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Harrington Rod and lower back pain
Spine Health | Last Active: Aug 18 11:46pm | Replies (73)Comment receiving replies
Thank you. I don't have any issues with the rod itself, but its the lower lumbar spine that is the problem with degenerative disc disease. I don't think I'm different than anyone else that has this problem. I'm waiting for a neurosurgeon to review my CT scan, my SPECT CT scan and my MRI to make a decision on what to do. I just have to continue to be patient and hope for the best. I'm just getting grouchy as I'm in pain 24/7 where before I could sit or lay down and relieve the pain and that doesn't happen now.
Replies to "Thank you. I don't have any issues with the rod itself, but its the lower lumbar..."
@sutherlin. What. Did. The. Neurosurgeon. Say
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Hi Sutherlin. I just read your original post. I, too had a harrington rod placed in my spine in 1969.(lowT - L3). I led a very active lifestyle afterwards...golf, tennis, snow and waterskiing. And the birth of two children. In Dec.1991 I started having sharp pain in my lower back that extended down my leg. Because this was workers comp. It took forever to get to see doctors and specialists. I had a few injections that didn't work. The pain increased to weakness, as well. After 6 months, I finally saw an Orthopedist who specialized in rods. He thought that might be the problem. He did exploratory surgery and found out that the bottom bracket of the rod had come loose. Unfortunately, it had been rubbing on my nerve for six months and left permanent weakness in my right leg.
Unfortunately, this doctor also did a laminectomy at the L-4 level which eventually led to spondilolithesis. In 2006 and 2007 (first one failed), I had major anterior and posterior fusions L-4, L-5, S-1. After this surgery, I developed CRPS. I have constant pain and weakness in my right leg and I've been walking with a cane since. I tripped on a rug in 2011 and caused a double fracture of my pelvis. Then in 2014, I fell and broke my right humerus. Finally, last year, I developed an atypical femoral fracture in my left leg (my good leg) caused by Prolia which I had been taking for osteoporosis. I had a rod placed in the femur and secured with three screws this past January. That seems to have healed. But my CRPS pain is worse. And numbness appears to be starting in my left leg. I take a mixture of meds including cymbalta, lyrica and oxycontin. I cut my oxycontin from 90mg. daily to 15 daily. (It took about a year to do this) I just recently started taking MM drops under my tongue and cream for my foot. It seems to take the edge off. It would be great if this combination really helps.
Probably any more than you or anyone else wants to read. I find this to be a great sight and I am open to any other suggestions to help with the pain and weakness.
Kathy