[carkees]

Scoliosis.

The Harrington implant (or Harrington rod) is a stainless steel surgical device. Historically, this rod was implanted along the spinal column to treat, among other conditions, a lateral or coronal-plane curvature of the spine, or scoliosis. Up to one million people had Harrington rods implanted for scoliosis between the early 1960s and the late 1990s. The Harrington rod eventually became obsolete as newer, more effective types of spinal instrumentation were developed, such as XLIF (eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion).


PA chest radiograph in a patient with severe congenital scoliosis who underwent orthotopic heart transplant. She underwent placement of a Harrington rod to prevent further progression of her scoliosis.

[GlassToTheArson]

Jeeze, it's incredible how warped the spine can get.

[Sharon]

Cool images Although now obsolete, that prop-you-up rod was as good as it got then and has led on to the more complex op availeable now.

[Faline]

Here's some more pics of it being performed
http://www.documentingreality.com/fo...urgery-118656/

[peterdragon]

My father is a Chiropractor and graduated from Palmer College in Davenport Iowa. The college has several specimens in the library and throughout the campus of some REALLY messed up spinal deformations. Worth a visit if near there.

[vamptay]

I have scoliosis. So does my sister, she had it worse though, has one rod and over a 1000 screws in her spine along with 20 metal plates. I have a 15.9 degree curve and she had a 78.9 double S curve with her spine curving down at the top. Was pretty bad had 4 back surgeries. It still hurts her everyday though, mine causes me mild discomfort but makes my pregnancy really painful.

[carkees]

Originally Posted by vamptay ↗

I have scoliosis. So does my sister, she had it worse though, has one rod and over a 1000 screws in her spine along with 20 metal plates. I have a 15.9 degree curve and she had a 78.9 double S curve with her spine curving down at the top. Was pretty bad had 4 back surgeries. It still hurts her everyday though, mine causes me mild discomfort but makes my pregnancy really painful.

I feel for you and your sister.

[HeadlessHorseman]

Must be so much fun dealing with the TSA idiots at the airport.