1. < Spine Health

Harrington rods and MRI

Posted by gssalds @gssalds, Apr 7 5:29pm

In 1984 I had 2-10” Harrington rods placed in mid to lower back. At that time my surgeon told me I could never have an mri.
I am now having severe pain radiating from my lumbar spine down my hip and right leg. I have had X-rays but they are very cloudy looking due to the metal rods.
I need help and was wondering if I can have an mri?
I am in the process of looking for a neurosurgeon. I have a lot of compression at L5-S1. Due to the rods. They have been in place 40 years. I am 68 now. Thank you for your time, God bless, Tressa

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dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Apr 8 6:52am

@gssalds
You can call your local imaging place and ask if they do MRI on patients with implanted metal, specifically Harrington rods. Sometimes, they can use a lower powered machine on patients with metal (I have metal in neck and back and have had MRIs at 1.5 power rather than 3.0).

If you cannot get a MRI, my understanding is you can get a CT scan with dye (myelogram) as another option.

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1 reply
nlback22 | @nlback22 | Apr 8 10:15am

I have a Harrington Rod, and as "dailyhope" suggested they use the MRI machine with a lower magnet--1.5.
Whenever you have an MRI, let scheduling know that you have a Harrington Rod and need the 1.5 machine.
At the time of your MRI, confirm it is the 1.5 machine. (One time, they initially had me in the 3.0 (higher magnet) MRI machine by mistake.
Most of the time imaging centers will know this but you will always need to confirm.

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1 reply
gssalds | @gssalds | Apr 8 3:55pm
In reply to @dlydailyhope "@gssalds You can call your local imaging place and ask if they do MRI on patients..." + (show)
@dlydailyhope

@gssalds
You can call your local imaging place and ask if they do MRI on patients with implanted metal, specifically Harrington rods. Sometimes, they can use a lower powered machine on patients with metal (I have metal in neck and back and have had MRIs at 1.5 power rather than 3.0).

If you cannot get a MRI, my understanding is you can get a CT scan with dye (myelogram) as another option.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your help. When I just had x-rays on my back, the imaging department did not even know if they could do an MRI with Harrington rods. We are in a rural area, however I will be going to St.Louis, MO for a consultation. God bless you!
Tressa

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1 reply
gssalds | @gssalds | Apr 8 3:57pm
In reply to @nlback22 "I have a Harrington Rod, and as "dailyhope" suggested they use the MRI machine with a..." + (show)
@nlback22

I have a Harrington Rod, and as "dailyhope" suggested they use the MRI machine with a lower magnet--1.5.
Whenever you have an MRI, let scheduling know that you have a Harrington Rod and need the 1.5 machine.
At the time of your MRI, confirm it is the 1.5 machine. (One time, they initially had me in the 3.0 (higher magnet) MRI machine by mistake.
Most of the time imaging centers will know this but you will always need to confirm.

Jump to this post

Thanks so much! Many blessings and healing for you!
Tressa

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nlback22 | @nlback22 | Apr 9 12:01am

Your welcome, Tressa!
Thank you, for the good wishes. And, Good luck!

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jolelaine62 | @jolelaine62 | Apr 9 8:41am

YES! get Your referral and Get to that Neurosurgeon! Please offer us an update?

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Apr 9 3:10pm
In reply to @gssalds "Thank you so much for your help. When I just had x-rays on my back, the..." + (show)
@gssalds

Thank you so much for your help. When I just had x-rays on my back, the imaging department did not even know if they could do an MRI with Harrington rods. We are in a rural area, however I will be going to St.Louis, MO for a consultation. God bless you!
Tressa

Jump to this post

@gssalds I'm guessing you may be going to Washington University for consultation. That is a good place. My Mayo spine surgeon did a spine deformity fellowship there.

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1 reply
gssalds | @gssalds | Apr 9 9:21pm
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@gssalds I'm guessing you may be going to Washington University for consultation. That is a good..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@gssalds I'm guessing you may be going to Washington University for consultation. That is a good place. My Mayo spine surgeon did a spine deformity fellowship there.

Jump to this post

Thanks! Who is your surgeon?

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1 reply
Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Apr 9 10:20pm
In reply to @gssalds "Thanks! Who is your surgeon?" + (show)
@gssalds

Thanks! Who is your surgeon?

Jump to this post

@gssalds Thanks for asking. My surgeon at Mayo is Jeremy Fogelson. Here is his profile and you'll find Washington University listed.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/fogelson-jeremy-l-m-d/bio-20055624

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