Any Scoliosis/Harrington Rod patients/survivors out there?

Question

I have Scoliosis and had surgery 30 years ago. Is there anybody else out there that I could touch base with regarding their experience?

Answer 1

I have had Harrington rods in my back going on 24 years now. I had kyphosis which is the opposite of scoliosis. Mine go from my neck to my waist as they literally broke my back in 7 places to align things back up.
In the first 15 years i really never had any problems, i always did pretty much what i wanted, even heavy lifting, but as time passed own it does catch up with one. I am now 40 and have been on meds for over 4 years to help relieve the pain that i now go through daily.
I really don't know the questions that you have but i would be glad to share anything i could or any knowledge about it.
I actually had two surgeries in a little over 3 weeks and was in the hospital for 64 days in all. I also wore a milwalke brace prior to my surgery which did not help at all, and was very uncomfortable.
I suppose that each and everyones circumstances are different as we all live different lives. I will say that the surgery did indeed help my condition and made life more pleasant even with the constant pain that i endure today, it was still worth it. Send me a message anytime if there is something i can help with, use messenger as i never use my yahoo mail.

Answer 2

My son has Scoliosis and Sherman's Kiphosis. He had to wear a brace for a year. He was about 10 when it was first diagnosed. He had a 65 degree curvature and the Dr wanted to do surgery. I said no and they put him in this brace for 23 hours a day 7 days a week. The brace had a steel rods in front and back and and went all the way up to his chin. In 1 year his curvature reduced to 24 degrees and no longer needed surgery. Dr said he was so young that his bones were still pliable and the brace a success. He wanted my son to wear the brace about 12 hrs a day for another year but he wouldn't do it anymore. He is now 32 and he's still only slightly curved. You can't really tell unless you look directly at him and 1 shoulder is slightly lower than the other one. When he does work that requires him to lean forward his back hurts. But his is really doing ok. Hope you are well also.
jw

Answer 3

Mom had the experimental bone fusion done in 1946
It didn't work too well.. its been getting progressively worse over the years

I have scoliosis and wore a Milwaukee brace in 1972- degree of curves has progressed slightly over time

Answer 4

i have harrington rods. had since 1986.. . i till have to becareful what i do. sometime my back start aching. my back not curve as much. i till hunch my back i shouldn,t do it.