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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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kathy911959 | @kathy911959 | Nov 7 10:45am
In reply to @georgiaweseleybrooks "I had 12 vertebrae fused in 1961. Then in 1987 had Harrington rods put in. I..." + (show)
@georgiaweseleybrooks

I had 12 vertebrae fused in 1961. Then in 1987 had Harrington rods put in. I am now 76 and my right leg and foot are totally numb. I am on walker and wonder if anything can be done.

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I found a great Doctor on the Scoliosis Foundation Website. I had my fusion in 1975 at 16, then 2015 had remaining 4 bottom fused. Feet burn and are numb, I have broken both ankles. Tore my knee and had it replaced. This isnt for sissy's!!!

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kathy911959 | @kathy911959 | Nov 7 10:47am

Yes, Our issues really have not been studied as well as they should have been.

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Nov 9 5:49pm
In reply to @kathy911959 "I had a fusion in 1975 just having turned 16. my curve was 64/32 with internal..." + (show)
@kathy911959

I had a fusion in 1975 just having turned 16. my curve was 64/32 with internal rotation and rib drop. Previously I had been in a Milwaukee Brace for 3 years. I was fused from T4-L2 with correction to 32/14. Harrington Rod, in bed for 2 months flat, infection and extreme bleeding during surgery. Placed in cast for 6 months, then plastic jacket for 6 months. Did well until I hit 33 and ruptured my 1st lumbar disc. Proceeded to rupture all 4 remaining bottoms. Fast forward in 2015 had my lower spine fused after developing Scoliosis. Now fused from T4 to tailbone Was doing as well as expected until about 4 months ago. I have now developed severe pain between my shoulder blades, pain in my chest and shoulders. Having a Cat Scan tomorrow. have also been diagnosed with an Autoimmune Disease. Important to stay as active as possible and get Mental Therapy. Dealing with these issues are very difficult and as we know, back then we didnt get any help with how hard this is on a kid. Both my sons also had fusions at 16 and are starting to have issues but continue to hold full time jobs.

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@kathy911959 Welcome to Connect. It must have been a difficult journey for you with all the spine surgery. I'm glad your here, not just for your shared experience, but because members here can also offer support to you. Staying active and involved helps. I am a spine surgery patient and had a single level cervical fusion. My journey was overcoming a lot of fear in facing my surgery, so that is why I like to help on Connect; to help members cope with and understand medical procedures.

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Sophie46 | @sophie46 | Nov 10 11:56am

I crushed L1 in 1986 and my back was fused with rods and screws. This fusion failed in 1990 and I then had Harrington rods, which were to be removed after a year or two. My surgeon left Canada and I could not find anyone to remove the rods. In 2015, I was losing my ability to walk and was referred to a team of surgeons. They decided to operate and they removed the Harrington rods and installed further rods and screws, which are from T10 to L5. I was able to walk, but sadly I can now only walk the length of my rancher with difficulty.

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