Has anyone had a spinal fusion without removal of their Harrington rod?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I have severe scoliosis and 50 yrs ago had a Harrington Rod implanted. I've developed a herniated disc and other complications. My surgeon is going to do a spinal fusion without removing my rod. Wondering if anyone has had this done.

2

Hi Nelly, Having seen your posts on here twice, I looked up Harrington rod, and ended up on a site with lots of questions from people that have had the same surgery as you.

From what I can gather, the discs are removed when a Harrington rod is put in, and the spine is fused with pelvic bone that as you get older puts strain on the discs above and below the rod. I have mild scoliosis in my thoracic spine, didn’t know I had until my pain dr tried to put in the leads for a spinal stimulator.It never bothered me, but now I’m older I have arthritis in my spine. So presumably when you had your rod put in, you had your spine fused at the same time, and this is causing pain below the rod.

My spine was fused with only pelvic bone, which now grows to the left hand side, and cannot be removed.

Is your movement greatly restricted? If the fusion is in a different area, it should stop that level from causing you more pain.

You might be better looking for a Facebook group or a google group, whose members have your problem. I’m sure there must be other people with scoliosis, who further down the line have more pain and have had fusions, just a thought....

3

Thanks Laura. My docter was going to remove the rod, but it would be a 2 day surgery. On speaking to other docters he decided to leave it in and just fuse the back over it. I'm glad since I'm sure the complications are so much greater if he were to remove it. I was just wondering if anyone had it done, I haven't heard of it. I Googled for this topic but couldn't fine anything. Will keep searching.

4

I think you’re  being wise leaving it in. From what I read, the rod is partially encased in bone, and getting bone that has grown over the years off your spine enough to remove the rod, would be a huge operation. It would be awful if you were made worse.

I hope your fusion, if you decide to go ahead helps you.. We’ve not been dealt an easy hand have we? If I can find anything online I’ll message you.

5

It's scheduled for October. My docter only deals with adult scoliosis and spinal deformities. He performers these quite often so I believe I'm I good hands.