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Harrington rod surgery 40 years ago
I am 53 years old, had Harrington rod for severe scoliosis about 40 years ago (from T3-T12). Had cervical spine fusion of C7-T1 a few years ago. Now facing extension of rod from T12-S1 along with fusion of SI joints at the same time. In addition, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), which creates some issues due to having to hold meds for surgery.
Has anyone else had this done? I am trying to understand the life altering movement challenges afterward (and anything else I should know beforehand) and would love some feedback. Thank you.
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@sherrym25
I am not on Gabapentin. Glad to hear you were able to go off of it! Hope you are doing better now. I feel like it is just that my movement is different causing me to be off balance.
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1 Reaction@nlback22
Nadine,
Same here. Have not met someone else with the same harrington rod and scoliosis. I had a similar situation...fell the following June after my surgery (9 months). Had x-rays done and sent in as I was out of town. Nothing harmed from fall thank goodness.
The balance thing...yes, I am not sure if it's the SI joints or the extensive fusion of the spine affecting my balance. Know I need to keep working on it to keep it as good as possible!
Hope all turned out well for you!
Peggy
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1 Reaction@peggy87
Hi Peggy,
You might be right about the extensive fusion being connected to the falls. Like my husband said, I fell like a tree!
I am still waiting for my imaging to arrive at Mayo. I'll let everyone know how things go. Ironically my fall was at 9 months, too!
One way or another we will get this balance thing under control. Since my fall, I am walking more mindfully and focusing on the ground as I take my steps.
Best Wishes!
Nadine
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3 ReactionsForty years ago I had a fusion which failed. I crushed L1 in a horse riding accident. Four years later I had Harrington rods put in and I was told that they must be removed within two years. No one would do this for me. Eleven years ago, I was having problems walking. After extensive testing they decided to operate and my Harrington rods were removed, but more rods were put in from T10 to L5.
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1 Reaction@sophie46 Hi. How are you doing now? When they removed the Harrington rods, what did they replace them with (stainless steel)? Also, assume you don't have osteoporosis or osteopenia? Lastly, who was your surgeon / hospital. Thank you!
@ccchang I am doing well. I assume the new rods are steel. No, I don't have osteoporosis. My surgeon was a woman doctor Dr. Nadeau and I was in Vancouver General Hospital, Canada.
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1 Reaction@sophie46 You're so fortunate! How many hours was the surgery? How many nights in the hospital? How many months was the recovery? Assume you had to wear a back brace for a while?
I had T3-L5 fusion with instrumentation in 2011 when I was 58. The surgery took 10 1/2 hrs with a 4 1/2 hour follow-up surgery a month later. It has been very challenging not bring able to bend or twist at the waist. My scoliosis kept progressing so I felt surgery was the only answer. I am only truly comfortable when reclined in my recliner. As I have aged I now walk with a forward leaning posture which i was hoping to avoid. I was not able to return to work as a bookkeeper.
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1 Reaction@ccchang After I broke my back I was stabilized in the local hospital and then flown by air ambulance to Vancouver. My surgery was performed overnight and took 8 hours. I was there for 3/4 weeks and I returned home with a full plaster caste from my neck to my thighs. I then went into the local hospital, as I couldn't keep anything down. I was there for a further 2 weeks. I had the caste on for 4 months and I then wore a back brace for 6 months. I have had two further surgeries since this one.
@sophie46 The first two back surgeries I had were done by Dr. Van Peteghen.