Anyone else here with scoliosis & a Harrington rod?

[SplshMtn99]

I'm 38 yrs old. When I was 13, I had surgery to have an 11" rod attached to my spine & spinal fusion with the hopes of straightening my scoliosis. The curve was straightened from 50 (ish) degrees to about 13 degrees ( I think ??). Pretty successful.

Life's been good. Really not many problems with my back considering. I visit a chiropractor about once a year for a check-up. I'm capable of re-aligning my own neck & hips with techniques they've shown me. I even ride roller coasters. Hey, I gave up ALOT. I wasn't giving up EVERYTHING! LOL

But in the past month or so, SEVERAL people have commented on how much my shoulder blade is now sticking out, and a hump in my back.

Anyone else here with scoliosis & a rod? How are you doing after all these years. The thought of having that surgery again -- and wearing another body cast for 6 months at THIS age scares me.

How do they treat such a thing today? Or do they just leave it alone. That would explain hunched over old folks.

My cousin has 2 rods & broke one. She chooses to live with it that way. Can't say I blame her.

 

[helenabear]

I have scoliosis but mine was never bad enough to put a rod in it. I hope someone can have some good advice for you though

 

[LuvN~Travel]

I'm not sure just what kind of rod my daughter has, but they rodded up 9 of her vertebrae. Her degree of curvature went from sixty degrees to about 19. Unfortunately, hers came upon her so early that her surgery had to be done at 8 years and now at 13 she is only 4'8" and hasn't grown for a year or so. She's definitely not happy with that!
Good luck with your back. Definitely get it seen about soon.
Kim

 

[SplshMtn99]

Unfortunately, hers came upon her so early that her surgery had to be done at 8 years and now at 13 she is only 4'8" and hasn't grown for a year or so.

Wow, she was young. Teen years were bad enough, but to add scoliosis to it.

I had to give up horseback riding, snowmobiling, gymnastics and gym class (contact sports)

Tell her I still ride Rock'N"Roller Coaster & Big Thunder. But not Space Mtn.

She must of had a body cast too, right? Had mine for 6 months. That was the WORST part --- as I was a freshman in high school. Mine was noticed by an aunt. (Runs in family.) This was before they starting screening in school.

With screening, how did hers get so bad?

If she wants to talk, I'll see what I can remember. LOL

 

[LuvN~Travel]

My daughter's Scoliosis wasn't caused by the usual thing. She has two other health problems that are part of a major birth defect. Hydrocephalus and Chiari Syndrome (where the brain can grow down into the spinal cord area). Unfortunately, they worked together against her when she was about 4/5 years of age. Way before the usual screening begins for kids. It was pretty advanced even before we discovered it.
She didn't have to wear a body brace though after her surgery. I reckon the surgeries are different now. Though she did have to spend a month out of school. (luckily it was in December, so she didn't miss as much as she could've)
Of course the docs never thought to tell us ahead of time that something like this could occur. However, we are part of an online support group for craniofacial disorders like hers, so I've made it a cause of mine to let the other parents know what can happen. We've actually had several other kids diagnosed with this, and luckily with forewarning they've been able to 'catch' their kids' problems earlier on.
Here's hoping you have a great holiday!
KIm

 

[SplshMtn99]

Kim, support groups are great things. Good stuff you are doing there by informing others of what to watch for. Really too bad however that no one could have told you guys before.

Hope your family has a happy holiday.