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  • In a dilemma

    So I got the results of my scan and the good news is there's no infection but I'm kind of disappointed that there's nothing showing up to explain my continuing pain.

    I came away from my appt confused and upset. He said he will remove my metalwork if I want but there are no guarantees it will help my pain, he also can't guarantee I won't loose some correction. I know for certain the bunch of screws that were put into the apex of my curve are causing me pain but because of the system he's used he can't just remove them-it all has to come out. He really suggest though that I give myself another year which will make me 3 years post op. he said it could be my body needs longer to accept the metalwork, right now I can't see that happening. I said wont it be harder to remove if I wait and he said no, that if he has to chip it out it would mean I have a good solid fusion.

    I had such a rough time with my first surgery I don't know whether I can do another big surgery. My pre op pain has been replaced by another pain and I'm worried that if I have this metalwork removed I could be replacing the pain I have now with another and cause myself a new set of problems in the future.
    Some sleepless nights ahead.....
    Fused T2-L4 with costoplasty on 3/11/10

  • #2
    Is any of your pain related to your fusion ending at L4? (Disc degeneration below the fusion or sagittal imbalance?) My thought would be to consult with a couple other revision specialists. Not necessarily to have surgery with them, but just to see what they think is causing your pain. People with really good experience in scoliosis revision surgery.
    age 48
    80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
    Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
    Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
    Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
    Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.

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    • #3
      I don't have any pain in that area, just general backache occasionally.
      Most of my pain is located in my thoracic between my shoulder blades, there is a central panel that feels as if I have knives in my back with every single movement. Its like my muscles won't stretch within that area.
      I also have pressure there 24/7. This area is where the bunch of protruding screws are too.
      My surgeon has commented on the fact that I have zero fat in that area so whether that's anything to do with it I'm not sure. All I know is that its with me all the time, the pressure eases when I lie down but once I get up the sharp digging pains re start again.
      Fused T2-L4 with costoplasty on 3/11/10

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