Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Harrington rod removal

Hi,

I was hoping someone could give me advice on my situation.  I am 26, and I had 2 Harrington rods placed 14 years ago.  I now have seromas on both sides of my spine, and the neurosurgeon thinks the instrumentation may be causing the cysts.  He has recommended that the rods come out and says that recovery b4 returning to work should be apx. 2 weeks.

Has anyone had rods removed before who could share their experience post- removal?  ex- hospital stay, pain, recovery time.  Has anyone else developed serum filled cysts many years after Harrington rod placement?

Thank you to anyone who can help.


This discussion is related to Spinal pain 30 years after Harrington rod surgery for scoliosis and MRI results.
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
7841528 tn?1416506314
Hey! I am looking to have my Harrington Rods removed and was wondering if you would mind sharing your doctors name and info please?

History:
age 17- 4/21/03 - Harrington Rods placed from T2-L1
age 26 - 7/10/12 - Microdiscectomy for disc herniation at L2/3
age 26 - 1/16/13 - Extension of Rods to L3 to "correct disc height loss and lumbar curve" - failed

Since the last surgery I have been diagnosed with Dystonia, a movement disorder, from spinal trauma.

Now new doctor sees that L4 is pushing backwards, starting to herniate. He wants to bone graft all discs that failed to fuse in this last sx (L1-L3) and add on L4. Then go back in a few days later to replace the extended hardware with a longer piece to include L4.

I do not agree with this and am going crazy being in this much pain and unable to work. I have been going back to the Chiropractor and am able to cope with the pain using natural home remedies. I opt not for pills any longer since I am a recovering addict because I have been in constant pain for 10 years now. Knowing what I do about the spine, removing the hardware seems to be the right choice, to get back to the starting line. I really appreciate you taking the tie to read this and would love to hear from you!

If you would like to see my x-rays and see what Dystonia intails visit these links:
Stay Far Away From Spinal Fusions:   http://goo.gl/ayqvUI
How Dystonia and I Became Close:   http://goo.gl/Lu4OxZ
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just read that you had your rods removed.  I was wondering what lead you to have them removed.  My daughter is 17 and had rods put in 2 1/2 yrs ago.   A couple months ago she started experiencing alot of back pain.  Have been back to the surgeon and to pain mgmt.   Her lower back has arthritis and is getting damage from all the stress being put on it.  There was discussion of possibly removing the rods or extending the rods.  Nobody seems to know what is the best way to solve the pain.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Just had my Harrington rods removed two weeks ago and feeling good.  Stayed only 3 days in the Hospital, pain was far less then when they were inserted 6 years ago (scale about a 7 a couple of days then went down to a 4), and I was ready to go back to work in 2 weeks but still waiting on my doctor to give my employer my medical release to work.

Hope this helps if you have any further ?'s let me know.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
SO IS YOUR CHRONIC PAIN GONE ? WHAT DID THEY REPLACE THEM WITH ?
Avatar universal
have you any info about "screw" removal from harrington rod? lots of pain, deteriorating quality of life; advised to have screw removed. Outcome?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
I have rods L-4 L-5 14yrs and also need info on removal. Pain has stopped me in my tracks and want releif.
my quality of life and heath good.
Need answers also
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
Hi...I saw other posts regarding the harrinton rods...one was in the degenerative diseases forum, the other in back and neck forum.

I see u also posted in the expert forum....u should get some answers.

Good luck
Godspeed
"selma"
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease