Can you still feel the hardware?

[sccrm08]

I have a question for everyone post op. I am 19 months post op and I still feel the hardware and lately it really bugs me. Does everyone else still feel there hardware? If not at what stage did you stop feeling it? It had gotten a lot better around one year post op and now I feel as if it bothers me with every move I make again just like right after surgery. Its almost as if I can feel it moving around in my back and I know thats not possible.

[LindaRacine]

Hi Patty...

I've known quite a few people who have complained about being able to feel the hardware relatively quickly after surgery, and very few (if any) ever get over that feeling.

It's not impossible for your hardware to move, so you should probably get that checked out. If the implants continue to bother you, you can have them removed.

Good luck!

Regards,
Linda

[tessa]

hardware

I can hit my right shoulder blade on one of the rods in my back, but I never feel any movement in them.

I suggest checking with your doctor, and having your xrays compared. My scoliosis did continue to worsen even after surgery, by about 10 to 15 degrees, but odd feeling in your back are something to be monitored.

Good Luck.
Tessa

[txmarinemom]

Patty,

I've been able to feel a lump since surgery (as can others) at my bottom (L1) attachment point. I'm coming up on 11 months post-op, and doubt it will go away. NEVER would I consider a reopening to remove it unless I HAVE to. I'll just work around it ;-).

I have never felt my hardware "moving", however, and that includes after horseback riding (thanks, GingerW! ... Sharon, you would have been proud of me in a dressage saddle vs. the Western I know - LOL), sliding into bases, etc. I'm with Tessa that you should have things x-rayed ... just to look. Secure hardware should NOT move.

Maybe it's nerve quirks ... or something that mimics a feeling of hardware migration?

Pam

[LisaMS]

Patty,

I'm almost 6 weeks out from a/p fusion T8 to L3. I have not yet felt any hardware, but I've been on pain meds--but I'm tapering off and on low dose now, so I think I would feel it. I have soreness, numbness in places, and occasional sharp pains, but no sense of feeling the hardware. If I hadn't seen the pictures, I wouldn't believe it's in there!

I agree with the group, you should get it checked out if it feels funny--especially this long after surgery.

I hope you're able to get some answers and some relief!

[loves to skate]

I am a year post op and I can feel my hardware on cold nasty weather days or when there is an abrupt atmospheric pressure change. It isn't a feeling of the hardware moving but of an achyness in the sacrum. I don't feel it so much in the vertebrae. Sally

[debbei]

I don't think I've felt my hardware at all. Of course, I'm still taking 2 pain pills per day, I don't know--once I'm off them completely if I will feel any hardware.

[debbei]

My scoliosis did continue to worsen even after surgery, by about 10 to 15 degrees, but odd feeling in your back are something to be monitored.

Is this normal? I was under the impression that my curves wouldn't get any worse after my surgery as long as I fuse successfully.

[fierceliketiger]

I still feel my hardware, and sometimes I feel like it moves, but I am only 4 weeks (as of today!) out of surgery. I actually felt hardware where there wasn't any at first. It felt like the rods twisted all the way around to the front of my thighs, but about a week ago that wore off and I hardly take any meds anymore (my spine was very quickly collapsing before surgery, so the pain is actually better!) but I do feel my rods pretty much all the time. Sometimes when I am working out (ie. walking) I can get out of my head enough to not think about it, but its always there.

[sccrm08]

Thanks for the reply's, I had x-rays done by a GP 3 days ago and everything looks good, but my pain is only getting worse. I went to another GP this morning (mine is on maternity leave) and he feels I need to go back to the spine surgeon. I chose to go to my local spine surgeon as I could not possibly make the car ride to the surgeon who performed my surgery. The local surgeon can at least run any necessary tests before I make the trip back to the surgeon who performed the surgery. Wish me luck as I am now back on Percocet, Flexeril and Motrin 800 and I was told to stay in bed for a minimum of 4 days.

Thanks,

[Susie*Bee]

Patty-- I am so sorry about all this! It makes me wonder if that time you got knocked over at school if something got whacked enough to cause this. Keep us posted. In the meantime, please know I'm thinking of you.

[Wishing]

I am 6 months post-op with instrumentation from T-1 to S-1. I feel the hardware frequently. It does not hurt and does not bother me. It feels like I'm sitting back and feeling the vertical rungs on a chair, a dull feeling but I know they're there. Mentally, I consider the rods my friends. They support me, keep me from getting worse as I age, and keep me a little straighter than I was before. Still have big curves though.