Harrington rod

Harrington rod is a stainless steel surgical device that was historically, but is now rarely, used in the treatment of spine conditions such as scoliosis and kyphosis. The rod was invented by Paul Harrington, an orthopedic surgeon from Texas, in 1953.

History

The Harrington rod was developed by Paul Harrington in 1953 to correct scoliosis and kyphosis. Before the invention of the Harrington rod, there were no effective treatments for these conditions. The rod was a breakthrough in spinal surgery and was widely used until the late 1990s.

Design

The Harrington rod is a stainless steel rod that is inserted along the spinal column to correct curvature. The rod is attached to the spine using hooks and screws. The rod is then tightened to straighten the spine and correct the curvature.

Procedure

The procedure to insert a Harrington rod is called a spinal fusion. The surgeon makes an incision in the back and the rod is inserted along the spinal column. The rod is then attached to the spine using hooks and screws. The rod is then tightened to straighten the spine and correct the curvature. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia.

Complications

While the Harrington rod has been successful in treating scoliosis and kyphosis, it is not without complications. These can include infection, nerve damage, and failure of the rod. In some cases, additional surgery may be required to correct these complications.

Current Use

The use of the Harrington rod has declined since the late 1990s due to the development of more advanced spinal correction devices. These newer devices allow for more flexibility and movement of the spine, which can result in a more natural posture and less pain for the patient.

See Also

• Spinal fusion
• Scoliosis
• Kyphosis
• Paul Harrington

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