GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS........

[Guest guest]

I picked up my 1 year CT results and the good news is all of the new

hardware looks good but the remaining half of the old rod I quote " does

not appear to be fixed to the thoracic spine " which I'm guessing may be

the cause of the pain I'm having in that area!I don't see my surgeon

until 7/24 for my check up and guess I'll find out more then.....Donna

[Guest guest]

Donna,

That sounds a little scary...but hopefully the " fix " will be very

straightforward.

I can't remember if your new fusion is attached to your old hardware

or if it was just left in place? I hope that the next few weeks won't

be too long waiting to see what the doctor thinks. We will all be

looking for an update just as soon as you have your appt.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Dear Donna,

Wow, would be interesting to hear what they mean by fixed. The top hook on my Harrington rod" cut out" meaning came unhooked about 11 years after my original Harrington Rod surgery, or at least thats when I became painful, could have happened earlier, as I got no follow up after that surgery except the one year post op visit. I'm wondering, did your surgeon say your rod was incased in bone during your revision? Some doc's prefer to leave the Harringtons in and not mess with the Thorasic, leave well enough alone. Did he say anything to you about the rod after your revision. I had mine out completely during my decompression surgery, have it in a bag at home, makes for interesting discussions. Will be interesting to hear what plan B will be for you. Let us know how the visit goes!

Colorado Springs

[ ] GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS........

I picked up my 1 year CT results and the good news is all of the new hardware looks good but the remaining half of the old rod I quote "does not appear to be fixed to the thoracic spine" which I'm guessing may be the cause of the pain I'm having in that area!I don't see my surgeon until 7/24 for my check up and guess I'll find out more then.....Donna

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna, Cam,

Could it be that the old hardware was left there just because it was easier to do that than take it out, but they didn't need it so they just sort of disregarded it in the revision? In which case it would not be attached to anything on purpose?

Good luck with this.

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Bonnie,

Lets hope so!

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

He sawed off the lower half of the old rod only and no the new stuff is

not attached to it.All I know is I have pretty severe pain between my

scapula and below the right scapula as well as my right armpit and at

times extending to the elbow.Also sometimes if I move a certain way it

is like a stabbing pain and I cannot sleep on my right side some nights-

all of this has been getting progressively worse the past several

months which makes me wonder if the remaining piece of the old rod has

worked itself loose......Donna

>

> Donna,

>

> That sounds a little scary...but hopefully the " fix " will be very

> straightforward.

>

> I can't remember if your new fusion is attached to your old hardware

> or if it was just left in place? I hope that the next few weeks

won't

> be too long waiting to see what the doctor thinks. We will all be

> looking for an update just as soon as you have your appt.

>

> Take Care, Cam

>

[Guest guest]

Donna,

Not here, but on other scoli websites I have read of dislodged rods

migrating all over the place....including very low in the buttocks! I

will not be surprised if you learn that is at least on potential

source of your current pain and your surgeon elects to remove it.

Generally I have read that surgery is not too terrible, at least as

compared to revision.

I hope you get some answers soon.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

[Guest guest]

HI Cam, Donna,

I am curious as to how an old rod would get dislodged. It took Dr. Boachie over an hour to take out my old Harrington rod. It had been there for 20 years and was deeply imbedded in fused bone and muscle. I think they had to use something somewhat like a hammer and chisel to get rid of it. I can easily understand how a new rod would become dislodged where the fusion hasn't solidified yet and muscle hasn't lodged around it, but how could an old rod get dislodged?

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Bonnie,

As I understand it, not everyones rod becomes encased in bone as yours

(and mine) did. The old rods were only attached at two spots, top and

bottom, so if the hooks broke or moved the rod could move. I don't

think a rod would have to go too far out of place to potentially

irritate nerves or muscles. I think it is also possible that the

separation/break can happen fairly early in the game...so it could move

well before further bone grew in also. It doesn't seem uncommon to hear

of folks who have known about a broken or unhooked rod that is left in

place, as long as it isn't causing any trouble.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Cam, ,

I think you're both saying what I suspected: that if the rod becomes displaced, it most likely happens pretty early, before the fusion is fully solid, possibly sometime before the 18 month mark, maybe two years. And I have no doubts that a displaced rod would not have to move very far at all to cause all sorts of pain issues.

I had the same follow-up experiences after my Harrington Rod surgery as you did, . I saw Dr. Keim at 6 months post op, then at one year, and at that time I was considered "cured". I didn't see anyone for back problems until Flatback symptoms started 15 years later. However, after revision surgery, I saw Dr, Boachie at 3 months, 6 months and one year post op, and then once each year until the seven year mark. I think the seven year span had something to do with the follow-up study that was being done at that time, that long questionnaire I filled out every year. I think it was being done at several hospitals.

Bonnie