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Harrington rod surgery 40 years ago

Posted by peggy87 @peggy87, Aug 10, 2023

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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peggy87 | @peggy87 | 6 days ago
In reply to @sherrym25 "@peggy87 Hi, are you by chance taking Gabapentin? I just weaned off of it after a..." + (show)
Profile picture for sherrym25 @sherrym25

@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

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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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peggy87 | @peggy87 | 6 days ago
In reply to @nlback22 "@peggy87 Hi Peggy, You are the first person I met that has the same history (Scoliosis..." + (show)
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@peggy87
Hi Peggy,
You are the first person I met that has the same history (Scoliosis and Harrington Rod) and corrective surgery with Dr.Fogelson. I am glad you are doing well, but was surprised to hear about the falls.

I had my surgery May 14, 2025. All was going well, but I had a little setback when I had a surprise fall. Similar to you my balance has always been strong, but now I know I need to work on my lateral balance. I wonder if our SI joint fusions play a role in our susceptibility to falls?

I plan to work on my lateral balance with P.T. I was terrified that I may have caused damage to my healing spine. I am having CT's later today and pray that all is well.🙏

Good luck to you Peggy!🙏🙂

Best wishes!
Nadine

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@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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nlback22 | @nlback22 | 5 days ago
In reply to @peggy87 "@nlback22 Nadine, Same here. Have not met someone else with the same harrington rod and scoliosis...." + (show)
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@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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@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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Sophie46 | @sophie46 | 5 days ago

Forty 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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