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My Broken Rod Drops, PLEASE READ!

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  • My Broken Rod Drops, PLEASE READ!

    Well It turns out that the last 2 months of back problems were from my broken rod dropping 10 to 11 inches and ending up just under the skin of my Rear. I delt with this for 10 days of not being able to sit down. All I could do was walk in short steps,stand or lay down in one position. During this time I called my ortho stressing what is happening. A CT was ordered and I dropped them off to my doctors office after having a 2nd opinion. That night my orthos office calls and asks to see me first thing thurs. Needless to say how struggling it was to get around in a car with a rod poached into your left rear. After having a PA and a Lateral X-ray done, my doctor walks in with this I can't belive this X-ray look on his face. Being a Med professional I asked the same question to my Ortho. Have you ever ween a rod drop this low before? They both said "NO". My Ortho surgeon has never seen anything like this and he wants to submit it to The Journal OF Orthopedic Medicine. So explains why he wasnt responding to my problem as quick as you would think. This has never been seen before. He was shocked by this. His PA could'nt beliveit. Now they understand why I was calling in a panic. So for the last 2 months of back stabbing pain and walking differently to ajust my back problems,my rod was cutting superfiscially down into my waist and into my rear. So he said lets take it out. I did and outpatient procedure and they sterilized the rod and and gave it to me. Rod looks brand new and spotless. Well what a relief that was. Now I need time to get back to normal. For the last two months I had to walk differently to accomodate my back and needless to say for the last 10 days with a rod skured through my rear. Those 10 days were worst then the two months of back problems. I feel great now and hadn't need any pain med since. It's taking some time to do every day things now that I couln't do for the last two months. So I'm coming up with my list of top uses for a broken harrington rod. Here they are. Shishkabob skure,roast marshmellows,a pointer,excellent for signing your name in cement,An orchestra conductors wand,Use part of a lighted pen and stick it on the end and you have a Harry Potter wand. So to all you fellow Harrington Rod recipients BEWARE! A broken rod can drop down causing stabbing pain as it cuts through. And I'm sure doing anything can cause it to drop. And your doctors are not aware of this. Greg Brown Longwood FL
    Last edited by Craig831; 03-15-2005, 10:10 AM.

  • #2
    You could also cut the rod up and make jewelry. :-)
    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


    • #3
      slipped rod

      Were you ever treated/manipulated by a chiro? I often wonder of that could do something to the hardware since they use a lot of force to "adjust" the spine. I personally would be fearful of using one after a fusion.
      Karen
      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


      • #4
        Hey Craig,
        I am very close to where you live and after reading this I was shocked. I had no idea it was possible for the rods to be able to move that freely. I am also very curious to where you went for surgery and if the doctor you were refferring to is the same that put it in? I am waiting for surgery now and have seen a few doctors in the area of Winter Park where I live. I had one facility that I wasted time on and refuse to have surgery by them. Now I have different insurances and have found a new one.

        I bet the rod would make a great antenna for radio and t.v. I know I have thought I have shut a few computers down in my time from the hardware. Krystal
        Diagnosed 11 at school screening, surgery 16.
        Had Harrington rods w/fusions.
        Luque-thorasic.
        Full term pregnancies,no major issues.sciatica with the first. Epidurals with C-sections
        2005:lumbar reconstruction, 2 plates, 6 screws in sacrum, and 2 cages with my own bone.
        2007: cervical surgery to correct 4 bulging discs, two fusions with cages using cadaver bone.
        Both of my daughters have scoliosis. Both were diagnosed by 7.
        http://spinedoctors.md/ Dr, Jospeh Flynn Jr

        Comment


        • #5
          My rods dropped and now STUFF has grown

          around them and no surgeon is comfortable in operating.
          Which, to tell the truth, I am not into risking paralysis.

          I could sure use some help in finding out what others like myself are doing for pain. Here is the sad..but true story...


          I am a 44 year old female
          I was in a car wreck when I was 18
          which broke my back
          which led me to have Harrington Rods
          to fuse that part of my spine.
          This was in 1979.

          I went thru most of my life with moderate
          pain. That is...up until 1997 when I was 37.

          My pain started just like a sciatica nerve
          problem. My doc did the normal rest, muscle
          relaxers etc.

          Several weeks later, the pain had worsened!
          The doc then diagnosed me with what was then
          a new (or new to me) dis-ease Fibromyalgia.
          This was diagnosed with NO type of Cat scans,
          bone scans or Xrays.

          In my medical records it was stated
          that I had the spinal fusion and the rods.

          Almost 2 years later, when I was crying and
          mopping my floor, my husband insisted that I go
          to our local urgent care for an xray.

