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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rwdixon4 | @rwdixon4 | Jul 20 7:14pm

In reply to @sherrym25 "@rwdixon4 this is the number that I always called… (480) 342-0071 I would call and say..." + (show)

Hi Sherri.

Yes that's the #(480) 342-0071 I call also I just have been told they will call after reviewing the case and let you know. I will try again after I get the imaging done and tell them I need to explain something that is very important and see where that get's me. I do need them to understand something that is difficult to understand. Hopping I get to talk to someone there that can convay it to Dr McClendon ! ! !

Thank you for your input it is very much so appreciated ! ! !

Robert

nlback22 | @nlback22 | Jul 20 8:46pm

Hi Cori, You're welcome!

nlback22 | @nlback22 | Jul 20 8:50pm

In reply to @ccchang "Oh Nadine, these questions are very helpful, I will have them prepared. Thank you so much,..." + (show)

You're welcome!

nlback22 | @nlback22 | 4 days ago

In reply to @ccchang "Nadine, Thank you SO much or this information. You are so brave, an 11-hour surgery is..." + (show)

HI Cori, How did you appointment go with Dr. Mitsunaga?

cori | @ccchang | 3 days ago

In reply to @nlback22 "HI Cori, How did you appointment go with Dr. Mitsunaga?" + (show)

Nadine. You are so sweet and thoughtful to follow up, thank you so much. I had my appt and like you recommended, printed the 40 questions (from the link you provided) but had pre-circled the questions I wanted to ask. Those questions were very helpful, thank you again. Dr. Mitsunaga was really good in that he didn't rush me through my questions and even suggested that if I wanted, I could consult with other tertiary centers like the ones you mentioned. He provided 2 options, the first being minimally-invasive and the second being more extensive. He recommended, and we agreed, to try the more minimally invasive one (laminectomy) first, targeting Sept. This wouldn't preclude me from having other surgeries, if necessary. But I'm of course, hoping and praying for the best (i.e., that the laminectomy will help relieve lower back and nerve and numbness issues). I hope your recovery is going well?

lois88 | @lois88 | 2 days ago

Hello,
I am Lois (age 76) and new to this group. I don't actually know if I am in the right forum except the rods (and screws) caught my attention. I live in Seattle and I am being treated at Kaiser Permanente. I am about to have a conversation with my spine surgeon (had a right L3-L4 lateral microdiscectomy for screaming pain down my right leg April 25 which was successful). However it covered the pain I feel in both legs (proximal bilateral lower extremity pain) which is why I believe I need to have an L3-L5 laminectomy and instrumented spinal fusion. I see a list of questions referred to in these conversations and I wonder if it would be helpful to me in my discussion with the doctor in a few days. I appreciate how open and detailed you all are with your experiences. Please let me know if I should be posting this elsewhere.
Grateful thanks, Lois

cori | @ccchang | 2 days ago

Hi Lois. Here is the link to the list of questions that Nadine had provided me earlier:
https://www.spine-health.com/blog/40-questions-ask-your-surgeon-back-surgery

nlback22 | @nlback22 | 2 days ago

In reply to @ccchang "Nadine. You are so sweet and thoughtful to follow up, thank you so much. I had..." + (show)

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.

lois88 | @lois88 | 1 day ago

In reply to @ccchang "Hi Lois. Here is the link to the list of questions that Nadine had provided me..." + (show)

Thank you so much, Cori. I am grateful to have these. I hope your surgery and recovery go as well as possible. And thanks to Nadine for sharing these important questions.

My best, Lois