what your going thou all to much.

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1 reply
simonetta | @simonetta | Feb 9 8:04am
In reply to @jtcz0 "Sorry to hear of your problem, you need to go to a pain clinic. I live..." + (show)
@jtcz0

Sorry to hear of your problem, you need to go to a pain clinic. I live in PA, I had my surgery in 1971 in Canada. My back started hurting 10 years ago. I do 30mg of oxycodone 5 times a day. But my niece lives in AZ and she has to go to a pain management clinic to get her pain meds, it depends on which state you live in, its why I am stuck in PA, even now I can't find a doctor. And mine is going to retire soon, I have no idea what I am going to do. I am so indicted. I can't stop doing them for over 24 hours, or I get sick. I wish I never would of started them. Have you tried a tens unit. It give small electric shocks to the area and get some relieve. My old doctor told me to do pull ups, that does work by strengthen you back muscles, yoga works some what. But pull ups work the best. I did them for six months and my pain decreased by 50 percent. hope this helps some. I know what your going thou all to much.

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I am going to be starting physical therapy for pain in my back from Harrington rod placement at age 15. I am 60 now. We are sort of in a dilemm with these rods. My orthopedic prescribed anti inflammatory which I can't take due to stomach upset. I would suggest for you to go to rehab to get off the Oxy. Seems we have an epidemic in the US with this and see if you can get something else. Good luck to all of us.

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scoliosisgirl | @scoliosisgirl | May 4 11:35am

I had surgery for scoliosis with Harrington rod in 1978 when I was 20 years old. My curve was measured as 48 degrees and located in my thoracic spine. I have been having increasing pain above and blow my fusion for the last five years. I am being seen by a Doctor at Duke now who has been working with scoliosis patients who had surgery in early adulthood and are now having problems. First doctor to really validate my pain. I can not stand or walk longer than 10-15 minutes because of low back pain and bilateral leg pain. I hope this helps you in some way and feel free to reach out to me.

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jenatsky | @jenatsky | May 8 2:53pm

I had a fall in 1988 which led to L4-S1 fusion surgery in 1990 with stainless steel hardware. All these years later they learned that SS is not a good choice for fusions and I’m having issues above L4. I’m not keen on reliving the initial post pain again so I’ve opted to stay put with my old metal. I have 23 and 25 degree curves in lumbar and thoracic which have improved slightly over the years. Due to the twisting of the spine with scoliosis my left upper back and I are back at PT. I do love my physical therapists.

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afklasen2024 | @afklasen2024 | May 9 12:23pm
In reply to @lilypaws "@lisa7777 I am so sorry you have so much pain. If you could see my Primary..." + (show)
@lilypaws

@lisa7777 I am so sorry you have so much pain. If you could see my Primary Care I feel he would give you something for pain, like Hydrocodone. Have you tried another doctor or a pain clinic. Even Mayo Clinic may give you pain pills. You could see a neurologist there that might help you.
Blessings for less pain.

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Won't give me pain pills for Feb 1st surgery. I ice and Tylenol.
Keep moving!
Water exercise helps, don't over do..

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