Long Term effects of Harrington Rods
By psycho74
@psycho74 (124)
United States
March 30, 2007 12:57pm CST
I was just wondering if anyone knows of any negative effects of keeping harrington rods in over time. I had surgery for scoliosis when I was 14 and had 2 rods put in. I was told I could get them taken out after I was 21, but that I didn't have to. I am 32, and I never took them out. I figured it would be better to not go through another back surgery if I didn't have to. But now as I'm getting older, I'm worried about health problems that may develop from either having my spine fused or keeping the rods in. If anyone could give me any insight on this, I would really appreciate it!!
2 responses
@Bigwavedave (1)
•
25 May
Get em out asap. Mine fractured from an innocent move. The pain is unrelenting. I mean pain so horrific it has no equal. I sob each morning during my 2-3 hour gauntlet to get out of bed. I'm not a crier but the pain comes out through tears. If your bones are strong enough, get the hardware out asap.
1 person likes this
@GoAskAlice (5812)
•
25 May
Hello and welcome to myLot, a site for original content written by you. The first thing you should do when you get a chance is to follow the link I have provided to read the site FAQ and Guideline pages so you can become familiar with them.
Links to earning information can also be found at the same place.
I hope you enjoy your time here.
1 person likes this
@SEC902 (1)
• United States
8 May 09
i am 50 years old. I HAD THE HARRINGTON ROD PUT IN WHEN I WAS 18 JUNE OF 1976. I NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE RODS. I FOUND OUT THE DAMAGE IS USUALLY ABOVE AND BELOW THE ROD. MY NECK STRAIGHTENED. I HAVE 2 DETERIORATED DISK ARTHRITIS AND BONE SPURS. THE 2 DISK WERE IN MY SPINAL CORD. I NOW HAVE A METAL PLATE WITH 6 SCREWS. BONE FROM THE SAME HIP TO HELP FUSE MY NECK. I HAVE 2 MORE DISC THEY COULDN'T DO BECAUSE IT WOULD CAUSE A DOMINO EFFECT IN THE REST. I WAS TOLD I WOULD GET ARTHRITIS AT AGE 28 & IN A WHEEL CHAIR BY 50. I HAVE THE ARTHRITIS NOW. IT CAUSE WEAKNESS DOWN MY LEFT SIDE. I ALSO HAVE NOW FAUCET DETERIORATION FROM L5-S1. I HAVE A DISC THAT SLIPPED BACKWARDS BETWEEN L4 & L5. I NOW HAVE SCOLIOSIS AGAIN BETWEEN L3-S1. IF I HAD TO DUE MY SCOLIOSIS SURGERY AGAIN I WOULD. I WAS CROOKED AND MY SHOULDER BLADE WAS STICKING OUT.
SEC902
@joygracia (1325)
• Philippines
17 Sep 09
wohh..thanks for sharing guys.. that only tells me that prevention is greater than cure. worst scenarios of scoliosis is a bit hard to imagine. From now on I will keep a good posture around my back. Hope you guys would be fine soon!!
