Hello. I am glad to find this forum, particularly since it seems more active than another forum I just stumbled on. I just posted to another thread and am hoping to find others with similar symptoms and experiences as mine.
At the age of 12 I noticed my back was hunching over on one side. Within a couple months of discovering this I was preparing for surgery to correct a hemivertebrate in my thoracic spine. The fusion was performed and a harrington rod was inserted. That rod is still in place. I am trying to find others with rods in place or removed and what type of symptoms they have.
I have done well over the years, even spent two years in the Peace Corps in Southern Africa. For most of my young adult life the most discomfort I had was from leaning back on a metal chair and feeling the rod. I was always active walking, stretching and strenght training but always avoided contact sports or any sport that I felt could compromise the fusion and rod placement.
As I age the symptoms have increased. Thankfully, I was able to carry 4 pregnancies with minimal discomfort. If anything, pregnancy was when I had the least amount of muscle spasms. Three of the deliveries were completely natural as I did not want an epidural and had a doula coaching me through the deliveries. She was on hand in the event of back labor. The last pregnancy was breech and a c-section was needed. I did not opt for an epidural block but went for general. Post pregnancy was harder on my back, carrying infant seats and holding the babies for long amounts of time took its toll.
I can manage for the most part with strength training exercises, stretching and some pain medications. I do not take part in any sports and after 4 pregnancies am not as slim as I once was. I am thankful that I was able to have the spine straightened though now I deal daily with discomfort. I have arthritis in my neck and lower back. The muslce spasms on my right side can be extreme at times. My lower back is generally sore. I also have an inflamed muscle in my right shoulder and an inflamed muscle in my left hip.
My scar still impresses the medical community and I still spend the summer hiding it! The scoliosis is not always apparent as the fusion corrected it well. I do not remember the exact degrees but I went from a 54 or so degree curve to about a 20 degree curve if I am remembering correctly. The surgery was performed at Columbia Presbyterian by Dr. Hugo Keim. I no longer live in the metropolitan NY area but am in Southeast massachusetts. I have 4 children, a great husband and two dogs that keep me busy.
At the age of 12 I noticed my back was hunching over on one side. Within a couple months of discovering this I was preparing for surgery to correct a hemivertebrate in my thoracic spine. The fusion was performed and a harrington rod was inserted. That rod is still in place. I am trying to find others with rods in place or removed and what type of symptoms they have.
I have done well over the years, even spent two years in the Peace Corps in Southern Africa. For most of my young adult life the most discomfort I had was from leaning back on a metal chair and feeling the rod. I was always active walking, stretching and strenght training but always avoided contact sports or any sport that I felt could compromise the fusion and rod placement.
As I age the symptoms have increased. Thankfully, I was able to carry 4 pregnancies with minimal discomfort. If anything, pregnancy was when I had the least amount of muscle spasms. Three of the deliveries were completely natural as I did not want an epidural and had a doula coaching me through the deliveries. She was on hand in the event of back labor. The last pregnancy was breech and a c-section was needed. I did not opt for an epidural block but went for general. Post pregnancy was harder on my back, carrying infant seats and holding the babies for long amounts of time took its toll.
I can manage for the most part with strength training exercises, stretching and some pain medications. I do not take part in any sports and after 4 pregnancies am not as slim as I once was. I am thankful that I was able to have the spine straightened though now I deal daily with discomfort. I have arthritis in my neck and lower back. The muslce spasms on my right side can be extreme at times. My lower back is generally sore. I also have an inflamed muscle in my right shoulder and an inflamed muscle in my left hip.
My scar still impresses the medical community and I still spend the summer hiding it! The scoliosis is not always apparent as the fusion corrected it well. I do not remember the exact degrees but I went from a 54 or so degree curve to about a 20 degree curve if I am remembering correctly. The surgery was performed at Columbia Presbyterian by Dr. Hugo Keim. I no longer live in the metropolitan NY area but am in Southeast massachusetts. I have 4 children, a great husband and two dogs that keep me busy.
Comment