Broken rods/ failed fusion?

[Geish]

Does anyone know the symptoms of either broken rods or failed fusion? I am 6 months post op and have not had any problems until this past week. My lower back is puffy from my waist to my lower hip area the full width of my back. I have no idea why this has happened as I haven't done anything differently. It feels like the area is very full and heavy and there is noticeable swelling. My lower back hurts for the first time since surgery and I am back on pain meds for the first time in months. I do have a call in to my Dr (actually I have called twice now and will be calling again Monday morning. He is 2 1/2 hrs away or I would just take a drive over there.) but have not heard anything yet. Ice packs don't seem to help and I was instructed to not take anti-inflammatories so i have no idea if they work. Any suggestion? It seems like the swelling moves a little farther up my back each day. Thanks in advance.
Alicia

[Susie*Bee]

Alicia-- I am SO sorry to hear this. I don't know what it may mean so I won't speculate. Keep hounding the doctor until he gets you in. Please let us know when you find out more. In the meantime, you'll be in my thoughts and in my prayers. Hugs, Susie

[JoAnn5]

If it gets worse before you hear from your surgeon, i'd suggest a trip to the ER. They can get in contact with him if need be. It could be an infection, since it's increasing, and that's nothing to fool with. It's better to be safe than sorry. Do you have a fever?

[txmarinemom]

... It could be an infection, since it's increasing, and that's nothing to fool with. It's better to be safe than sorry. Do you have a fever?

JoAnn, she had surgery in mid-December '07. Surely infection would have manifested by now ...

[skoshi314]

Hey Alicia,
Obviously I'm no help with this since I'm so new to the post-op club, but I think I may have an idea how you're feeling right now. Please don't worry yourself crazy. But just as Joann said don't hesitate to go to the ER at any point. Thats what they are there for. I will definately be thinking about you.

[ca-native]

Does the doctor have an "after hours" service so he or his nurse can be paged so you can talk to someone today? If not and the swelling has increased since yesterday, I vote for going to an ER facility near your home today.

Good luck and best wishes. Let us know how you are doing.

[Geish]

Thanks everyone. I don't think it's an infection...there's no redness or heat and I am not running a fever. The area just feels very heavy and "full". It kind of looks like swollen ankles from water retention but in my low back. I am now in pants that were big pre op and they are snug. The weight hasn't really gone up and I still weigh less than I did pre op. Laying on my back makes it ache and the underlaying muscles feel very tired, with pain radiating out to my sides. The only position I feel comfortable in is laying on my stomach.

By the way I live in a little remote ski resort town an hour away from the next closest town up a winding mountain road and 2 1/2 hours away from my surgeon if there is no traffic. A real hospital is over an hour away. I hesitate to go to the local ER as they will have no clue and probably wonder why I have a 22 inch scar and will say "hey whats that stuff on your back Xray?"! The swelling feels a little less today. I will probably ice again and continue to take it easy today. I will be calling the surgeon first thing tomorrow morning.

Thanks again everyone.
Alicia

[suzyjay]

I had a pressure and a heavy feeling in my lower back that started around 5 months after surgery it lasted for about 2 - months. But, don't rule out an infection, if you don't have a test to check for infection you can't know for sure. I found out that I had an infection 4 months after surgery and it was discovered from a blood test. I didn't have any fever or redness or open sore or skin infection, my surgeon didn't know why I was still in quite a bit of pain after 4 months. He said he didn't think it was an infection but said to take a blood test for infection to be sure. Well I had a staph infection inside me on the hardware and only sign was pain. Good Luck

Sue

[JoAnn5]

Thanks, Suzy... I thought i remembered that you discovered it several months later. But my memory is so fuzzy anymore... You know i think they remove brain cells with every general anesthesia, and being OLD doesn't help either....lol

[myachingback]

Could Be Infection

I'm real sure you don't get fever with all infections. Also I was reading on a website about my wrists and they said after a wrist joint replacement you are susceptible sp? to infections for years on the implants. Don't want to alarm you but the sooner you get antibiotics for an infection the better chances you have to beat it. I would be hightailing it to a competent ER if I were you.
I know about the kind of treatment you have close to you. Our hospital was named Hillcrest, less affectionatly nicknamed Killcrest! I told my wife if I was unconsious just drive on by there!
Best Wishes,
Chris

[txmarinemom]

I found out that I had an infection 4 months after surgery and it was discovered from a blood test. I didn't have any fever or redness or open sore or skin infection, my surgeon didn't know why I was still in quite a bit of pain after 4 months. He said he didn't think it was an infection but said to take a blood test for infection to be sure. Well I had a staph infection inside me on the hardware and only sign was pain.

Geish, you haven't *had* pain (or anything abnormal until now), though, right?

[Geish]

Everything was great until Monday of this past week. No pain, no swelling, no fever, no heaviness, nothing. I have been off all meds for close to 4 months until this past week. I have been leading an active, relatively normal life until last Monday. I really have no idea why the swelling started and there is more discomfort than pain. It feels achy like a muscle strain and yet I can't think how I might have strained anything. The skin is not even warm to the touch. It is just very puffy and feels very full and heavy. It is uncomfortable to lie on my back and on either side. If I do lie on my side it feels like the weight of the puffy tissue causes more discomfort.

[ca-native]

By the way I live in a little remote ski resort town an hour away from the next closest town up a winding mountain road and 2 1/2 hours away from my surgeon if there is no traffic. A real hospital is over an hour away. I hesitate to go to the local ER as they will have no clue and probably wonder why I have a 22 inch scar and will say "hey whats that stuff on your back Xray?"! The swelling feels a little less today. I will probably ice again and continue to take it easy today. I will be calling the surgeon first thing tomorrow morning.

Thanks again everyone.
Alicia

Hi Alicia,

I was hoping Big Bear would have some sort of hospital closer than an hour away due to ski injuries they probably have during the winter. I bet that hospital is good with broken legs, but like you said not so much with spinal fusions.

Normally I don't look forward to Monday, but in this case it's good so you can connect with doctor's office. Please let us know what's going on.

Take care,

[Geish]

Hi Alicia,

I was hoping Big Bear would have some sort of hospital closer than an hour away due to ski injuries they probably have during the winter. I bet that hospital is good with broken legs, but like you said not so much with spinal fusions.

Normally I don't look forward to Monday, but in this case it's good so you can connect with doctor's office. Please let us know what's going on.

Take care,

We do have a hospital, however they are not quite equipped to handle a spinal fusion problem. At least I don't think they are. And yes, they do a great job with most ski injuries but if there is anything too serious they either send them off in an ambulance or on an airvac. Loma Linda is an hour away but they don't take Kaiser Insurance so the nearest Kaiser Hopsital is over an hour away and even then most of those Drs have never seen a spinal fusion either. The closest Kaiser with spinal surgery is almost 2 hours away I believe, out in Baldwin Park area. When I searched for a scoliosis surgeon that's where the nearest one was with Kaiser.

[Chihuahua Mama]

Kaiser in Fontana isn't a good choice, for sure

Geish, did you bump into anything? Sit down too hard, or otherwise press against the area (I'm thinking of stadium seats, etc.). Any sudden puffiness and swelling would indicate somethings off.

I'm with the others to call your Kaiser Doc in the Valley.