This is my first post on this site. I wore a Milwaukee brace for 3 years, had Harrington rod/spinal fusion surgeries in 1988 and 1990 (at 16 and 18 years of age), and am now 33, married, with 2 young children (4 and 2). Over the last few months, I have developed pain in my upper back, around the top of my rod. Recently, I have been to the emergency room due to the pain, I've seen my family practitioner and received pain medication, and been to an orthopedic clinic in Northern Virginia. They took x-rays of my neck and reviewed the x-rays and CT scan from my ER visit, and determined that my neck is fine. They suspect that the pain is caused by my rod ("symptomatic hardware"), so I'm having a bone scan on Thursday, and a follow-up with the orthopedic surgeon on June 2. It has been suggested that my rod may need to be removed.
That said, I'm terrified. My first surgery was a horrendous experience. And I had to have everything "hacked out" (my second surgeon's words) and replaced because it was done incorrectly and the rod remained loose in my spine for 2 years. That pain was bad enough, but now I have 2 little ones who rely on me. I feel like I "haven't got time for the pain" (isn't that a commercial??).
So, I guess I'm just really nervous about this upcoming bone scan and what it may or may not reveal. I felt like I was going nuts after my first surgery because the surgeon said he'd never had a patient report so much pain following surgery. Well, the x-rays taken on the OR table showed that the rod was already out of the hook. I don't know how they missed that!
It has been terribly helpful to read all of the shared experiences and support shown on this board. Thank you all for sharing. I look forward to seeing if anyone has had an experience like mine.
Much love to all,
Mylinda
Virginia, USA
That said, I'm terrified. My first surgery was a horrendous experience. And I had to have everything "hacked out" (my second surgeon's words) and replaced because it was done incorrectly and the rod remained loose in my spine for 2 years. That pain was bad enough, but now I have 2 little ones who rely on me. I feel like I "haven't got time for the pain" (isn't that a commercial??).
So, I guess I'm just really nervous about this upcoming bone scan and what it may or may not reveal. I felt like I was going nuts after my first surgery because the surgeon said he'd never had a patient report so much pain following surgery. Well, the x-rays taken on the OR table showed that the rod was already out of the hook. I don't know how they missed that!
It has been terribly helpful to read all of the shared experiences and support shown on this board. Thank you all for sharing. I look forward to seeing if anyone has had an experience like mine.
Much love to all,
Mylinda
Virginia, USA
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