harrington rod information

[blandon]

] I had surgey in 1988, I have been fighting with pain for approx. 10 years with no relief. I have tried pain med. exercise, rest , more exercise. I am wondering about the harrington rod and if there has been any court cases against the maker. Flat back snydrome is now starting. This is caused by the harrington rod. anybod with any info please reply

[rainie]

Blandon, Hi. I had my operation in 1966 and my pain only started in 1997 so I had a pretty good run didnt I. Strange you should ask that question about legal action against the maker, as I have gotten to the stage where I was thinking of exactly the same thing. I know Harrington himself must have passed away by now, but I will be extremely interested in any information you get as well. I had a very bad curve of 85 degrees and if I had not have had the operation I would have died so under those circumstances I dont know whether any legal action would be viable or not. I know how you feel though.
I feel like screaming at times with the pain 24/7. I unfortunately havent had revision surgery as I didnt even know you could have revision surgery, just something my doctor forgot to tell me all those years ago. In 1997 he did say they could take the top couple of inches out but that wouldnt have done any good at all as he couldnt guarantee me that would stop the pain anyway.

I was fused from T4 to L3 and have two rods in my back Harrington of course. Anyway lets see what infor we get on this eh! There are so many many people exactly like us feeling exactly the same pain, it really is terrible.

Regards
Rainie.

[sweetness514]

I'm curious to know when they stopped using harrington rods. I was supposed to have surgery in '89, but delayed it until I had some type of pain in '97, greatest decision I ever made.

Rainie if you have pain in a specific area(like the top of the rods), a test with a cortisone shot could see if that is a problem, and you could have that part taken out, there are always options for pain. You just need to know what the source of the problems are.

[LindaRacine]

Sweetness...

Believe it or not, many countries still use only Harrington rods. While there are still some doctors in the U.S. who use Harrington rods routinely, C-D rods were being used in the U.S. starting around 1985. The issue of sagittal plane problems was coming to light in the early 80s.

--Linda

[rainie]

Hi sweetness. I have tried absolutely everything including cortisone I should have said that eh. I have had facet joint injections, epidurals injecting anaesthesia, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, excersises, normal injections with anaesthetic, everything that is imaginable I have tried and nothing helps. I am also on very very strong meds and supplosed to take more that I do but I take only 4 - 10 mg a day as I think the body can get used to medication and then it needs more and more.

Most of my pain to date has been in the lumbar area and it has been only over the last few months that I get the really arghh pain from my spine near my shoulder blade area, probably around T7-T9. There are no doctors that I know of that do revision surgery here in Aussie, but the doctor who did my op before he retired told me that the rods had sort of been in there too long now with the bone and calcification and stuff which meant they couldnt operate anyway, couldnt really understand what he meant but took his word for it.

I know I am not the only one as I said before it is unbelievable how many people are in the same predicament. So glad you waited until 1997 for your op.

Kings regards
rainie.

[sweetness514]

Hi again Rainie,

I'm not an expert, but the shoulder blade pain could be bursitis, or the hook that could be taken out, but maybe what your ortho said was true and it would be difficult to take it out. Second opinions are always good, I know it's hard to find one and a good ortho.

I do have problems with my instrumentation, one rod is broken(that's what we know of now and I have to get surgery for it next week), maybe other problems too and from what I have read a lot of people here have DDD, broken hardware, etc and they have the new instrumentation put in, so I guess Harrington rods are not only to blame :rolleyes: I was told by my new ortho that I must have had Titanium put in, and a lady that had the same surgery like me around the time I did with the same ortho told me she has Titanium, but will know next week once they cut me open, hehe. :o I do not regret waiting for my surgery, I always say to wait to have some type of pain that can't be managed, since the fusion can bring other types of problems later on for many. No easy solution, it's a pain I know :(

Good luck to you.

[rainie]

Hi sweetness 514,

Well good luck with your operation next week `I will be praying for you. I am so sorry you have a broken rod already, gosh they have only been in for a few years as well havent they. I hope I got it right you had your first operation in 1997?

I think the pain up the top in the middle of my shoulder blades is the hook, but honestly I know I am not the only one and my heart really does go out to all the others in the same predicament, it really makes me so sad.

As I said all the very, very best and I will really be thinking of you,

Kind regards
Lorraine. (rainie)

[blandon]

Rainie,


I looked into this last year and found a report that the harrington rod that I have was recalled or stopped being used in 1991. Do to the fact that it caused flatback snydrome. But now I can't find that report. I have been diag. with flatback snydrome :mad: not that I wasn't having enough fun as it was. But at least I now know that it was not just in my head as several doctors have stated. :eek: so now I am not crazy, just painfully crooked.
I have tried all types of pain relief. If another dr. says more exercise I think I might choke him. I will soon start looking better than mr. america :eek:
let me know if you find anything out.
I did find a flatback report @ espine.com

thanks

[rainie]

Hi Brandon. I think a few of us had the type of Harrington rod that causes flat back as that seems like one of the diagnoses for so many. I cant believe that your doctors actually thought it was in your head, your poor thing, just to go through the indignities of going to a physc when you knew you were not imagining things.

