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Harrington rod and going to a chiropractor - any advice?

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  • #1

    Harrington rod and going to a chiropractor - any advice?

    I am currently dealing with the aftermath of a herniated disc below my fusion (the worst pain is over, but I am still stiff and feel "misaligned") and neck and shoulder pain. I have been wary about ever going to a chiropractor due to my Harrington rod, but have noticed others with similar surgery have gone to chiropractors. I'm just wondering how to best go about doing this - are there special chiropractors for scoliosis patients? Does bringing an x-ray help? There's no chance the treatment would dislodge some of my hardware is there? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    - Sarah
    - 39 years old
    - At age 14, curve progressed from 45 degrees to 62 degrees in two months.
    - Surgery in 1990 at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) with Dr. Letts. Fused T5 to L2. Corrected to about 30 degrees.
    - Harrington rod
    - Herniated disc - L5/S1 - January 2008. Summer 2009 - close to making a full recovery.
    - New mommy as of February 2011
    - Second child - September 2013
    - Staying relatively painfree through physio exercises!
    Tags: None
  • #2
    When I took my son to a chiropractor after his surgery, the chiro didn't do anything rough at all. He used a couple of vibrating tools to help loosen up some of my son's stiff back muscles. This person is also a naturopath and has always been very gentle.

    Maybe you could find someone like that?
    Laurie

    Mother of Alexander & Zachary:
    Alex is 16 years old and in the 11th grade. He has congenital scoliosis due to a hemivertebrae at T10. Wore a TLSO brace for 3 1/2 years. Pre-op curves were T45 & L65; curves post-op are approx. T31 & L34. Had a posterior spinal fusion from T8 to L3 on 7/12/07 at age 12. Doing great now in so many ways, but still working on improving posture.
    Zach is 13 years old and very energetic.

    Comment

    • #3
      Originally posted by SIsForSarah
      I am currently dealing with the aftermath of a herniated disc below my fusion (the worst pain is over, but I am still stiff and feel "misaligned") and neck and shoulder pain. I have been wary about ever going to a chiropractor due to my Harrington rod, but have noticed others with similar surgery have gone to chiropractors. I'm just wondering how to best go about doing this - are there special chiropractors for scoliosis patients? Does bringing an x-ray help? There's no chance the treatment would dislodge some of my hardware is there? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

      - Sarah
      DON'T DO IT
      March 23, 2006 Anterior/posterior Ileum-T2
      15 1/2 Hours
      Dr. Tom Lowe R.I.P.

      Comment

      • #4
        Thank you for your feedback laurie and BackTalk.

        Backtalk - just wondering if you could give me a little more information about why it would be bad for me to see a chiropractor - I just want to make sure I have all the facts before making a decision. Thanks!

        - Sarah
        - 39 years old
        - At age 14, curve progressed from 45 degrees to 62 degrees in two months.
        - Surgery in 1990 at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) with Dr. Letts. Fused T5 to L2. Corrected to about 30 degrees.
        - Harrington rod
        - Herniated disc - L5/S1 - January 2008. Summer 2009 - close to making a full recovery.
        - New mommy as of February 2011
        - Second child - September 2013
        - Staying relatively painfree through physio exercises!

        Comment

        • #5
          A better suggestion would be to see a scoliosis specialist with experience handling patients with prior fusions. You must rule out fusion weakness and hardware shifting. I would be afraid the chiro would dislodge a hook.

          I really do not believe a chiro could solve this type of problem. You might get temporary relief from Rolfing-- called structural integration--this discipline works on soft tissue issues and does not mess with the bones/hardware. However, with scoliosis, the whole spinal balance must be evaluated.
          Original scoliosis surgery 1956 T-4 to L-2 ~100 degree thoracic (triple)curves at age 14. NO hardware-lost correction.
          Anterior/posterior revision T-4 to Sacrum in 2002, age 60, by Dr. Boachie-Adjei @Hospital for Special Surgery, NY = 50% correction

          Comment

          • #6
            Hi Karen,

            Thanks for your answer. That makes a lot of sense. I do actually have an appointment scheduled with back specialist who is very familiar with scolioisis - it's not for 6 months, but better to wait and have all the facts than jump into a treatment when I'm not sure exactly when I'm having problems. Thanks again for this information.

            - Sarah
            - 39 years old
            - At age 14, curve progressed from 45 degrees to 62 degrees in two months.
            - Surgery in 1990 at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) with Dr. Letts. Fused T5 to L2. Corrected to about 30 degrees.
            - Harrington rod
            - Herniated disc - L5/S1 - January 2008. Summer 2009 - close to making a full recovery.
            - New mommy as of February 2011
            - Second child - September 2013
            - Staying relatively painfree through physio exercises!

            Comment

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