need opinion

[mema46]

I had harrington rods implanted for scoliosis from the 5T to 3L 16 yrs. ago.
For the past 5 yrs I have been getting worse from the pain in my lower back and down into my legs. I can't stand for over 2 or 3 mins. nor can I walk more than 30 ft. without excruciating pain
I've been to pain managment and had epidurals, RF nerve ablation and pain meds to no avail.
I've been to several Dr's over the past 5 years. One said he could go through the front and back with surgery and I would be rehabing for about a year. One said he was up to the challenge If I was. Neither sounded very sure they could help me. when I went back to the 2nd dr for advice and asked him if he thought surgery was right for me he suggested for me to get a second opinion from head of neurosurgery in a big hospital.

I am so confused and anxious, I don't know what to do. Please give me your opinions.

[HappyWanda]

Would like to talk to you sometime.  49 years ago I had two Harrington Rods (end to end) inserted to support my spinal fusion from bone grafting from my right hip.  Dr's said rod could stay in unless it bothered me.  Starting 20 years ago pain started to grow worse every year..until I ended up with stenosis, DDD, sciatica, bone spurs and right leg going numb.  After a ton of research I found Bonati Spine Institute (Hudson Florida) a minimally invasive hospital.  Four surgeries later and still pain getting worse.  So Oct 29/14 Dr Bonati is removing my rods! Feels rod reinjuring my L3/4. Bonati commented that 25 years ago he put the rods in and now removes them! Will let you know how it went.  Wanda

[thorbie]

I had two harrington rods implanted in 1980 after spinal fusion and a laminectomy. I had another laminectomy and discetomy in 1982. I did well for about 3 years then I started having problems with pain. I had the original surgeries at a major teaching hospital; I returned to the neurosurgeon who did the first two surgeries who told me he thought it best to remove the harrington rods. He told me that Harrington rods were the best hardware to use at the time of my surgery but over the years he said they have proved to be a major problem. I opted not to have them removed at that time due to career issues and I just couldnt take the time to have the surgery and recover. That was a major mistake. Over the following years my pain problems increased drastically. I finally returned to a doctor, this time I went to "The Miami Project" at the Un of Miami school of medicine. I saw a Dr Green who told me the rods had caused a lot of spinal damage. I currently have 5 herniated disc's, severe stenosis at both the cervical and lumbar levels as well as extensive osteoarthritis and of course degenerative disc disease. He told me that removal of the rods at this point would be risky. He said the risk was so high that he suggested I not have the surgery. As a result I was forced to stop working and go on disability. Ive been on narcotic therapy for the chronic pain for almost 15 years now. Of course all the narcotics in the world dont kill all the pain, the best I hope for is a tolerable pain level. I cant walk more then about 50 ft, I cant stand for any length of time nor can I lie flat. Im forced to use my wheelchair or scooter when I need to go shopping, to the doctor etc. I made a huge mistake by not having my rods removed when I had the chance. Spinal surgery has improved greatly since I had my surgeries in the early 1980s but of course they still carry risks. The question to ask your doctor is if the risks outweigh the benefits. Best of luck.

[lugin]

Did they diagnose you with degenerative disc disease? I also have Harrington rods for scoliosis, and even though I am only 26, I already have DDD in the vertebrae below where my rods are b/c it is taking all the heat from day to day activities.  I know that operations to have disks replaced are advancing and are better than ever.

Hope you feel better!