Harrington rod surgery 40 years ago

Anyone here have had Scoliosis herington fusion done? Mine was done 1981 . Many years later many issues. Just want to get advice on new stuff

So I finally received results of my MRI , shows Spinal Stenosis at multiple levels, but particularly severe at C4-5 & C5-6, with narrowing of the exiting roots on both sides and some pressure on the spinal cord at C5-6. I just typed what my Dr. sent me, she is suggesting we try injections first before surgery ( she is referring me to a pain specialist). So I will see what happens next, trying to stay positive although injections have never worked before so we shall see. Anyone have suggestions? Thank you again for listening I really appreciate all the love and support I have received here.

Hello Martie, I had Scoliosis surgery (T2 to L2) along with a Harrington implant in 1977.

Everything has been fine with that section of my back, but over the years, I started experiencing pain below my spinal fusion. The initial pain was due to a Bulging Disc in the early 90's that was managed with physical therapy for years. In 2022, I started experiencing a different type of pain, and consulted with the Orthopedic Chair at the local university medical school. L2 - S1 had a multitude of problems, including DDD, spinal stenosis, lateral listhesis spondylolosthesis, flat back, Bertolotti's, Tarlov cysts (asymptomatic), et cetera.

I went through the conservative management spectrum--physical therapy, and nerve block injections to potentially identify nerves for ablation. Unfortunately, with the complexity of my back, the specialist was not able to find the source of my pain.

I sought a second opinion from a top tier hospital and went through the same routine.

Next --Surgery was recommended. Unfortunately, the Ortho Chair no longer did cases like mine. He recommended a younger doc that had limited years of experience.

After I expressed a concern, I was referred to another surgeon with more experience. The surgeon planned to remove all my existing hardware and replace it with new hardware, while correcting the issues in my lower back. As my prior rod and fusion were fine, I was reluctant to have my hardware removed.

This led Dr. Jeremy Fogelson at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Dr. Fogelson planned to leave my existing hardware in my back, correcting my problems and fusing my back from my T10 to pelvis. Additionally, due to the arthritis in my Sacroilliac (SI)Joints, it was recommended for me to have my SI joints fused.

I had my SI joint fusions with Dr. William Cross on day one ( 2 hours max) and the spinal surgery with Dr Foegelson on Day 2. ( 11 hours)

Fast forward--that was exactly 8 months ago. My chronic pain is gone. I do occasionally get sore when I sit for too long. I am so happy I had the surgery. I still need to ice periodically. I am walking 2 miles a day, and doing strengthening exercises.
I had some right leg numbness and tingling in my calf and foot before my surgery and that still remains. I have been advised, by several doctors, that nerve recovery can take 1 1/2 to 2 years--and it may never go away. ( I should not have waited so long to have the surgery--but I had/have Osteoporosis and was on teriparatide to strengthen my bones before and after surgery.)

I highly recommend Dr. Fogelson as he focuses on Scoliosis and complex cases.

Best wishes!
Nadine

How is your back recently?
My scoliosis rod placed in 1977.
Started having lower spine issues when I turned 50 years old.

@leilab1
My surgery to add on to my harrington rod and extend it down to my sacrum and fuse my SI joints went well. It has been a little over 2 years since surgery. I am glad I had it done as I am able to walk, hike and sleep. Though my movement is different I am in less pain. The one thing I have experienced that I didn't expect is that my balance is much worse. I feel it was pretty good prior to surgery and I worked on it. Now, I make a wrong step and stumble. I have fallen a couple of times because of it. Dr Fogelson also did my surgery 2 years ago.
Peggy87

@leilab1
My surgery to add on to my harrington rod and extend it down to my sacrum and fuse my SI joints went well. It has been a little over 2 years since surgery. I am glad I had it done as I am able to walk, hike and sleep. Though my movement is different I am in less pain. The one thing I have experienced that I didn't expect is that my balance is much worse. I feel it was pretty good prior to surgery and I worked on it. Now, I make a wrong step and stumble. I have fallen a couple of times because of it. Dr Fogelson also did my surgery 2 years ago.
Peggy87

I had harrington rod in 1973 when I was 16. 12 inch long 7 fused. Below is basically smashed now T7 - S1. I have had 15 months of everything PT, injections, plus chiropractor, acupunture, lots of drugs only take at night to sleep. I have appt at Mayo in May to get their opinion. Locally in Pittsburgh, surgeons say add hardware to make SPACER to open it up. I can hardly walk. The surgery they say is very painful, cut in from front, flip me over then open from back to add the hardware - spacers. 3 month recovery. My pain is so bad now, I am willing to go through pain to get better but not sure what Mayo will say.

@peggy87 Hi, are you by chance taking Gabapentin? I just weaned off of it after a year and have stopped falling. I never felt dizzy or unstable while using it but I fell around 6 or 7 times while taking it.
Wishing you the best, Sherry