He was good to his word… I never imagined it would last 14 hours, though. After four more days in the main hospital, Donna went home with a custom back brace to immobilize the discs during the healing process. Per Dr. After her recovery, Donna returned to the activities that she enjoys most, except for running and skiing. Instead, she walks at a fast pace—around four miles an hour — hikes more and does Jazzercise daily, along with weight lifting.
She and her husband, Steve, travel all over the world—Wales, England, Scandinavia, Switzerland, the Caribbean and more. She even took up snorkeling.
Janssen removed from her spine on her Christmas tree as a reminder of her journey. As a reminder of her journey, she hangs her Harrington rod, decorated with a red bow, upon her Christmas tree each year. He really engaged her, and it was her decision to have surgery. In , when Emily was 15, Dr. Janssen performed a spinal fusion to correct her curvature. Since then, she has been pain-free. She is a mother to an active two year-old and a newborn daughter who arrived on December In addition to being a mother, Emily also serves as a United Methodist pastor in Nebraska.
In , Donna returned to see Dr. Janssen after falling on her icy driveway while taking out the trash. She had injured two discs in her neck. Then, after retiring two years ago from a year career as a librarian, Donna saw Dr. In addition if I do have the screws and rods removed what happens to my spine does it return to its original state? Does it stay straight? Will my spinal flexiblity return?
Part of the scoliosis surgery involves removal of the spinal discs and certain bony elements of the spine, so unfortunately even if the rods and screws are removed, there is a permanent change to the spinal structure.
Most surgeons will recommend that, if the rods have to be removed for any reason, that a new set be installed in their place to prevent the spine from collapsing. Your best option would be to consult with the surgeon who performed the operation to determine what your options are.
If you don't like the options they provide, please keep in mind that CLEAR treatment has helped post-surgical patients in the past; for more information, check out the case study at the bottom of our Research page. I wish you all the best of luck in your scoliosis journey! Hi Erykah I am 67 years old and was one of the first to have the Harrington Rod surgery in Australia when I was 15 years old. I had the rods removed 10 years later as I was experiencing severe pain at the point of attachment around the T4 area.
I was told that the rods were superfluous at that time as they had done their job, which was to hold the spine in place while the bone grafts fused. There was no suggestion of more rods.
More importantly, I am relatively pain free as I swim 1 kilometre most days as suggested by my orthopaedic surgeon all those years ago , walk and practise yoga. In addition, I regularly have deep tissue massage and osteopathic treatment.
My Cobb angle was 55 degrees before surgery and 27 after. This has progressed to 45 at last check a few years ago. I am not advocating the removal of the rods, as practices of course would have changed over the years and the additional surgery is best avoided. I do remember that when the rods were in place I had few problems, and attribute this to being diligent with swimming and keeping fit. So important! I wish you all the best. I get an occasional twinge in bad weather but Am I in danger of any sorts?
Hello, Renshaw stated that, "One would expect that if the patient lives long enough, rod breakage will be a virtual certainty. Had two Harrington rods put in. After surgery I spent a month in hospital in Vancouver, BC. I was on a Foster bed with which they would be able flip me over every few hours. Then came the body cast. Went home and lay flat on my back for 5 months. Then back to hospital where they removed my cast and put another one on, supposedly a lighter one.
After that I slowly was able to walk again. After being in bed for 5 months it was hard for my body to adjust being upright. This cast stayed on for another month. I went back to school and had a normal life. I had two children naturally, no epidural. The only thing is that the left side of my back is completely numb. I was told they may have damaged a nerve during surgery.
What started out as a small numb area has now grown to half my back. I never had any pain before the surgery but I was told my curve would get much worse. I want an explanation of what happened and an idea of what my future may be, can i get even worse? I cannot take worse, a person can only tolerate so much pain. WORE than right now is unthinkable! I've had numerous Radiofrequency nerve ablatives for pain, over 25 varied epidurals blocks for pain and NONE work.
I have a consult at Cedars Sinai , a top spine Dr, to get an expectation and insight in to what the heck has happened! I knew i have global fixed saggital imbalance called Flatback as of but since my shoulders have now curved to left, and developed right shoulder protrusion with SEVERE constant pain! I'm 51, never could have kids bc the pain and Flatback had begun , vegetarian , low body weight, no alcohol never smoked , worked out all life till 35 when Flatback deformity and pain began and i was never informed I could get that!!