There is revision surgery you know for flat back. there has been quite a few people had that done and it has been very successful.
I have looked for litigation against the makers of Harrington rods but there has been none, and that has probably been because they thought they were doing the right thing for us at the time and they really were, werent they. Otherwise I know I would have died due to the heart and lungs not having enough room etc.

I know how you feel as far as the pain goes, it does help though doesnt it to know that you are not alone.

Kind regards
Rainie.

[blandon]

hi, I just found a site
feistyscolioflatbackers it is group @ yahoo.com
it has alot of infomation. Worth checking out.
I also found that article I was talking about. It says that patients from 1960 to 1990 are developing flatback. The Dr. had to know by 89 there was a problem. Why haven't I heard anything about this from any doctors until know? This is what I need to find out.

[rainie]

Thanks Brandon, could you give the the internet address of the site please that I can look up that article as well about patients developing flatback.

Thanks
Rainie.

[LindaRacine]

Hi Rainie...

I have links to internet sites about flatback:

http://www.scoliosislinks.com/FlatbackontheInternet.htm

As well as links to published papers about flatback:

http://www.scoliosislinks.com/Flatback.htm

Regards,
Linda

[rainie]

Thankyou so much LindaRacine, I just want to thank yourself and others on this site who are obviously so very, very caring. You have all been so helpful to me and I just wanted you all to know how very much I really appreciate it.

Hugs to all of you
Rainie.

[LindaRacine]

Glad we've been able to be helpful. :-)

[sweetness514]

Hi sweetness 514,

Well good luck with your operation next week `I will be praying for you. I am so sorry you have a broken rod already, gosh they have only been in for a few years as well havent they. I hope I got it right you had your first operation in 1997?

I think the pain up the top in the middle of my shoulder blades is the hook, but honestly I know I am not the only one and my heart really does go out to all the others in the same predicament, it really makes me so sad.

As I said all the very, very best and I will really be thinking of you,

Kind regards
Lorraine. (rainie)

That is really sweet, thank you :)

I'm discouraged that the rod broke after only 6 years, especially since my recovery was long and I was getting used to this hardware, and my new pain free back :( It's my third surgery in 8 years, as I had the hook you're talking about taken out the year after my op, but that was really easy, only an hour and I didn't have to give my blood like I did again now, I'm so drained :rolleyes: I was pain free for those 6 years after they took out the hook, but now it's back and at about the same place as you. The ortho will also check that out and he thinks it MIGHT be a loose screw, I'm telling you it feels like all the hardware is falling apart in the last few months, and they will also check if I don't have pseudarthrosis. Anyways, at least I will be checked out for all of that.

I agree with you about having problems post op, it's hard to tell if it happens a lot, but from the peole I know IRL and what I read on forums, we're a lot. It's hard to tell by statistics on info links or scoliosis books, as all of their predictions and percentages are different :rolleyes:

Well, thanks again for the kind words, hope all goes well for you too.

[blandon]

The address for the flatback article is

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/feistyscolioflatbackers
I found alot of helpfull info on it.

[cammaltby]

Brandon,

For the most part, the membership of the Feisty group moved on last July. Among other things, the moderator insisted that donations to her were in order. None the less, there is plenty of good information in the archives.

Most of that group is now found at:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Flatback_Revised/

Maybe we will see you there, Cam

[fireman413]

Blandon

Have you seen anything on Broken Rods? My lower back has been killing me. I went to the Dr. and found that my rods broke L-3,L-4.

Please e-mail me sometime: wmcbride@triad.rr.com

[Sharon B]

Hello All,
I have had a Harrington Rod in for 18 years and it broke about 14 years ago, I cant begin to describe the effects of a bad car accident Dec 04 (not in public anyway). The best way I can describe things is to say I feel that I'm too heavy for my spine and pelvis (even though believe me I'm not) and for those that know what it means I suffer from Cauda-Equina syndrome. What is flat back syndrome? and what are its symptoms? Have any Harrington Rods had to be replaced? Sorry for all the questions, I've just found this site, any information gratefully received.
Regards
Sharon

[LindaRacine]

Hi Sharon...

Flatback is the loss of lumbar lordosis. You can find a good article on the topic here:

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article308.html

Regards,
Linda

[Sharon B]

Hi, Thanks for your response, does it make any sense to suffer from this in sort of spasms over a period of 3 to 4 days, and if so does it usually get worse? Cauda-equina is loss of anal control, would anyone else have suffered this?
Thanks Sharon.

[mocity]

I had my scoliosis surgery in 1989 and went pain free until about 2 years ago. I have gone to two different surgeons (mine has since retired) and no one can tell why I am experiencing pain. I have had and MRI and several other tests. My lower back hurts and I have pain and numbness in my right leg, hip and foot. The tests haven't shown any problems so now they are suggesting I do the cortisone shots to see if that helps the pain. I have a problem with doing that when they have no idea why I am having pain in the first place.

