Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Broken Harrington Rod

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Broken Harrington Rod

    Hello to all. I'm a 42 yr old male diagnosed with a severe Kyphoscoliosis curvitue in the 74 to 87 degree range, July of 1981. Had 2 Harrington Rods instrumented into where else, my back. It's 23 years later now. Now there telling me one of the rods broke back in one place prior to 1992. Would of been nice if they said something at the time. So the day after new years, My back went on a roller coaster ride for the month of Jan 2005 expieriencing all kinds of pain. So made an appt to my Ortho surgeon while The President was beeing sworne into office. Took 2 X-rays and one rod is broken an another place. This explains my back problems in Janurary. Being a medical professional I was ready for the R word (revision). Instead I get a month of PT 2 days/week and meds. Not crazy about this path for my back. Lower back pinching and a rod that digs into you needs to be taken out. Working on a 2nd opinion. This problem has taken my level of physical activity to a lower level. The doctor said to give it time and not to worry about it. My basic impression was 'Stop Whining about it". wrong! I know for sure that I have the right to have it taken out. It's not fun feeling a rod in your lower back move when you turn your back to do anything.This is something that was never discussed with me at the time the rods were inserted. What can happen 20 to 25 years down the road? Now that a rod is broke in 2 places,I'm left to fend this situation for my self. And the problem for me being a medical professional is that I know to much. I'm willing to give this time but not a lot of it. Will keep you all posted if I have it taken out or not.

  • #2
    Hi Craig...

    I'd like to encourage you to see a scoliosis specialist who has a lot of experience treating patients with prior scoliosis fusions. I see that you're in Florida. The names I've heard in terms of treating patients such as yourself are:

    Grady McBride
    http://www.orlandoortho.com/physicia...-mcbride.shtml

    Anthony Moreno
    http://www.floridaspineinstitute.com...sp?did=1&bid=1

    Harry Shufflebarger
    http://www.mch.com/clinical/mch_reso...?record_id=561

    I think you'll find that, when you find the right doctor, they'll recommend surgery. Unfortunately, you may find that it's more than just implant removal. When rods break, it's usually because there's an area of non-fusion.

    Best of luck in finding a good doc.

    Regards,
    Linda
    Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
    Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

    Comment

    Working...
    X