My left leg goes dead with no notice and i fall. ALL rods need to be removed and 4 ribs , they create new ribs of metal and insert new rod and create new spine from cadaver bone! Even the Dr i am seeing may 17 in LA at Cedars Sinai wont take insurance for my consult bu ti must know.
My curve was not severe, 45 degrees. My single mom was told that I would die before 25 if i didn't have the surgery, it scared her into surgery.
My fusion is from T3-L4-S1. I followed up at Bellevue in NYC till 10 yr anniversary then told i didn't need to any more. The pain began 8 yrs later at 32 but was achy thats all. Meds don't help and now the GOVTs want to stop opiate meds because of those who take and abuse it who dont need it! I learned AMA knew in when i had my surgery , that thousands who had Harrington rod surgeries were needing and getting revisions bc they got Flatback and pain who had surgery in 60ss.
Wheres the accountability!? He fused my spine to L4-S1 ,took away my Lordotic curve. HOW can this BE?!! PS I have not been able to lay to sleep in a bed since ! I must sleep in a recliner in a bent V position due to Flatback! I have handled best i can the pain for a decade, but Last 3 years its worse, this is too much.
I went in trusting this Dr. Your story is heart-breaking to me. You are not alone; I have heard others who have shared similar experiences. But scoliosis surgery is forever; once the operation has been done, it cannot be undone.
Your life and your experience are NOT without meaning. Your story is important for others to hear. As part of raising scoliosis awareness, we encourage people like you to share their personal experiences with scoliosis here, and with us directly at [email protected].
With your permission, we publish them in our Personal Experiences section of our blog. The CLEAR methods have helped many people who have had the surgery; you can read about one such patient here. If there is anything we can do to help, please reach out to us at or [email protected].
Hi D Davis. I'm 48 and have a very similar story see below. I'm on permanent disability, have mobility issues and I'm in pain daily. My physician prescribed pain medication ONCE; a 30 day supply, then I was told that I could keep taking the muscle relaxer but not the pain meds. When I had a double mastectomy due to breast cancer, I cried because finally I was pain free since the surgeon gave me pain medication following the surgery. I, too, have a cervical spine curve. I have a cervical spine MRI scheduled for June 4 to see if the spinal cord flattening, etc.
I wonder how many other adult Harrington rods patients are suffering like this. I had scoliosis surgery in when I was I went to a spine doctor who took X-rays. He told me my Harrington Rod has pulled away from my spine above the bolts that hold it in place.
He said I need to have the rod cut off at the top down to the bolts. Has anyone heard of this problem? He said during the aging process my spine is changing. He said the rod can break through my back above where it is bolted in. Any suggestions or referrals to a good surgeon?
Hello, Yes, I have had patients who have experienced similar failures of their instrumentation. The challenge tends to be that, due to the variations in the types of surgical procedures, the preferences of the surgeon, and the instrumentation used by the hospital, most orthopedic surgeons will decline to perform revision procedures unless they either performed the original surgery, or worked at the hospital or with the surgeon who did.
I would highly recommend reaching out to Columbia Presbyterian, and letting them know you need to learn more about your options pertaining to a scoliosis surgery performed at their center in , which is in need of revision surgery due to instrumentation failure.
Please someone help me. I have and S shape spine and my curves are 60 and I dont know If I should make the surgery o no! This decisition is killing me! First, it's important to recognize that scoliosis surgery is not a medical emergency. You should not feel rushed into or pressured to undergo the surgery right away. Second, it's worth pointing out that it has never been proven that having surgery for scoliosis results in a better long-term quality of life for the patient.
Some people do very well after the surgery, but some people do not. You cannot be forced to have scoliosis surgery; it is always your or your parents' choice. Once you have the surgery, it is permanent and cannot be undone.
The instrumentation can be removed, but the disruption to the spinal column cannot be reversed. Please get a second opinion whether there are alternatives for you. Physical Therapy for scoliosis and scoliosis safe yoga by a scoliosis yoga coach.
If 2nd opinion doc recommends surgery I wish you great success and wonderful health. I am grateful for the surgery because I had an extremely advanced curvature and suffered greatly. Even with the side effects 10 years later I am grateful because it saved my life.
