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  • Hardware removal

    Does anyone have any good news about hardware removal?
    I had fusion surgery (T4 to L4) in 2004 at age 54 for approx double 60 degree curves. Since that time I have had continuous pain. Now I am facing hardware removal because a rod is actually coming through the skin in my back. Most of the information I find seems to indicate curve progression without the rods. Can someone out there tell me something good about this?
    Thanks

  • #2
    My understanding is that, if fusion has happened, there will be no curve progression.
    In my case, I had my hardware removed last Nov, because my surgeon suspected a non-union(s) (and to rule out that my hardware was infected). BECAUSE there were 3 levels of non-union, my curves progressed (quite quickly) once the hardware wasn't there to support the vertebrae. So, removal was the right thing to do, or else I would have continued with pain until I broke a rod, and then it would be obvious that there was a problem with non-union. Non-unions need to be fixed.
    So, I had those 3 levels re-done (with BMP this time) and had hardware put in from T-10 to L-3, with an osteotomy (you can see all this in my siggy), to correct a sagittal imbalance. By 2 weeks post-op, I felt great, and stopped needing anything for pain. I have had a couple minor "setbacks" in how I've felt, lasting from 2 days to about a week.
    I am so very glad that I had the hardware removal, the surgeon located the problem, and I had the revision surgery, all in pretty short order.
    Good luck!

    Good luck!!
    Last edited by mgs; 06-12-2011, 08:35 PM.
    Fused T-3 to L-3, Aug 25
    Hardware removal surgery, Nov 2, 2010
    Fused T-10 to L-2, osteotomy, Feb 22, 2011

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by patif View Post
      Does anyone have any good news about hardware removal?
      I had fusion surgery (T4 to L4) in 2004 at age 54 for approx double 60 degree curves. Since that time I have had continuous pain. Now I am facing hardware removal because a rod is actually coming through the skin in my back. Most of the information I find seems to indicate curve progression without the rods. Can someone out there tell me something good about this?
      Thanks
      Hi...

      It depends entirely on whether you're fused or not. Who is your surgeon?

      --Linda
      Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
      Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

      Comment


      • #4
        MGS
        It is good to hear that you had such a good outcome with your rod removal. Glad you are feeling well. I hope I might be so lucky as I have been in pain every day since my surgery in 2004. It is possible that I have some non-fusion and, if so, maybe that can be fixed. Thanks for the encouragement.

        Linda
        I rather not put any surgeon names out in a public forum, especially before my surgery. He is a respected revision surgeon. In addition to the prominent rods, I have 90+ kyphosis. The two revision surgeons, I’ve seen previously, elected to “do nothing”. That was before I had a rod poking out covered with blue/red paper thin skin.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by patif View Post
          ......That was before I had a rod poking out covered with blue/red paper thin skin.
          You poor thing. I hope it all works out ok for you. Good luck.
          __________________________________________
          Debbe - 50 yrs old

          Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
          Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

          Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
          Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
          Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

          Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
          Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

          Comment


          • #6
            I hope you're seeing a new surgeon, not one who's left you with possible non-fusion for 7 years and only now doing something about it because the rods are coming through your skin. Wishing you the very best of luck.
            Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
            Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
            T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
            Osteotomies and Laminectomies
            Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

            Comment


            • #7
              Before the final decision is made on the hardware removal, the doctor ordered a CT.
              My current doctor is not the doctor that did the original surgery. The doctor that performed my original surgery is a good surgeon. I think that I was just part of the unlucky statistics with a poor outcome. Now I just hope that the hardware removal or something will help me. Things have not been good since the original surgery.
              Thanks all for your replies.

              Comment


              • #8
                An update. -- My surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday, Aug 30. My back surgeon wanted a plastic surgeon in on the surgery and there has been a problem coordinating schedules. This week the rods have actually broken the skin (you can see the metal coming out of my back) "forcing" the schedule. Besides quite a bit of additional pain associated with this, I am now terrified of infection.
                Does anyone have any experience with exposed rods and their removal? I have been told that taking out the rods is a much easier time than putting them in. I am just very worried about loosing correction and infection. Thanks for any insight you all have.
                Pat F

                Comment


                • #9
                  I hope someone can help you with experience of that happening. I just wanted to wish you all the best for Tuesday. Please let us know the outcome, every experience is important on a forum like this. I hope your outcome finally frees you of the pain you've been living with for so long.
                  Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
                  Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
                  T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
                  Osteotomies and Laminectomies
                  Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I wish you the very best on Tuesday. Your fears are definitely warranted but have faith in your surgeon and yourself that you'll pull through this alright. I will be thinking of you and keeping you in prayer for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. All the best.

                    Michele
                    1993/1995: PSF w/ Harrington rods T3-L4
                    Jan. 24, 2012: ALIF of L4-L5, L5-S1 w/ cage spacer and BMP
                    Jan. 31, 2012: PLIF of L1-S1 w/ pelvic anchors
                    Scheduled Nov.15, 2012: Fusion T2-S1 w/ pelvic anchors to fix T12 fracture
                    http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ot/myback2.jpg - BEFORE
                    http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CT2342x406.jpg - AFTER
                    http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CT1410x229.jpg - AFTER
                    www.jerseyot.blogspot.com

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Pat,
                      I'll be thinking about you on Tuesday and wishing you the best. Be sure to post when you are able.
                      Karen

                      Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
                      Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
                      70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
                      Rib Hump-GONE!
                      Age-60 at the time of surgery
                      Now 66
                      Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
                      Retired Kdgn. Teacher

                      See photobucket link for:
                      Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
                      Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
                      tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
                      http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Pat, you will be in my prayers and I hope that all goes well.Please post when you can

                        Melissa
                        Melissa

                        Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011

                        April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          All - Thanks so much for your prayers and good wishes for Tuesday. I am pretty nervous today but anxious to get it over. Next weekend I will update and hope all is well.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Pat

                            You are going to be ok, you can do this.....

                            Post when you can
                            Ed
                            49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
                            Pre surgery curves T70,L70
                            ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
                            Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

                            Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
                            http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

                            My x-rays
                            http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

                            http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Thinking of you and wishing you the very best outcome, Tuesday.
                              Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
                              Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
                              T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
                              Osteotomies and Laminectomies
                              Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

                              Comment

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