I have chronic body pain years after scoliosis surgery

I like your attitude towards yourself but please have sympathy for others. A lot of us have put up with this longer than you and maybe in more pain than you. I often think what it would have been like without surgery and I count my blessings. I am 54 years old and had the first surgery in 1977. I have had 10 surgeries and now have a pain pump with morphine, which is barely taking the edge off. Always count your blessings. That is the only way to keep your head above ground. But please have empathy for others, you may feel different in 10-20 years. Some of us just need to let off steam to those who understand instead of continuing to bother our family and friends.

I understand everyone’s pain here. I am 32 years old and has spinal fusion (T4-L4) w/ harrington rods done when I was 9 yo. I’ve had back pain my whole life ( I wore a brace from the time I was an infant until I got the surgeries done). Although I was always able to deal with it. I was vehenemently against pain pills for the longest time but finally gave in about a year ago when nothing else worked and the pain keeps getting worse. They work, but only for about 2 hours at a time. I have never in my life experienced a time w/out any pain. I have chalked it up to the fact that that is life. It’s weird to think that some people actually feel good. I cannot find a doctor to actually help alleviate any of this pain. My hips are misaligned so they hurt whenever I walk, i have developed arthritis in my neck due to the overcompensation of having my back fused. My upper back and shoulders are hard as a rock and are constantly burning and knotted up. If anyone has any suggestions I would be very grateful. I can’t even take my 6 yo for a walk b/c within moments I am in excruciating pain. It is so hard to tell her that we have to go back b/c mommy hurts.

I think it's safe to say that we all have pain that stems either directly or indirectly from our scoliosis surgery . I also think it's safe to say that everyone feels that pain differently due to their levels of pain tolerance. For someone to say I need to toughen up and then goes on to say, I should be grateful for the years without pain makes me angry! So you telling us to "harden up" is the same as saying,a third degree chemical burn is a suntan!! You have not had the same surgeries I have had(2 Thoracic surgeries,1 to put the herrington rod in at the age of 12yr, 1 to have that same herrington rod removed at 25yr),2 neck opps,a lower lumbar op with 1cage,2 rods and 6 screws for a collapsed disc and many more!Being able to connect with each other ( the only people who can relate to our own pain)is what this site is for!!
I already have enough people telling me to "suck it up"or saying," c'mon U can't bein that much pain ,you're just using the word pain as an excuse to be lazy"!! The truth is that they don't know the pain I am in !! I'm not lazy! I do try to do everything I can on my own! I know that I am Blessed I am grateful, but for you to point your finger at someone in judgment believing them to be weak is not about my lack of strength, it's about your lack of character. I will pray for you!
To everyone else...my prayers are always with you

Holly,I'm sorry, I am not replying to your comment, I am replying to Melina H!!! ☺

When my daughter was 13 yrs old she had Scoliosis surgery. 18 months later she developed a life threatening infection. She ended up having to be reopened every other day for cleanings and eventually after 8 surgeries they removed the rods and screws as the infection was spreading. Almost 3 yrs later, she lives in constant pain; her shoulders and hips are always in pain. We have tried everything and I don't know what to do for her anymore. She is beyond strong but I see how much continual pain she lives in. I wish daily she never had the initial surgery.

Sorry, how do they lose 15 years of life?

This has been a study you can find. Rods tsken out after 20 years have started to corrode so life term is less. Had harrington rods inserted 50 years ago in Australia.

Put a comment back here when you have had the rods in another 25years i think you may know where others are.coming from as right now you have no idea.

Bless you my heart goes out for you really hope things improve.

This is EXACTLY the same pain as I feel across my shoulder blades. Im intrigued to know what your conclusion was?

I have read about everyone with the pain from post scoliosis surgery. My husband had surgery 5 years ago. The pain has been constant for the past few years. We have tried pain management with all types of procedures, none of which worked. I am trying to find other avenues. I don't even know where to begin. It is very frustrating to see this pain and not be able to find someone to help. If anyone has any suggestions please post so that we could look into them. I did hear of a person doing yoga for the pain. Thank you for your help and support.

I don't know where you get your information, but I had my first scoliosis surgery at 22. My second at the age of 38. Performed by the top surgeon at Barnes in St. Louis, MO. I will live to be in my "early 70's or 80's, such as a normal woman is supposed to do, barring any other complications. You do not lose 15 years from having scoliosis surgery.

I will tell you what has helped me. I had a spinal fusion with Harrington rod in 1974. I couldn't turn my neck normally again until I saw a chiropractor 6 years later. Chiropractic has helped me tremendously. Don't go to just any chiropractor. Get a referral from family or friends and ask if the doctor treats post-scoliosis patients with fusions and rods. I have also utilized physical therapy, including stretching, exercises, cupping (like they use on swimmers and other athletes), and muscle stim and heat. Heat has helped so much, as has massage. I also take the herb, turmeric, 1500 mg. (2-750 mg. capsules) of extra strength turmeric, with 95% curcuminoids, and Bioperine (black pepper extract), which greatly aids in absorption. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory, a COX-2 inhibitor, like ibuprofen and related medications. If the pain is extra bad, I will take Mobic (meloxicam), a prescription anti-inflammatory. I do not take any narcotics. I go to a pain management doctor, physical therapy, and the chiropractor. Although I used to be a nurse, I prefer more natural treatments. I also try to eat healthy, low sugar, lots of fruits and vegetables, and adequate protein. Extra weight contributes to the pain. I also take 2000 mg. of omega fatty acids fish oil, which helps to decrease inflammation. There are pain management doctors who do epidural steroid injections into the spine to help with the pain. Also, they can use a laser to burn smaller nerves in the spine, so you don't feel the pain. Both of those treatments usually need to be repeated, as nerves will regenerate. I have chosen not to have either of those done at this point, but know that they are available. I would definitely want to be sedated for them, should I ever go that route. They give you a choice, sedation or no sedation. I have also had my heavy metal levels checked (find out what kind of metals are in your husband's rods) because there can be corrosion with the older Harrington rods. I found out that my rod consists of chromium and nickel. My levels of those are normal in both serum (blood) and hair testing. I have had my fusion and rod for 43 years now. Besides the osteoarthritis, which I was told I would have, I also have bulging and herniated discs, degenerative disc disease (above and below the rod), and spinal stenosis. I hope this information is helpful to you. I pray that your husband starts improving soon.

Consider that chronic pain, inflammation and disc problems result from underlying postural misalignments and in most cases are something you can correct yourself with the guidance of a trained posture alignment corrective exercise therapist. See ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use for more information about this. I have treated patients with rods and even rod replacements with great success. They are no longer on pain meds.

If you wish to contact me, I will be happy to put you in touch with a client who has had harrington rods and rods subsequently replaced, severe chronic pain until she was able to recognize that her posture was causing overcompensation throughout her body. She learned corrective exercises to restore good posture and is out of pain. Contact me and I'll put you in touch with her. ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use