Removal of All Hardware!

[dianeh]

Hi,
I'm in the process of waiting to see if I'll need all my hardware removed. I had a spinal abscess in 2008 and just finished a full year off antibiotics. My blood work showed an elevated sed rate which indicates inflammation of some sort.
I have to wait it out and see if I get sick-right now I feel healthy.

My surgeon said if he took the hardware out he would put it in again 3-4 months later. He would not let me walk around with an unsupported fusion. Does anyone know anything about this? I've read about hardware removal but not usually replacing it. Just curious-I'm not there yet and hopefully will be spared this surgery.
dianeh

[LindaRacine]

Hi,
I'm in the process of waiting to see if I'll need all my hardware removed. I had a spinal abscess in 2008 and just finished a full year off antibiotics. My blood work showed an elevated sed rate which indicates inflammation of some sort.
I have to wait it out and see if I get sick-right now I feel healthy.

My surgeon said if he took the hardware out he would put it in again 3-4 months later. He would not let me walk around with an unsupported fusion. Does anyone know anything about this? I've read about hardware removal but not usually replacing it. Just curious-I'm not there yet and hopefully will be spared this surgery.
dianeh

Hi Diane...

Hardware is usually not reimplanted unless the patient is not fused (which should become evident fairly soon after surgery). If your surgeon removes your implants, and your spine doesn't re-curve, I think you should be very reluctant to go through another surgery. At least, you should get a second opinion.

Regards,
Linda