          We did...and when we saw the xrays
          my rods were NOT in their original place!
          The screws had slid upward
          the rods scooted downwards.
          And can I tell you?
          My back hurts like a mo-fo

          And here is it several years later.
          They eventually placed me on vicodin which
          actually helped very much for these
          past seven years.

          It didnt cure the pain. But took the edge off.

          However, now, either my pain has worsened...
          (and I am also having horrible shoulder
          and upper back pain recently started)
          or the pain meds just aren't working any longer.

          I have had NOTHING but the run around from
          pain management doctors. Most recently
          because my pain level is up to a 30
          (on a one to ten scale) and then emotionally
          I am sort of freaking out because
          I can't sleep, I can barely move...
          it is just horrible...
          and my new pain management doc told
          me when I phoned in to tell her I needed
          something for the pain...
          to just hold on until my next appointment
          (which was more than a month away)

          A month isnt a very long time when you aren't in
          pain. But when you wake up several times a night,
          from the pain, and sometimes vomitting from the
          intense burn...then a month is a very long time.

          I am looking for others who have experienced
          something similar to this and would like to see
          what has helped them,
          medically, spiritually, emotionally!?

          I just feel like the docs don't believe me
          when I tell them how bad I am hurting.

          I have always been optimistic
          not a complainer, and easy going about
          all this pain. There are folks out there with
          a lot worse problems and for the better part of
          my life, I felt blessed that this was my main problem.

          But now...the pain is disabling me so bad that
          I can't take care of my family
          (which I LOVE to do)
          I have been taking off work
          (Which I can't do! we have bills)
          and I swear where I was a pretty balanced female...
          now...I am depressed.
          Never have I felt so hopeless.
          And I don't like that.

          you can contact me at my husbands email address which is ericdane2005@aol.com

          And may God Bless each of you to find
          compassionate care from the medical field.
          XOXO
          Vicki

          Comment


          • #6
            My Goodness,
            I am so sorry to hear how bad the pain is. I have found many different avenues for pain and I have elected to go through with the surgery. I have the risk of never walking again but I find my self at least 60% of the time in so much pain I cant walk anyway. I feel like it is a chance I have to take. It may not be as risky as one might imagine. They have so many ways to monitor to make sure paralyses doesnt occur. Have you found a great ortho doctor in your area yet? And if you feel comfortable some of the people on here are good people with a lot of knowledge they know doctors from all over, and they may be able to help. If youu look for susanajon she has a list posted. I am in Fl so if you need help you can either post here I will get it through email or email my directly krystalanne72@hotmail.com. I have found relief with lidoderm patches. They help me without the narcotic effect. it is a topical patch. Well keep in touch and try to not over do it. Find some help with chores and such. Your health is more important. Krystal
            Diagnosed 11 at school screening, surgery 16.
            Had Harrington rods w/fusions.
            Luque-thorasic.
            Full term pregnancies,no major issues.sciatica with the first. Epidurals with C-sections
            2005:lumbar reconstruction, 2 plates, 6 screws in sacrum, and 2 cages with my own bone.
            2007: cervical surgery to correct 4 bulging discs, two fusions with cages using cadaver bone.
            Both of my daughters have scoliosis. Both were diagnosed by 7.
            http://spinedoctors.md/ Dr, Jospeh Flynn Jr

            Comment


            • #7
              Mygoodness...

              You need to find a good scoliosis specialist who has a lot of experience treating patients with prior scoliosis fusions. Where do you live?

              --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


              • #8
                Prayers being heard?

                I think so!
                I tell you...no one understands like someone who has been thru it eh?

                Thank you both SO MUCH for posting.
                I just already feel a bit better!

                You know for the past several years I didn't even
                consider the surgery to take out the rods for 2 reasons.
                The 3 surgeons I visited (individually and over a 2 year time period)
                said no way would they want to mess with it. The risks being too high.

                That kind of scared me of course.
                And back then, I thought I could handle this pain.

                But you are right.
                I can barely walk most of the time anyway!
                Well I should rephrase...I can walk...but o Lordy how
                it hurts. And I sit there sometimes for 10 or 20 minutes...
                DREADING the walk!

                So...at this point, I am rethinking the surgery.
                I think my next goal will be to find someone willing
                to take the chance to operate.

                I just cannot thank you all for your postings.
                When I found this site, I sat here and cried.
                Happy cries for once! LOL
                Because I thought I was possibly...
                overexaggerating my pain,
                just a person who is hooked on pain meds...
                or that somewhere deep inside...
                I enjoyed this situation.

