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Possibility Of Rod Movement

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  • Possibility Of Rod Movement

    I went to the Dr today, having had x-rays following a lot of back pain. I had a spinal fusion in 1977 and the x-rays taken at the local hospital show that the bottom of the rod may have moved slightly, his rod goes from top of the spine to the bottom. I have been referred to Stanmore.

    Is the normal treatment removal of the rod, or is there some other type of treatment if the rod has moved, what would the waiting list and recovery time be for this type of surgery? I am 39 years old.

    I look forward to your comments

    Many thanks

  • #2
    It's certainly not a standard method of treatment, but if the implant is causing pain, it can be removed.

    --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

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    • #3
      rod removal

      Hi Guys

      I have just been discharged from the RHO in Stanmore, having had compression rods (wisconsin? - they are not harrington) removed 12 years after surgery to correct kyphoscoliosis (scheurmann's disease). I had all of my thoracic vertebrae fused when I was 17. Approx. 18 months after fusion i had the lower half of the rods and hooks removed after my surgeon (now retired) saw that they had fragmented. I had the upper sections removed 10 days ago because I had the end of a rod poking outwards resulting in a large uncomfortable lump. Apparently the fusions look good and in my case at least, the instrumentation was becoming a hinderance since it was causing me discomfort and had served its purpose in ensuring the fusions were successful. So far, so good -no more metal lump, just a bit sore with the normal post-op numbness around in the incision. I'm just hoping the numbness will recede, its pretty unpleasant! This is my 4th procedure at the RNO,. they are very good and in the past the numbness has eventually reduced, so fingers crossed.

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      • #4
        Loose Pedicile Screw

        I too found out that I have hardware problems which are causing significant lower back pain. I am 23 and had the surgery almost 8 years ago. I am wondering about hardware removal and recovery time, ext. If there are problems after 8 years I do not want to wait and see what happens in 10, 20, 30 more years.

        Any insight into rod removal or Harringtom rods, pedicle screws would be sooo apreciated.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by mtheta
          I too found out that I have hardware problems which are causing significant lower back pain. I am 23 and had the surgery almost 8 years ago. I am wondering about hardware removal and recovery time, ext. If there are problems after 8 years I do not want to wait and see what happens in 10, 20, 30 more years.

          Any insight into rod removal or Harringtom rods, pedicle screws would be sooo apreciated.
          Hi...

          Try doing a search (see icon above) on REMOVAL, and you'll find several threads on the topic.

          Do you actually have Harrington rods? If you're in the U.S., and your surgeon is someone who does more than a few scoliosis surgeries a year, it's fairly unlikely that your rods are Harrington rods. Also, Harrington rods were distraction rods that have hooks at the top and bottom, and no pedicle screws.

          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

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          • #6
            I'm Canadian, I am almost positive they are titanium Harrington rods. Although I could be mistaken... The rods run the full length of my spine, but you could be right as I read Harrington rods were pretty much out of use in the late 90's. My sergeon was the Chief of Childrens Hospital so he was preforming a ton of these surgeries.

            I did find some information about migrating pedicle screws that did not sound positive. The problem with the internet is that you can never know what is reliable or not.

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            • #7
              I, too, am hoping to hear from someone as to whether or not it is sensible to have Harrington rods removed. I just saw a surgeon a couple of weeks ago who suggested it because I am tiny, and most likely, always will be. My size has never really helped me since the rods tend to protrude. I have been in tremendous pain since April! I also have had serious pain in my lower back and right hip and leg. I've been amazed with how many people on this site also experience these same things!

              I had the Harrington rods implanted in 1992 and am now 28 years old, so I do think that going through the surgery makes sense because I am not able to do anything at all now, however I would like to hear opinions on whether or not the healing process is as hard as the first surgery I had, etc.

              I do believe it is possible for the rods to move because my x-rays have changed a bit over the years.

              I hope that someone can answer you out of experience and give us both a little information!

              ~Andrea

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              • #8
                I totally relate Andrea. Do you find you can "feel" the rods shifts when you move?? I try to explain this to people who do not have rods and they completely dont understand. It is a strange sensation that I find hard to discribe.

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                • #9
                  Rod Removal/movement

                  I have been to the specialist at Oxford a couple of times, had various scans, my rod hasn't moved so far, however it is loose! I have now been told I have a trapped nerve, not sure what the treatment will be.

                  Best wishes

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