It is getting so frustrating. I am 35 now.

[rickdog]

Hi, I just joined today. I am a compression fracture dislocation at L1 victim since 1984, not a scoliosis patient. But this is one of the few places I found that I find others with a lot in common back wise. I have 2 Harrington rods from T10-L4 with fusion. They are very straight and I am sure I suffer from flatback as well as pains below the rods daily. I have read quite a few reports of similar or identical complaints that I have had for over 20 years. Has here anyone had the H-rods removed? I've been told that I would need anterior and posterior surgery and this has scared me away from it. I'm 47 years old, I'm afraid I'm getting too old to go through this much surgery. Any info is always appreciated, rickdog

[LindaRacine]

Hi Rickdog...

Having your rods removed will probably not do anything to resolve your pain. To hopefully resolve your pain and prevent further deterioration, you'd need to having the flatback corrected.

If you want to "meet" a lot of people who have had their flatback corrected, you can visit this forum:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Flatback_Revised/

Regards,
Linda

[rickdog]

"Having your rods removed will probably not do anything to resolve your pain. To hopefully resolve your pain and prevent further deterioration, you'd need to having the flatback corrected."

Yes, I understand that, that's why it's such a long, involved surgery with a lot of blood loss with both anterior and posterior approaches. All the old fusion has to be broken out, the rods removed, then some kind of modern fixation to restore lordosis with screws, rods, pedicle subtraction osteotomy, etc. That's why I'm curious to see how this has turned out for someone in a similar situation as mine, thanks much for the link and reply, Rick

[kjbevin]

Had my surgery in 86 my pain has been about 12 years and getting worse. My husband is moving us to a diffrent climate to see if that helps.

[Andy2010]

I haven't had any problems with flatback, pain, etc. yet and I had Harrington Rods put in 20 years ago. I was active, especially in sports, as soon as I got the OK from my surgeon. Am I concerned that it could eventually happen to me? A little. I'm just going to continue on with my daily life until heaven-forbid something does happen.

[BentMetal]

I have a harrington rod too. I had surgery in 1979. Is it not possible to have another surgery, taking out the harrington and undergoing a new surgery with a new technique? Or does the fusion prevent that? My fusion is T6 - T12. I asked a Doctor about that recently. I only spoke with the front office so far, but I have an appointment. The front office said that they've done a couple of them, but it depends on the spine's flexibility. I'm guessing too much fusion will reduce the effects of any modern day surgery. :(

But wouldn't that be great. Go in, pull out the rod, put in a new one (the C-D or ?), reduce the curve even more, some thoracoplasty, and get rid of the flat back and humps (for the molst part). :D

But maybe they can cut away some fusion to increase flexibility so the new technique can have some effect. :confused:

Jon

[LindaRacine]

Hi Jon...

The only way to change your spine in the area of the fusion, is to remove the rod and perform an osteotomy. You can see what an osteotomy looks like here:

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displaygraphic.php/321/dp_022101bridwell_pso-BB.jpg

It's a big procedure, and I doubt that many surgeons would do it strictly for the purpose of getting a better cosmetic result.

Regards,
Linda

[BentMetal]

Hi Linda

Thanks for the info. Looks like a very big job, and painful at that. Do you know of any Doctors in California that have done this procedure?

Thanks

Jon

[LindaRacine]

Hi Jon...

Yes, I know quite a few. Where in California are you located?

--Linda

[BentMetal]

Orange County, but LA is fine too. Tx.

Jon

[LindaRacine]

Hi Jon...

Check out Behrooz Akbarnia in La Jolla:

http://www.orthodoc.aaos.org/links2.cfm?webid=2014

Regards,
Linda

[BentMetal]

I will. Thanks Linda.

Jon

[BentMetal]

Hi Linda or Anyone

In addition to the prior Doctor you mentioned, who do you think are the top 2 or 3 Docs in southern california. As you know, I'm looking into possibly getting a 2nd surgery to hopefully achieve the following:
- relieve flat back syndrome, and subsequent pressure/pain on lumbar area
- reduce pain in both humps
- straighten spine more (if possible)
- reduce humps with thoacoplasty

I'm looking into this for current pain relief, potential future pain relief and cosmetic reasons (but mostly for pain).

And if possible, can you tell me who you think are the top 2 or 3 surgeons in the country.

Thanks!

Jon

[LindaRacine]

Hi Jon...

Unfortunately, I don't really know much about any of the other southern California surgeons, so I'm not comfortable making any recommendation. The names I hear the most for flatback/revision surgery are:

Serena Hu, UCSF
Sigurd Berven, UCSF
Keith Bridwell, St. Louis
Frank Rand, Boston
Oheneba Boachie, NY
Mike LaGrone, Amarillo

I would personally let any of them operate on me.

Regards,
Linda