                Well I can tell ya...
                I DON'T! LOL
                If I wanted attention,
                I would rather it be good positive attention.
                Like having a beautiful garden that I can
                get out and plant and grow.
                Or a world renown bungee jumper! LOL

                I will be visiting many areas of this site.
                And be sending silent prayers to each name I read over.
                XoXo
                Vicki

                Opps almost forgot..
                I am in Cincinnati Ohio

                Comment


                • #9
                  Hi Vicki...

                  Thanks. I'm working on trying to find the name(s) of doctors in your area who might be able to help. The doctor in Cincinnati for whom I have the most respect is Alvin Crawford. Unfortunately, he doesn't treat adults. But, I'm sure he can guide me toward someone who can help you. Can you tell me more about who told you that trying to remove the rods would be too big of a risk?

                  Thanks.

                  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


                  • #10
                    Hey Vicki,
                    I am so glad you found this site. I too found it and was so relieved to see it wasn't just in my head. For years I dealt with the pain and babied my back as much as I could. I had to work laboring jobs and had alot of strains but until this past few years I noticed not being bale to even do small stuff. So after seeking help from the doctors on countless occasions for pain I gave up. I was handed so many prescriptions for Paxil. I am not depressed and my pain was clearly not from depression. I am a happy person and look forward to everyday. I wish doctors would not be so quick to chaulk up pain to depression and anxiety.

                    I wanted to tell you that I am glad you see that surgery has the ability to make you better. But make sure the doctor really has had alot of revision experience. Stay in touch and take care. I too will be praying for you. Krystal
                    Diagnosed 11 at school screening, surgery 16.
                    Had Harrington rods w/fusions.
                    Luque-thorasic.
                    Full term pregnancies,no major issues.sciatica with the first. Epidurals with C-sections
                    2005:lumbar reconstruction, 2 plates, 6 screws in sacrum, and 2 cages with my own bone.
                    2007: cervical surgery to correct 4 bulging discs, two fusions with cages using cadaver bone.
                    Both of my daughters have scoliosis. Both were diagnosed by 7.
                    http://spinedoctors.md/ Dr, Jospeh Flynn Jr

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      thank each of you SO much!

                      I know what you mean about the depression!
                      So often the doctor I was seeing
                      wanted to quick throw me on anti depressants.
                      Now I know there are some anti depresants that help pain.

                      And I have tried some of them
                      with what I felt was no extra pain relief
                      only weird feelings.

                      I don't want to change who I am emotionally.
                      Because I too look forward to each day.
                      My life...by the grace of God...besides my pain is
                      pretty near perfect.

                      I have great kids
                      a terrific husband and
                      I even like the work I do!

                      If it were not for the pain..
                      that actually has started to keep me from
                      all 3 of those things...I would be good to go!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by LindaRacine
                        Hi Vicki...

                        Thanks. I'm working on trying to find the name(s) of doctors in your area who might be able to help. The doctor in Cincinnati for whom I have the most respect is Alvin Crawford. Unfortunately, he doesn't treat adults. But, I'm sure he can guide me toward someone who can help you. Can you tell me more about who told you that trying to remove the rods would be too big of a risk?

                        Thanks.

                        Regards,
                        Linda

                        There were actually 3 different docs who felt it wouldnt be the best
                        thing to have the rods removed. All 3 orthopedic surgeons =(
                        One of which I do respect a great deal.

                        I don't want to list their names because
                        I think they are each good doctors.
                        I just think they didnt know what to do with me.

                        None of them had heard about the rods slipping or breaking at
                        the time of my visit.
                        Now that was back in 1998.


                        I just made an appointment with a neurologist with the
                        Mayfield Group (highly highly respected here in Cincy)
                        and hopefully they can tell me more.

                        XoXo
                        Vicki

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Hey All,
                          I just wanted to tell you all that this forum is the greatest. I took a ride from Fl to Indiana and I tell you although is was a long drive I found in strength to do it. I would have given in long ago if I hadn't ran across it. It is nice to hear that you arent alone with the pain. As strange as it sounds it helps. I get up and I think I can breath on my own and get out of bed. The rest should be simple. i am a hard working person and this back stuff gets me down. But I still work harder than most woman and I am damn proud of it. Chin up everyone. Krystal
                          Diagnosed 11 at school screening, surgery 16.
                          Had Harrington rods w/fusions.
                          Luque-thorasic.
                          Full term pregnancies,no major issues.sciatica with the first. Epidurals with C-sections
                          2005:lumbar reconstruction, 2 plates, 6 screws in sacrum, and 2 cages with my own bone.
                          2007: cervical surgery to correct 4 bulging discs, two fusions with cages using cadaver bone.
                          Both of my daughters have scoliosis. Both were diagnosed by 7.
                          http://spinedoctors.md/ Dr, Jospeh Flynn Jr

                          Comment

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