But if it is determined that it is not necessary there are other alternatives. It got progressively worse as I grew, and at age 12 I was put in a Milwaukee brace for 2 yrs before it was determined that surgery was necessary. I had triple curvature, the middle curve being 70 degrees. They searched the globe for a qualified surgeon and found him at Boise, Idaho.
I even had physical therapy 1st, which was also of no help I had 2 operations a week apart in July of one on my left rib cage because I was also missing a rib, and the doc used half a rib from my left side to even me out I was also missing vertebrae s.
So my back was a mess! I am 60 years old and way overweight and still have no problems. My primary surgeon, Dr Howard Johnson in Boise, also had a brother who was a dr who assisted him Dr Howard has since passed away, but I am ever grateful to him because he created a miracle in my life! I wore a cast for a year, and was never bedridden except for my wks in the hospital I was 14 then, and thank goodness I wasn't required to lay around because I would've gone nuts!
I have lived in Montana all my life, and don't know any orthopedic docs in Montana qualified to look at me-even for yearly xrays, etc My stepmom had scoliosis surg with half rods on her lower spine, and she has had nothing but trouble Her doc is a neurosurgeon and I'm very unhappy with him I also stay clear of chiropractors and massage therapists Up until a few years ago, I could get on and off the floor with no trouble, as well as climb stairs, etc Getting rid of wt will help, I know I can still move, bend over, etc, and only noticed minimal mobility limitations after surgery.
I am Louis , then bed rest for 7 months, then something like a corset for awhile after I was out of bed. No major problems. Surgery left 2 vertebra at top and bottom unfused, and there is some movement in the middle, where the rods overlap somewhat.
I had Harrington Rod fusion in at age 18 by Dr. My scoliosis was 40 degree between the scapula, probably as a result of Polio at 7 months of age. The polio left my left arm and shoulder significantly atrophied and consequently overdeveloped musculature of the right arm and shoulder pulled the spine to the right.
With the curvature was a significant twisting of the spine resulting in my upper body twisted to about 45 degree from my lower body. I chose to have the surgery because of the increasing discomfort. The surgery outcome was great for me.
I have lived a close to normal life. Became an electrician yes, climbing ladders and poles, etc. I do have some discomfort but it is manageable and mostly from the muscle and joint pain as a result of post polio syndrome. The surgery relieved the constant pain and gave me a shot at a near normal life and it was a God Send.
I credit Dr. Tompkins and the Harrington Rod procedure. Don't be afraid of the surgery but do your homework and make it a last resort. I wanted to add I'm now 63, and have been dealing with the medical issues for over 30 years.
I've tried everything available to this date. Nothing has worked. Dozens of specialists and no one has helped. Millions spent too.
I had a x-ray by the surgeon and he saying all is fine. No it's worse then it's ever been. CNAs daily basis, aid and attendance, because I can't even shower dress or feed myself. Car takers do everything I can no longer do. And I must pay out of pocket for the care. RA, and four type of arthritis,fibro,RLS, nerve damage,neuropathy, numerous medical issues beyond my back and neck. No discs ,rods from chest to pelvic. And lied, said it was titanium,not steel. I'm furious at what those doctors didn't tell me before surgery and the conditions surrounding the Harrington rods and devices used.
I see there's a lawsuit for the rods.? I just so happen to find out today exactly what was used during the surgery. I need more information and answers after reading this site tonight. Just happened to come across it by accident. Hopefully find some answers.
Hello, Sue. I am so saddened to hear of all of your complications. Unfortunately, stories like these are more common than you think. I would suggest seeking a support group; if not in person, there are options online. You are not in this alone and your struggles may ring true for many others where you could help and support each other. I would also suggest finding another doctor who may be more receptive to your complications and willing to move forward with some solutions to help ease your everyday struggles.
As far as the services we offer, a few of our CLEAR doctors have treated patients who have had the surgery done, but it would mostly be working with your neck and hips areas that were not fused by the surgery. In the meantime, know that there is hope. Please let me know if there is anything we can do for you. Hi, I'm in the UK. I had surgery for kyphoscoliosis in My surgery was pretty much as described in the article except i had two surgeries within two weeks of eachother.
The first surgery saw the surgeon go in through the front to remove 3 ribs. My lung was deflated at 5 discs were removed. Two weeks kater the Harrington rods were inserted either side of my spine and the ribs were used to pack where the discs were removed. The rods were inserted and i wore a plaster cast for 12 months and a removable body brace for another 12 months.
