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Harrington rods and complications
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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I am having a lot of nerve pain as a result of severe stenosis in my lumbar spine and foraminal stenosis among other things. I had severe osteoporosis which made me avoid fusion but now after having a laminotomy without fusion my pain came back. Can anyone recommend surgeon at Mayo clinic who can deal with nerve damage and revision surgery? I've consulted the surgeons at the best hospitals and they all say I need fusion but they can't guarantee that it's going to get rid of my symptoms or at least not what percentage. I'm afraid to get a huge fusion and then have no pain relief. I'm looking for any advice out there about who to see as far as a surgeon and your experiences if you've had nerve damage. Thanks everyone
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1 Reaction@annie1 I did not have nerve damage (to the best of my knowledge) although I had a lot of sciatica pain before my surgery. My surgeon, Dr McClendon, is a neurosurgeon at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic. There are several youtube videos of him giving presentations on different surgical methods and different back issues.
He did an amazing job with my back surgery and I am almost 8 months post op and only dealing with the pain of healing from the surgery itself.
If you decide to get an opinion from him, I would recommend that you call his office and send him any X-rays, cat scans, and mri’s that you have and see if he will accept you as a patient. I found that calling his office and checking in, really helped to move things along and they even said they appreciated the communication.
Every time I sent them some imaging, I called to confirm that they received it. This helped because there was an issue receiving my CAT scan and it could’ve been weeks before they got a hold of me looking for it.
I really hope you find the right surgeon to help heal you!😊🙏
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4 ReactionsHi Annie,
My reponse is similar to Sherry's.
My nerve pain was primarily in my right leg and still is. But the thought is with time it will go away.
My surgeon, Dr. Jeremy Fogelson is an excellent surgeon focusing on Scoliosis. He is at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota and the process is the same as what Sherry described.
As I have Osteoporosis, I was on Teriparatide, (generic Forteo), for a year prior to surgery, to build up my bones so that the screws and hardware would hold. This was prescribed by my endocrinologist.
I also want to mention if you call Mayo Clinic Minnesota, a representative will recommend a surgeon based upon what you describe.
Good luck to you in your search and may you get the help that you need. I have complete confidence in Mayo clinic physicians. I have heard miraculous stories from so many patients.
🙏🙏🙏🙏 Nadine
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3 ReactionsThank you I guess I could go to Arizona. I went to California already to see a surgeon at Stanford. Several surgeons I have seen are befuddled by my symptoms which they say are a typical. I'm going to try to get an appointment at Mayo although I tried several years ago and they turned me down and didn't say why. I guess I just have to try again and push to get an appointment telling them I'm in horrible pain.
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1 ReactionSherri,
You recommend calling Dr McClendon office can you tell me how I can do that? phone#?
Dr McClendon's office has had my x rays MRIs & CT scans for over a month how do I contact his office and is there a name of someone there I can speak to. I have had L3 L4 & L4L5 fused but had a kyphoplasty in a vertebrae just above that. It will need to be bridged. I am getting an x ray of that tomorrow (Laying down) as my curve straightens out while laying down and I want to inform them of this !
I would recommend that you call his office and send him any X-rays, cat scans, and mri’s that you have and see if he will accept you as a patient. I found that calling his office and checking in, really helped to move things along and they even said they appreciated the communication.
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1 ReactionWOW!! that's a long fusion!
@rwdixon4 this is the number that I always called… (480) 342-0071
I would call and say that you’ve sent everything and ask them to confirm that they have received all of the imaging and then ask when you can get an appointment to see the doctor.😊
I was always kind and polite and told them how much it meant to me for him to review my information and get an appointment with him. He is extremely busy, but he is so kind and will work you in if it all possible.
@rwdixon4 I would also call them tomorrow after your X-ray and tell them that you just had the x-ray done and that you were sending the imaging to them.
The gals in the office are wonderful and love it when patients are proactive. This is my experience with them.
@annie1 since you have experience with different surgeons, I’m sure that you are aware of the range of training and experience that they have. One thing that I’ve love about Dr. McClendon is that he is really at the forefront of staying up on back issues and ways to treat them. He has a passion for this!
I was originally scheduled for a surgeon at UC Davis and continued to pray about a surgeon to heal my back and the door was opened to see Dr. McClendon so I canceled my surgery at UC Davis and I am so thankful with where I am at right now!!
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2 ReactionsOh Nadine, these questions are very helpful, I will have them prepared. Thank you so much, really appreciate it.
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