Flatback Syndrome Causing Hardware to Nearly Pertrude Through Skin

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone,

I want to first apologize for not participating more often, but my condition has

worsened greatly in the last few months, so it is very difficult to sit & read

the posts then sit & respond. Currently, my family is without insurance until

May 1st and we have been since January 15th. In that time, the curvature of my

spine has increased so much that the screws holding the herrington rods in place

are trying to break through the skin in 4 places. I am terrified and was hoping

that someone would provide words of encouragement, a similar story, or let me

know what to expect. The hardware is pushing on the skin so hard that the skin

is paper thin, bruised, and is going to allow the hardware to break through any

day. Does anyone know how painful this will be? Has this happened to anyone?

If so, what did the doctor's do to correct it? I can handle honesty, so please

feel free to elaborate if you have been through the same situation. If you do

not feel comfortable posting to the group about such a graphic subject, please

email me directly at ecstaticmommy2009@.... Thanks so much for the

continued support and I am here if anyone ever has any questions for me.

God Bless,

Paige

[Guest guest]

Paige, I am so sorry for what you are going through and can only imagine your fear and pain. I have no experience with your problem with hardware but I can tell you that I believe you should call a couple of the specialists spoken about on this forum and tell them what is happening to you. I realize you have a serious insurance problem, but in an emergency situation perhaps one of these surgeons would be willing to see you now to assess your condition. I hope you are able to find help soon, I know the others here will have very helpful suggestions. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Jeanne From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of PaigeSent: Thursday, March 31, 2011 8:41 AM Subject: Flatback Syndrome Causing Hardware to Nearly Pertrude Through Skin Hello Everyone,I want to first apologize for not participating more often, but my condition has worsened greatly in the last few months, so it is very difficult to sit & read the posts then sit & respond. Currently, my family is without insurance until May 1st and we have been since January 15th. In that time, the curvature of my spine has increased so much that the screws holding the herrington rods in place are trying to break through the skin in 4 places. I am terrified and was hoping that someone would provide words of encouragement, a similar story, or let me know what to expect. The hardware is pushing on the skin so hard that the skin is paper thin, bruised, and is going to allow the hardware to break through any day. Does anyone know how painful this will be? Has this happened to anyone? If so, what did the doctor's do to correct it? I can handle honesty, so please feel free to elaborate if you have been through the same situation. If you do not feel comfortable posting to the group about such a graphic subject, please email me directly at ecstaticmommy2009@.... Thanks so much for the continued support and I am here if anyone ever has any questions for me.God Bless,Paige

[Guest guest]

Hi, Paige.

I'm so sorry you are having this problem. I haven't had screws wanting to pop out of my back, but I have had the end of my Harrington rod do the same. The lower end of the rod came loose in 2002 as a result of a reaalllllly bad fall that I took. Since then, I've developed kyphosis in that area which led to the lower end of the rod wanting to poke out of my skin. This is a really serious situation.

I had part of the rod surgically removed because the area where the rod was protruding was extremely sore and red, and was only going to get worse. I agree with the other person who posted who suggested that you contact a knowledgeable surgeon who might be willing to treat you pro bono on an emergency basis. The last thing you want is the hardware coming through your skin. Please make some calls; I can't believe a caring surgeon would not treat you.

Good luck to you. Please let the group know how you are doing. My prayers are with you.

Pat

[Guest guest]

Paige --

I am so terribly sorry to hear about your frightening situation. I hope you have

been able to get some skilled medical help by now.

>

> Hello Everyone,

> I want to first apologize for not participating more often, but my condition

has worsened greatly in the last few months, so it is very difficult to sit &

read the posts then sit & respond. Currently, my family is without insurance

until May 1st and we have been since January 15th. In that time, the curvature

of my spine has increased so much that the screws holding the herrington rods in

place are trying to break through the skin in 4 places. I am terrified and was

hoping that someone would provide words of encouragement, a similar story, or

let me know what to expect. The hardware is pushing on the skin so hard that

the skin is paper thin, bruised, and is going to allow the hardware to break

through any day. Does anyone know how painful this will be? Has this happened

to anyone? If so, what did the doctor's do to correct it? I can handle

honesty, so please feel free to elaborate if you have been through the same

situation. If you do not feel comfortable posting to the group about such a

graphic subject, please email me directly at ecstaticmommy2009@... Thanks so

much for the continued support and I am here if anyone ever has any questions

for me.

> God Bless,

> Paige

>