Guest guest Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Hi Pat, My fusion was from T1 to L5, but I had the same problem a few years ago. I had the tops of both my rods, about 2 inches- and a bunch of screws and hooks- removed. The problem was totally solved, plus I had more movement in my arms that I had not expected. Just the ability to reach for things that felt much less constricted. That surgery didn't cause me any problems. Good luck. My surgery was around 8 years ago, so ideas may've changed. Bea " p.nichol " <p.nichol@...> wrote: Hi- Had fusion T4 to sacrum 4 yrs ago and now have stabbing pain just around the top part of the upper rt. rod. I want to get about the top 4 inches removed along with the hook and wires. The spine surgeon I saw wants to remove about half of the upper rt. rod.(down to my waist) Does anyone know if this is the accepted way to deal with this problem. Will it cause an imbalance in forces on the upper spine whenever I lift something or bend over to pick up something? I am aware from this group that total hardware removal may cause the upper spine to collapse in patients with long fusions to the sacrum. But I have never seen anything on this group about removal of half of a rod. Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Hi Pat... It probably won't make any difference how much of the rod is removed. If you have an area of non-fusion, rod removal may allow your spine to re-curve. If you don't have any area of non-fusion, than the implants are essentially extraneous. -- > > Hi- > > Had fusion T4 to sacrum 4 yrs ago and now have stabbing pain just > around the top part of the upper rt. rod. I want to get about the top > 4 inches removed along with the hook and wires. The spine surgeon I > saw wants to remove about half of the upper rt. rod.(down to my waist) > Does anyone know if this is the accepted way to deal with this > problem. Will it cause an imbalance in forces on the upper spine > whenever I lift something or bend over to pick up something? I am > aware from this group that total hardware removal may cause the upper > spine to collapse in patients with long fusions to the sacrum. But I > have never seen anything on this group about removal of half of a rod. > > Pat > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Christie, Welcome to the group, sorry you find yourself having problems, but we are here to support! Lets hope a partial hardware removal will help with your pain in your shoulder region. What levels are fused on you? They just propose clipping your rods during surgery, nothing else? Is your pain localized just to that area? Do you have any low back pain or pain in your hips or legs? Do you feel your forward lean is at your neck? We have a few gals from your neck of the wood out there in Oklahoma, both of them that had surgery went out of state, and had surgery with Dr. Bridwell in St. Louis. I'm just guessing, that if your pain is localized to just your upper thorasic, and is rod induced, getting the rod's clipped and see if things resolve would be a step. I'd also like to encourage you to seek out an opinion of a doc who frequently deals with post Harrington Rod spines, alas many will have to go out of state. In your region of the country, some names spoken about here are, Dr. LaGrone, Amarillo TX, Dr's Bridwell and Lenke, St. Louis Mo, and my surgeon Dr. Kumar, Lonetree CO. I've read that some thinner people do have more issues with feeling their hardware, alas I'm on the chunky side and it hasn't been a real issue for me, I'm aware of my hardware, but it doesn't jet out anywhere or cause me pain. Did either of these doc's bring up Flatback at all with you? How far do you feel you are leaning forward? Do you feel your head is centered over your pelvis? I only ask because if you feel you are cast forward, it would be very good for you to be evaluated by a doc who deal in Post Harrington Rod spines frequently. Some of the gals in our group have had their Harrington's clipped off during revision surgery( fusion to the sacrum), but the lower half. I had my Harrington removed during my decompression surgery, have it in a bag at home, makes for a great conversation piece. Probably someone else may have had the top of theirs clipped, hopefully someone will chime in if they did. I guess it's might be worth a try, but I might get another opinion. How long did they say the surgery would be, and time in the hospital. Did they have a plan B if your pain didn't resolve after clipping off your rod's, and if they did, what was it? Look forward to hearing more from you, and again welcome! Colorado Springs [ ] Partial rod removal HelloI'm new to this group, as I have just been recommended to have a partial rod removal of my Harrington Rods.I had surgery in 1993 for 3 curves - 59 degrees between my shoulders, 50 degrees, and 29 degrees. I have two rods installed in Dallas. One is higher on the left side to pull down my left shoulder.Now, I have gotten older (29) and I'm experiencing a lot of neck pain and shoulder pain - unbearable at times. I find I lean forward alot and never realized it was a symptom. It has been recommended by my original surgeon and my new Tulsa surgeon to remove about 1.5-2 inches of the rods that is protruding from my neck.Has anyone else had this done? I have read a lot online that this has been more common - the protruding - in people who have lost a lot of weight or who are smaller. I have lost 70 pounds over all, but 20 since my original surgery weight.Just looking for others who have been through this.Christie - Tulsa, OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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