Guest guest Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 Dear Jodi, The hooks on my Harrington rod became unhooked many years before my revision, the bottom one first after my first pregnancy, and the second top one, a couple of years later, I believe it's not uncommon. Many have wires, I didn't. I have my whole rod that was removed from me in 2000, I could try taking a picture of it, and post it. You might try googling Harrington rods, what they look like and maybe you can get a picture. Do you see a hook in the x-rays near the top of your rod, that just isn't connected? I'm glad mine is in a bag and no longer in me! [ ] Top of Harrington rod I have an appointment end of this month with an orthopedic surgeon who I'm convinced will diagnose me with flatback syndrome. I had a series of x-rays taken this week and last week that I need to bring to my appointment. On a few of the x-rays the top of the Harrington rod does not look like it's attached to anything. There's two definite attachments a little lower, but nothing from about an inch or two down from the top. Also looks like there's a small curly wire or something like that near the end of the top of the rod. Does this make sense? Anyone know where I can find a good picture of a complete Harrington rod showing all of the connections? Appreciate your help with this. Thank you. Jodi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 , Thanks for the response. I tried googling Harrington rod before posting my question, couldn't find a picture of what I was looking for. I have six hooks and two defined connections to the rod. Top of rod to about two inches down does not have a connection, but looks like a broken wire. Also very top of hook does not have any type of cap on it so you can see where it looks like it should have something at the top of it. I think that's how it's supposed to look though. First connection to rod and first hook is about two inches down from the top. How long after your Harrington rod surgery did you have it removed? I had my surgery in March 1978. Isn't it more complicated to remove the rod after so long? I have lots of questions for my appointment the end of this month. My mother had a very severe case of scoliosis that was never treated properly. Compromised her breathing capacity which resulted in her being on oxygen and having congestive heart failure several times. Definitely was a contributing factor to her death. I chose the National Scoliosis Foundation as the organization for people to make donations to in lieu of flowers. Jodi [ ] Top of Harrington rod I have an appointment end of this month with an orthopedic surgeon who I'm convinced will diagnose me with flatback syndrome. I had a series of x-rays taken this week and last week that I need to bring to my appointment. On a few of the x-rays the top of the Harrington rod does not look like it's attached to anything. There's two definite attachments a little lower, but nothing from about an inch or two down from the top. Also looks like there's a small curly wire or something like that near the end of the top of the rod. Does this make sense? Anyone know where I can find a good picture of a complete Harrington rod showing all of the connections? Appreciate your help with this. Thank you. Jodi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 Dear Jodi, I just had two hooks on mine, one very near the top and another at the bottom. The length of my rod was about ten inches, though I was quoted 14 after the intial Harrington Rod surgery. My hooks are just hooks, no capping. I think you'd have metal artifacts besides the hooks if you had more than that. Also the rod itself has what I call ratcheting points, like a car jack, I'm just guessing but maybe, and this is just a wild ass guess, but maybe your one hook maybe had movement down the rod, but probably that is where they just placed it. I had my Harrington Rod placed in 1973 at UCSF, found out one hook was detached from the spine in 1984, as I had pain issues( pain running down my right leg) and the second hook in 1986 also cut out. I had my Harrington Rod removed in 2000, in a decompression/lami surgery hoping to buy me some years until I had to be fused to the sacrum. I only got a year till I had revision in 2002, twice in that year. My rod, maybe cause it cut out so early on according to my surgical reports wasn't hard to remove. Many here had rods that were deeply embedded in bone. Many also have only a portion of their rods removed, and they hang the new hardware( during revision) from that. Kumar said getting my first revision hardware out 11 months after, was way tougher than getting my Harrington rod out, go figure. I'm sorry your Mom was sooooo undertreated. I talk to a lot of Kumar's patients with very large curves, and with quite a bit of age on them, only now having their first surgeries, because back in the good old days they thought a shoe lift did the trick, or a visit to a good seamstress to keep those skirts even, makes my head hurt. Thank whoever you thank, that we now have these wonderful doc's sooooo dedicated to getting us to the best place we can be spine and pain wise, I'm forever indebted to Dr's Kumar and O'Brien who worked so hard on me, all three surgeries, and got me to my excellent outcome. I wish you much luck while traveling through this battle! Colorado Springs [ ] Top of Harrington rod I have an appointment end of this month with an orthopedic surgeon who I'm convinced will diagnose me with flatback syndrome. I had a series of x-rays taken this week and last week that I need to bring to my appointment. On a few of the x-rays the top of the Harrington rod does not look like it's attached to anything. There's two definite attachments a little lower, but nothing from about an inch or two down from the top. Also looks like there's a small curly wire or something like that near the end of the top of the rod. Does this make sense? Anyone know where I can find a good picture of a complete Harrington rod showing all of the connections? Appreciate your help with this. Thank you. Jodi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 Hi Jodi. I had the top inch or so removed in about 1980, and it had a hook attached to it. I'm guessing that there was something else holding it on in that vicinity. Not sure if this is relevant or helpful. Jeri > > I have an appointment end of this month with an orthopedic surgeon who I'm convinced will diagnose me with flatback syndrome. I had a series of x-rays taken this week and last week that I need to bring to my appointment. > > On a few of the x-rays the top of the Harrington rod does not look like it's attached to anything. There's two definite attachments a little lower, but nothing from about an inch or two down from the top. Also looks like there's a small curly wire or something like that near the end of the top of the rod. Does this make sense? Anyone know where I can find a good picture of a complete Harrington rod showing all of the connections? > > Appreciate your help with this. Thank you. > > Jodi > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 Hi Jodi, If you go to our photos section you can see a variety of before and after xrays. A number of them show the old HR, which I believe usually just had one hook at the top, and then one at the bottom. I think the shot of Arlenes shows a hook right at the top...(mine was a little further down but this photo is cut off at the top...sorry!). My surgeon (Rand) will leave the old rod in if the fusion looks good and the rod and all seems okay. Then he cuts the old rod off down at the bottom where he needs to work and attaches new implants to the old. Getting the old rod out does take time and therefore creates some additional risks, I suppose. Every surgeon is different though...as is each patient. I was glad to leave well enough alone and so far the technique has worked for me. You never did say what part of the country you are in...and who/when you see for your consult. Let us know and I will put it on the calendar so we all can remember to ask how it went! Take Care, Cam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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