I have the same question. Had my surgery in 1986. I'm 45, my curve is on the right side and I feel like if I lean on my left side only. I am noticing my stomach and ribs bigger on my right side too.

This is happening to me too. It feels like it is twisting. Sometimes I notice in the way I'm standing or sitting.

This is interesting to learn about, I have never heard about this issue before.

I do not know what type of rods I have, they were a newer type when I had my surgery done in high school.

I can say that after the surgery if I slouch or sit in a similar position I can hold it for maybe 5 minutes, but after that my back has to be straight, it has to sit straight up, it does it on its own, it sounds weird, but it feels good.

How do you develop bad posture with the harrington rods?

Hey, yeah, it's possible. It's happening to me. I had one Harrington rod, but my curve regressed back to 40 degrees before stabilziing. However my upper curve seems to be getting worse over time, since I only have a rod in my lower back. My ortho told me given the success of my fusion at age 18, it *shouldn't" have gotten any worse. But it did. I think maybe desk work and lack of exercise contributed, but who knows...

I am trying a lot of different things now to keep from getting worse, and to alleviate related pain I'm having. Yoga-like core strengthening, and attempted mindfulness about posture. Also, I think deep tissue massage might actually help loosen my muscles and let my Harrington rod do it's thing and pull me back a little straighter.

But definitely possible. Happening to me. I was pretty bummed about it for a whilelots of anxiety, but now I've just kind of accepted whatever's going to happen.

It is absolutely possible, if you do not get and keep your core strong, to acquire bad posture over time after spinal/rod surgery. Metal (surgical steel and titanium) is only so strong, it will weaken over time with gravity and weak muscles, weight gain, etc. pulling on it.

I have titanium rods for an S curve that was 55 top and 65 bottom with a 12 degree rotation to the left. They (surgical doctors and nurses) straightened me out to 7 and 10 degrees, but after having two babies within 3 years of my surgery at 18 years old, and subsequent jobs where I had to repeatedly lift and move things, I am back to 23 and 32 degrees with 2 herniated disks below the upper lumbar fusion.

I now know that my scoliosis was compensatory not idiopathic and my right leg is 3/4 inch longer than my left so now I wear a lift in my left shoe. I have a full sole lift on my work boots which has dramatically helped my back pain at the end of a 8 to 12 hour day of standing and walking. I also concentrate on my posture and plank to keep my core strong now. I know that planking would be too painful for many here, but some yoga can be good, as well as other slow moving core strengthening exercises. Just learn your limits, don't over do it, and do some research to find what works for you. Also, don't be afraid to switch doctors if you aren't getting the help you need after a couple years or more.

The good news is that it is not too late to start strengthening your core, and stop the progression, even slightly reverse the curve with specific targeted muscle strengthening. You'll have to find a doctor/physical therapist who knows these techniques.

I only know what has worked for me though, and haven't been to a doctor in 2 years for my back since I figured out what helps me. I avoid pain relievers, and only take a muscle relaxer after a long day of lifting/walking/standing (maybe once or twice a week at bedtime only). Tizanidine works best for me.

I know I will eventually have to have the rods removed or replaced, but I will do my best to stave that off as long as possible.

My entire spine is fused exept at the very top and very bottom so with two rods and solid bone I don't think I could curve again. I am 25 years post surgery and you can develop all kinds of pain issues from the way you walk and the way you stand. The number one biggest problem is carrying any extra weight. If you have a desk job you have to get up and walk around about every 20-30 minutes. I have had the best success with pain issues by using a massage therapist who does pressure points. So absolutely exercise, stay strong and flexible and keep the weight off.

I have noticed my posture worsening too. I did have a recent X ray as well as an MRI, and my fusion (although I had the hardware removed) is stable. However, since long fusions eventually cause severe degeneration below the fusion, I have lost disc space between my lower vertebrae. So, I think I have lost some height because of this and I feel like I look a little more "crunched down." I am trying to get some artificial discs, but have had no luck so far.