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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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cori | @ccchang | 2 days ago
In reply to @nlback22 "Hi Cori, That's great news! Glad you may only need the laminectomy.😊 Sending prayers that the..." + (show)
Profile picture for nlback22 @nlback22

Hi Cori,
That's great news! Glad you may only need the laminectomy.😊
Sending prayers that the minimally invasive surgery is all you need. 🙏🙏🙏
I am recovering well and it is so good to be home.
Best Wishes!
Nadine
Ps. You're welcome! I used the 40 questions, (to draw from), during my surgery consults, too. I am happy the list helped.

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Hi Nadine. Dr Mitsunaga called me last night and said that after further review and discussion with doctors at UCSF, he now recommends a fusion and laminectomy. I was really sad last night after the call but am praying on it and trying to be positive and to trust.

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flcisme | @flcisme | 2 days ago
In reply to @lisa7777 "thanks for your information No I haven't seen a surgeon I really don't want to be..." + (show)
Profile picture for lisa7777 @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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I feel like they have gone too far With withholding pain, pills that work Toradol and Tylenol don’t do a darn thing. I would rather be dependent on an opioid and spend the rest of my day sitting in a chair on a heating pad in pain. No one listens.

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nlback22 | @nlback22 | 1 day ago
In reply to @ccchang "Hi Nadine. Dr Mitsunaga called me last night and said that after further review and discussion..." + (show)
Profile picture for cori @ccchang

Hi Nadine. Dr Mitsunaga called me last night and said that after further review and discussion with doctors at UCSF, he now recommends a fusion and laminectomy. I was really sad last night after the call but am praying on it and trying to be positive and to trust.

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Oh, Cori,
I can understand how you may feel.
At least Dr,. M conferred with them and he didn't let his ego get in the way. He may perfectly able to handle your care.
But I think you may want to get a second opinion. ( You can mention that since the surgery is more involved, "I" would like to get a second opinion. )
Make certain your insurance will cover you.
I will send you a private message.

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nlback22 | @nlback22 | 1 day ago
In reply to @ccchang "Hi Nadine. Dr Mitsunaga called me last night and said that after further review and discussion..." + (show)
Profile picture for cori @ccchang

Hi Nadine. Dr Mitsunaga called me last night and said that after further review and discussion with doctors at UCSF, he now recommends a fusion and laminectomy. I was really sad last night after the call but am praying on it and trying to be positive and to trust.

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Cori, the big question is how many surgeries, like the one Dr.M. is proposing for you, has he done?
( For comparison, my surgeon at Mayo Minn, Dr. Jeremy Fogelson, does 1 a week.)
What is his success rate?

Does he plan to leave your existing Harrington Rod in your back? (One doctor wanted to take it out and put in a whole new apparatus. As I didn't have any problems with my rod or that area it seemed needless. My doctor at Mayo left it on and attached one of the new rods to it.

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cori | @ccchang | 15 hours ago
In reply to @nlback22 "Seec below" + (show)
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Seec below

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Hi Nadine. Just checking is this the private chat?

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nlback22 | @nlback22 | 43 minutes ago

Hi Cori, Here is my xray before surgery along with the first page of my operation report which provides an abbreviated summary of key aspects of my surgery.
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nlback22 | @nlback22 | 40 minutes ago
In reply to @ccchang "Hi Nadine. Just checking is this the private chat?" + (show)
Profile picture for cori @ccchang

Hi Nadine. Just checking is this the private chat?

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Abbreviated post-op summary 'first page
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