Monday, May 30, 2011

Can you have MRI with spinal hardware including Harrington Rod?

I received this comment from the blog about the woman 29 years after Harrington rod fusion by Dr. Ralph Coonrad:

“I am 58 years old and I had my Harrington rod put in when I was 15 which was 43 years ago (where has the time gone) at the Royal Southern Hospital in Liverpool.  I am now developing other medical complaints which could require an MRI scan, Is this possible.  Has anyone experienced this at all PLEASE HELP”

My response to this is that most patients can have MRI’s done after spinal instrumentation.
The only issue is that the images will be a little blurry directly around the hardware, especially if it is stainless steel, which the original Harrington rods and many of the older systems used.
Pacemakers and spinal cord stimulator and intrathecal pumps can’t be used with MRI.
Certain metal clips in brain, etc may also be contraindication, or if you may have any metal fragments in your eye.

CT scan is an alternative way to look for spinal issues in patients with spinal hardware, which still has some artifact, but not as much as MRI.

For this particular person, she/he should discuss these questions with her doctor in context of her medical history and complaints.
I hope you get some answers and relief!

Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
http://www.heyclinic.com

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Kate from Connecticut Shares Thanksgiving on 1st Anniversary of Scoliosis Surgery at Hey Clinic

About a year ago, we straightened up Kate, who came down from Connecticut for her severe kyphoscoliosis reconstruction.
She had adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) that was never treated, and her deformity got worse and painful during adulthood, with an adult degenerative scoliosis on top of her severe adolescent idiopathic curve.

By her early 40’s, it had really gotten severe, and her quality of life became unacceptable, including caring for and enjoying her kids and family.  She also had an extremely visible deformity, which did not help her self image and posture.

Her note below came at a great time on a “rough Monday” --- notes like this really help encourage all of us to keep caring, and keep serving and trying to make a difference.  It is really cool when many of our guests end up caring for and encouraging US as well.  At the end of the day we are all people, in a web of relationships, hopefully trying to make each other’s journey a little easier.  It is humbling, but very cool, and very empowering to be connected our guests and families.  Clinic ends up being more like happy reunions and updates where we are just glad to see each other again!

Thanks Kate for sharing this blessing.  Thanks for also making the trip to come down and see us again this past Friday with your son (who is obviously brilliant and quite kind!)

The “Trey” she is talking about is our physician assistant Jenny’s new son, who has made a couple of visits to Hey Clinic so far, but neither Kate nor I have seen the little guy yet except in pictures.  Hope to see Jenny and Trey tomorrow late afternoon --- we all miss her.

Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
http://www.heyclinic.com


------ Forwarded Message
From: KATE
Date: Mon, 16 May 2011 11:49:02 -0400
To: Lloyd Hey <>
Subject: Blessings

Hey Dr. Hey'

I just celebrated my 1st year of surgery this past Friday, May 13 (not an unlucky thing- actually the world wide celebration of The Lady of Fatima in Portugal).  I will see you this coming Friday and I can't get over how many people I meet that remind me that they have prayed for me and how amazing I look- not to brag- although I do about you!  Everyone say's. "Did you change your hair?"  I say, "Well, maybe a little yes, but I gained an inch & a half!"

Dr. Hey, I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for me.  I am totally straight, have no pain (I don't even need to take Tylenol)- once in a while I have a qwirk here and there at night when I tend to over do it which is my nature.  I know I need to take it easy, but I am doing so well thanks to your amazing gifts.

Had hoped to see Jenny's little Trey.  A Cutie gift from God!

See you soon - Love Kate
      

------ End of Forwarded Message

Monday, May 9, 2011

14 yo young man w 41 degree adolescent idiopathic scoliosis fixed this am

Surgical time: 2 hr 45 min.
T6-L3 instrumentation and fusion.
Ebl: 600 cc.
Blood transfused: none.
Complications: none.
Correction: quite good!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Severe adult kyphoscoliosis and stenosis fixed today

Severe back and leg pain and trouble walking.
T2-iliac wing instrumentation and fusion w TLIF an osteotomies and laminectomies.
Surgical time: 4.5 hrs.
Ebl: 1500 cc
Blood transfused none.
Complications: none.
Correction: quite good!