Spinal Fusion/ Harring Rods, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, Cervical and Osteoarthritis

I am 59 years old.  I had spinal fusion and harrington rods surgery in 1987 in the lumbar area for congenital scoliosis.  I also have osteoarthritis, cervical arthritis and fibromyalgia and sometimes severe headaches.  I have been reading the posts from the different people and I am sorry to say that I can relate to the unbearable pain.  The rods are collapsing in my spine and the arthritis and fibromyalgia combined with the spinal problems makes me experience so many problems beginning with the unbearable pain that I am always in.  I'm wondering if I am too old to have the rods removed, especially since I have high blood pressure and a few years ago I had some issues with my heart but that seems to be under control now.  I am on medication for the high blood pressure and heart disease. I have been going more frequently to physical therapy as well as aqua therapy resulting in only a little bit  of relief.  Sometimes the pain is so bad that I just cry. I can't sleep more than a few hours with all the pain in back, neck, back of my head and shoulders waking me up. I just wanted to know if anyone over 50 years old had their rods removed and if there was any improvement in the pain at all after the removal and/or if you were glad that you had the rods removed. I want relief DESPERATELY but do not want to spend the rest of my life medicated on drugs only to slightly benefit me with minimum or barely any relief or improvement with the pain. I think that sharing helps all of us who are going through this horrible experience. MAY GOD BLESS US AND HELP US ALL, BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH!!!

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

I am very sorry for the problems that you have faced and can understand the pain that you would be going through. Well, it would be very difficult for me to answer the question for you. Though age is not a factor for or for not undergoing surgeries, the associated comorbidities are; besides it cannot be ascertained without an evaluation, if a surgery would be beneficial in your case. It would be best to consult an orthopedician for an evaluation to the cause of pain and the mode of treatment that would suit you the best. Accordingly a management plan would be chalked out.
Hope this was helpful.

Take care!

[yvonnelugo]

Thank you for your response to my post.  Actually, I have two (2) Orthopaedic physicians  (1 of which did my original surgery in 1987).  I was basically interested in getting feedback and input from others that have already either had the surgery to remove the rods or have already considered it and was interested in hearing moreso from my age group or older.  I noticed in one or two previous posts that comments were from a couple or so people that had had the rods put in (like me) twenty or more years ago.  One person said that they regretted not having the rods removed when it was presented to him/her years ago and that now it was too late.  Also, someone posted that the harrington rods was what was causing some additional medical problems and concerns and that they were good back then but not good hardware to have in ones body now.........

[yvonnelugo]

would like to hear feedback and/or input from people that did end up having the harrington rods removed, please.
Thank you