My rods run from the top of my spine to around the bottom of my rib cage. At 26 I gave birth to my only child. I developed pre-eclampsia which they believed was due to the rods being there. Apparently the bones soften allowing room for the heart and lungs as baby grows but my rods prevented this so carrying the baby put pressure on my main organs.
I also struggled to breath. My job was a carer at a local hospital caring for stroke patients. I started getting lots of lower back pain and pain radiating down the back of both legs and a sensation of burning and stretching in my hegs and feet. I left my job and went to work at a pharmacy. The pharmacist my boss suggested I change my GP. So I did and I was referred to the musculoskeletal team at my local hospital. I had an MRI and was diagnosed with tethered spinal cord syndrome and split cord malformation.
I had surgery to detether my cord but surgery was abandoned due to too much scar tissue. Since then i have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my facet Joins between S1 and L4. My lower spine has curved too and my consultant believes this is due to the rods.
My condition is degenerative and I constantly live with severe pain which controls my life. Recently I've been wondering if my rods have corroded since i have been getting some strange symptoms which are related to metal poisoning.
Next step is blood tests and urine test. I don't regret having the surgery since it corrected my upper spine but I guess I would only recommend it if your curve is as severe as mine was. The consultants at the time told my parently that if I didn't have the surgery then my spinal issues could be life threatening, so it had to be done. I had a full spinal fusion in I had a 65 percent curve in my spine. I have 2 rods and 20 screws. Hi and thank you for your question. Unfortunately, your case needs to be reviewed in person and not a simple email conversation will help.
I would encourage you to immediately consult with a surgeon or a CLEAR certified doctor regarding your current condition. The pain could be something simple, or as complex and dangerous a a screw coming undone or a rod breaking. Please seek immediate consultation. I had the harrington rods for a fusion at L4 and L5 it never took the fusion and. The pain was hell. We have better things to use today..
I had mine put in a had them removed in 92 and had screws with rods put in. Much better for a spine fusion. My mom got the surgery in the early s, she was Now her quality of life is poor. Here's what she told me after a recent doctor's visit: My spine has elevated my diaphragms unevenly - one is higher than the other which hurts my lungs. I am being twisted from the inside out which impacts the heart too. Very compact fit. I was told that my rod was taken out in but it wasn't.
Don't get one. You may be in constant pain when you're older than I believe she was one of the first people to get the procedure done by Dr. Harrington in Houston, TX. Hello, I had the Harrington my paternal sur name is Harrington rod surgery in '74 by Dr. My curvature was very severe. Part of my hip bone was cut to fuse the rod to the upper and lower areas of my remaining spine.
Since that time I gave birth to 4 children naturally. Have lived a relatively pain free life until about 5 years ago or so with a lot of pain from my nerves at my right shoulder down to my finger tips.
The pain is numbing and I sometimes loose my grip on holding objects but that is not often. The most pain I experience though is from my neck. It is chronic and rarely lets up. I am particular about the type of pillow I am comfortable with too; how it is angled and its' height are a factor. I had an X-ray a few years ago showing my rod is still firmly in place. I'm sorry to read about other scoliosis patients who's rods have broken. Genetically I have siblings and cousins who also have scoliosis.
My case, from our family generation, has been the worst along with a cousin who went through so much physical therapy, wore a back brace, and finally had the surgery. My constant worry is for my grandchildren's health and what can be done with screening if they happen to also carry this disability. They are still very young but it does weigh heavy on my mind I would like to know if there is any type of pain relief for the nerves from my right shoulder down to my fingertips.
I would also like to know if anyone has ever had this hidden disability brought forth through the US court system to recieve social security disability benefits. Considering the strong genetic link in your family, I would highly suggest having your grandchildren monitored closely. As with any condition, the sooner treatment is given, the better outcome can be expected. As far as the issues you are having with your shoulder and arm, those could be linked to the lower part of your neck, which typically is not fused with the Harrington Rod surgery.
I would suggest contacting a physician to have your neck looked at to determine if this may be the cause of your symptoms. Yes, I believe many scoliosis patients who had the Harrington Rod surgery have gone through measurements to get disability benefits.
However, I am an unsure as to how to go about doing that, as we do not perform surgeries nor do we advise patients after surgery on what measures to take in order to do that.
You may be able to contact an orthopedic who could follow up with you and possibly help guide you in that direction.
