Harrington Rod & Massage Therapy: What You Need to Know

Question
Could you tell me if someone has a Harrington rod if it is a contraindication for massage or not? If you are not sure could you please point me in the right direction of someone that would know.

Lacy

Answer
Hi Lacy,
Great question, and it's right up my alley.
First, for those who are not familiar with the operation:
--see a writeup on the procedure at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrington_Implant
This procedure is used mostly for correcting severe scoliosis (side-to-side curvature of the spine).  Ideally during puberty the patient is fitted with very strong titanium rods along the vertebrae, beneath the skin and along the paraspinal musculature.  They are wired into place to the vertebrae, one side to elongate and one side to compress at each vertebral level, to straighten the spine.  
Nowawadays a spinal fusion is also done; bone is taken from another location (often the hip), ground up to awaken the osteoblast cells which will form new bone growth.  The bone meal is packed in between the vertebrae to be fused.  Eventually the metal rods are bent due to the immense forces placed on them, but by that time the bone has hopefully grafted and fused the vertebrae from movement.  
The metal rods and wires commonly remain in place for the patients' lifetime.

So Lacy, your answer:
The rods, wires and screws bring up some issues for massage.  If the Orthopedic Surgeon ("orthopod") OK's it, then there's no problem.  However, sometimes the sharp ends of wires may still protrude.  You are best to ask your orthopod who will likely OK it if it's a year after your last follow-up operation, in other words, if you're stable and completely healed from the operation.  
The operation is a doozey; you've been unzipped right down to your spine, and have been re-sewn in many layers.  Those layers can adhere so it's an ongoing process for the therapist.  Some adherences are OK and even preferable to work loose, others are unnecessary, painful or even dangerous to rip apart.  The surgeon and therapist, ideally, would have a head-to-head in some form to make a treatment plan for you.

In short, it's definitely a possibility but there are a bunch of factors that make this a precaution to massage therapy.  Your therapist should be familiar with the procedure; don't go to just anyone in the mall.

Feel free to follow up,
Glenn Kukkee,  RMT, HBSc
Vancouver, BC, Canada