Harrington Rod and lower back pain

Hi sutherlin, welcome to Connect. Thank you for taking the time to share with the community about your concerns regarding the Harrington rods.

I would like to introduce you to @suee, who also had Harrington rods placed in the 1970s. Suee may be able to talk about her experience with Harrington rods from a young age and some of the discomfort that you may be feeling.

It may also be worth it to read through an older discussion that took place in Connect regarding Harrington rods and scoliosis. The conversation has not been active for some time, but you may find some information by reading through the conversation. You can find that here, http://mayocl.in/2gXaQE3.

@sutherlin, how long did your physician say the shots would last?

I had L4-5 and did the steroid routine but as time went on the pain return faster. I did stem cells and in four weeks I was pain free. No operation for me. No more steroids etc. win<br><br>

They never really gave me a time line since the shot duration is different for everyone. The first one I had in March between the L2-L3 is still working, but i worked really fast. The two I got yesterday don't seem to be doing anything.

I've been looking into stem cell. I think it's the same as the injections. For some people it works and for some it doesn't, but my options are becoming few and far between.

I'm now into this second set of steroid injections 4 days and nothing. So upset and discouraged that these aren't working. Don't know where I go from here for pain relief. Have a follow up app't on Dec. 15th, I guess we will wait and see where to go next with this.

Where can I find info on stem cells for this

I recommend you look at the regenexx web site. They put all their research on the web plus they have E books available to read. I have looked at other companies but cannot find research. I know the Mayo Clinic does stem cells. I listened to one of their webinars and that got me started. Regenexx also has webinars available.

One thing I learned from using stem cells. Steroids damage stem cells along with Motrin etc. my experience with steroids is they worked at first and pain relief lessened as time went on.

Thanks for the info about stem cells. I will look into that.

I have a Herrington Rod and lots of issues related to that.

What has been most helpful for me so far: Swimming (#1), keeping my weight down, PT, jacuzzi, chiropractor, accupuncture, massage, heating pad, getting up and down, steroid injections for radiating pain, cognitive therapy for chronic pain, Laminectomy in L3-L4, L4-L5 (which worked for about 6 years)

What has not worked: periferal nerve stimulator that was just put in the lowest vertebra, Cymbalta, Neurontin, Lyrica, glucosamine chondroitin, meds (I had pancreatitis because of too much ibioprofen, so I take hardly anything.), Flexeril (limited amount some nights)

I just had a sacro-coccygeal injection. It may have helped some. I will know for sure in a few days. If it does not turn out to be the solution, the options I am looking at are: Nevpro periferal nerve stimulator that goes up higher in the spine, laminectomy, spinal fusion all the way down from the original Herrington Rod fusion, and now stem cell therapy.

Hello @bethmcch, welcome to Connect. Thank you for jumping in to the Harrington rods conversation. I hope @sutherlin comes back to this conversation as they were hoping to get insight from another person with Harrington rods regarding pain. You spoke about a bunch of great coping mechanisms and ones that have not worked so well, thank you.

@bethmcch, what sort of pain have you experienced because of your Harrington rods? What other issues have you experienced?