Harrington rod issues
Hi--this is my first post. I hope these boards are still active; reading them and knowing I'm not alone has been comforting.
Dr. Keim did my scoliosis surgery 30 years ago this month, and for many years I've had no issues. I've always been active--running, walking, hiking, dancing--and had no pain whatsoever. But as soon as I hit my 45th birthday two months ago, the wheels started comin' off. After sitting for awhile, I experience lower back/hip pain, stiffness and sometimes tingles in my leg when I get up and walk. It's hard for me to straighten up after sitting, too. Exercise, monthly theraputic massage, a good mattress, and 'sensible' shoes help. So does adding an orthodic to one shoe, as one leg is shorter than the other. But I wonder...is it enough to just manage the pain and discomfort?
Despite the rod, I may be listing to the left again. I've seen in X-rays that my rod isn't in the same position it was 20-30 years ago, which is disturbing. Not sure what's up with that, and I hope it's not terribly dangerous. I'm still screwing up my courage to see a doctor--preferably Errico or Dryer. I live out of state now and nobody here has a clue about my condition.
I do NOT want to go through surgery again. But I also don't want to get myself in trouble by not directly addressing a potentially serious problem.
Thank you for listening. Suggestions/feedback welcome.
Hi--this is my first post. I hope these boards are still active; reading them and knowing I'm not alone has been comforting.
Dr. Keim did my scoliosis surgery 30 years ago this month, and for many years I've had no issues. I've always been active--running, walking, hiking, dancing--and had no pain whatsoever. But as soon as I hit my 45th birthday two months ago, the wheels started comin' off. After sitting for awhile, I experience lower back/hip pain, stiffness and sometimes tingles in my leg when I get up and walk. It's hard for me to straighten up after sitting, too. Exercise, monthly theraputic massage, a good mattress, and 'sensible' shoes help. So does adding an orthodic to one shoe, as one leg is shorter than the other. But I wonder...is it enough to just manage the pain and discomfort?
Despite the rod, I may be listing to the left again. I've seen in X-rays that my rod isn't in the same position it was 20-30 years ago, which is disturbing. Not sure what's up with that, and I hope it's not terribly dangerous. I'm still screwing up my courage to see a doctor--preferably Errico or Dryer. I live out of state now and nobody here has a clue about my condition.
I do NOT want to go through surgery again. But I also don't want to get myself in trouble by not directly addressing a potentially serious problem.
Thank you for listening. Suggestions/feedback welcome.
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