Silly ? - flatback, degen disc, fusion

[always smilin']

I'm still trying to understand my surgery which I had in 1982 as a 12 year old. I have a Harrington Rod hooked at T2, T6, L1. Does this mean that I am "fused"? (Sorry if this is a silly question). :confused: From readings on this site it appears that those witha longer fusion have more trouble with degenerative disc disease? I'm just trying to figure this all out. I did briefly check out the flatback site that Linda posted and noticed that it can cause muscle problems. I'm having difficulty with my right arm, hand and am concerned with my loss of arm use. Could use some help interpreting it all.
Thank you all!

[LindaRacine]

Smilin...

Assuming that you got the result that was desired, you are fused from T2-L1. I believe the nerves to your arms and hands come from your neck. The only way to know what the problem is, is to be seen by a spine specialist.

Regards,
Linda

[always smilin']

Linda-
You're amazing. I've learned more on this site in a week than I have in my entire adulthood:) Yes, I believe the desired results were achieved at that time...as I know you've read...I'm searching and WILL find the answers somehow
Thanks for your patience and help

[sweetness514]

I used to and now sometimes get numbness in my arm and hand-also fingertips, and it does come from the neck but I also notice that when the hardware in my thoracic region touching my shoulder blades hurt and gets inflammation, automatically my arm/hand hurt too.

[always smilin']

How do you know for sure what your hardware is doing? I've had mine so long it is no longer "hardware" its "me-ware" (he he). The pain tonight is absolutely awful in my shoulder neck and all the way down my back. You should have seen me writing on the chalkboard today -if it didn't hurt so bad I would have laughed at myself. I don't think it's hardware trouble as my hardware is on the left side of my spine in the thoracic region and it's my right side that's in pain.

Have you ever been checked out Sweetness? I just find it amazing that we have to "live" like this when I've had a great running streak of 20+ years...but maybe I'm just lucky?

Had my MRI today...those that took the MRI actually thought it turned out (as in picture quality) OK but I won't find out for sure til next week.

Thanks for all the support and feedback!

[sweetness514]

Hi, yes I've been checked...

I had this type of pain that resembles yours. I had a hook removed and I was pain free for 5 years. Then a rod of mine broke and I had surgery again this last December, and so now I have bigger screws and new cross links and still am getting adjusted to them, so I do get pain and inflammation. Like my ortho said, it is normal that it hurts at times when it gets swollen, and sometimes rest and some meds can help. It can come from a number of things, like an injury of over doing a certain movement, or just that a certain screw or hook irritates that area and it needs to be taken out, after all the alternatives have been done, and the pain is too much. It can also be that all the hardware is causing it, or that there is a breakage or loose screws. Also, my rod was broken on one side but the other side hurt just as much if not more. But that is what my case was, I can't tell you what yours is exactly or if it's the same thing.

Good luck to you.

[always smilin']

Wow! Sounds like you've experienced quite a bit. Thanks for your feedback and insight and to you I also wish you the best...it sure is a journey, is it not! :)