If you would like to have one of our CLEAR doctors monitor your grandchildren or evaluate you and your current symptoms, please look on our website to find a doctor closest to you. Hello, I just happened to stumble across this site, and I also have Harrington rods infused into my spine.
My surgery took place in at the age of I am now 37 and have had no issues that concern me. I occasionally get these knots in my back behind my Rhomboid area and have to roll around on golf balls to release the tension that can also cause headaches. I usually get these subtle pinching pains when I work out or sit straight for too long. Is there anything I can do now to prevent issues when I get older?
Thank you Orange County, California. Hello, Katherin, These problems could happen immediately following surgery or they could be something that develops over time. It would be hard to say whether or not they are related to your surgery. I would suggest a consult with an orthopedic to determine if they are a side effect of the surgery or if there was something that they would recommend doing. Mostly we can help restore function in the neck and hip area where the surgical rods are not in place. Best of luck.
So glad to find this site. I'd been complaining since I was 8yrs. My curve was a perfect "S". We were told that it was so severe that I would be a great candidate to go to Texas and have a " newer" procedure in a teaching situation arena and the chances of paralysis was extremely high but " at least I wouldn't feel pain anymore. Being from a small town in Ohio and eldest of 6 children from a poverty situation, it was decided by Mom and myself to not try to get there.
It was thought that it would stop curvature. I wore a lge shoe lift on outside of oxfords and one shoulder was sloping way lower than other. When final cast was removed , it was thought that though there wasn-t correction, I would be ok. I had difficulty walking distances as time progressed.
My legs would " grind to a halt or give out and I 'd have to stop frequently before they'd " work" again. In college I had more and more pain and difficulty walking. I got married and worked and bore two children. The first natural- 2day breeched birth- no meds. I began having difficulty breathing, dropping things, never connecting it to spine.
At 25 yrs old I fell down a flight of stairs and it was discovered during tests for damage that I was pregnant. I was pressured that my spine was in such terrible condition that I should abort the child and immediately see surgeons in Cleveland Clinic to have immediate surgery.
My 3rd child was delivered by C- section early to prevent hemorrhaging and death. In Jan. Bone from my rt hip and a rib, cadaver bone , etc were used. I wore a full plaster body cast for nearly 1 yr. My youngest was 1yr and 2mos old. Flat on back except for bathroom. The curves had continued to worsen.
Pain was horrendous and I have a very high pain tolerance. Tens unit , meds did nothing - even an attempt to implant tens unit didn't work. I don't fully test positive for MS or Lupus. Had my thyroid totally removed it was so disease. AND stenosis in lower spine, lower spine "gone", one rod is lying half-way in spinal column effecting bladder and bowels, and a screw if fully floating in spinal column.
I use a wheelchair now I am still have a lot to live for. All say that rod and screw MUST come out. I have sickle cell trait, scoliosis and sleep apnaea , and severe year round allergies, thyroid disease run strongly in our family. My midsection ias now severely compressed and pushed to one side, my lungs never fully developed due to scoliosis. My Drs say they don' t know how I do anything. I now have home healthcare, I can't reach up to do my own hair now, etc.
Just getting more difficult to function. Thank you for reaching out. I am sorry to hear of the pain you have suffered for so many years. The struggles you have had are shared with so many patients we encounter and have made our mission to help. Due to the fact you already have the rods in your spine, we are only able to work on areas of your spine that have not been fused. Best of luck to you. I had scoliosis surgery in in ottawa.
I am not sure of the details of the surgery other than I had a rod put in, bone from my hip was added, back was fused, and my nerves were shut off so that I wouldn't feel pain around the surgery. Everything was fine until I had to get physiotherapy and massage therapy due to issues.
I learned pain management techniques. Everything turned out ok. Starting in I have starting to have a hard time walking, standing, sitting, lying down and basically moving. Pain management techniques are no longer working. I don't want medication. That doesn't usually work for me.
It isn't lack of exercise or anything. I am and always have been extremely active despite these issues. The issue is the 'turning off the nerves' that feel pain around my surgery.
As a result, I get lower back pain and that translates to eventualy hip pain to upper leg pain. But I don't know where the pain is originating. Where does it originate? Click here to learn more. Disclaimer: The pictures displayed in Precision Spine Care are images of physicians, patients and employees who have consented to have their pictures in this website.
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