Iliac screw removal

[TwinmomTN]

I see several posts regarding iliac screw removal. Kelly at Dr. Lenke's office told me that if the screw or screws are removed, the curve or curves would just return. Has anyone here had their screws removed and if so is the curve progressing?

[yacpatty]

Iliac Screw

Hi Pam,

I feel so bad that you have been in so much pain since your surgery. I will find out Friday or next week if Dr. Bridwell will be fusing me to the sacrum, which I am hoping he will, but I do worry about having the same problem you are having. I am on the thin side and worry about feeling the hardware. The only thing I can tell you is that I think I have read that the screws cannot be removed for one to two years, and even though surgeons do not like doing this, it can be done. I hope you get responses on your post and I hope Dr. Lenke can find an answer for your pain.
Blessings,
Pat

[leahdragonfly]

no recurving here

Hi Pam,

I had my single iliac screw removed during my revision surgery for broken rods. I had trouble with persistent pain over the left buttock where my iliac screw was, which is why I wanted it out. Dr Hart told me that was no problem to remove after one year post-op. He said the purpose of the iliac screw is to protect against fracture of the sacrum while the fusion is healing. Once the lower levels are solidly fused, he told me the iliac screw is no longer needed.

I have had no problem with any re-curving. I feel better over the left buttock now that the screw is gone, and I just found a skilled massage therapist who is working hard to get rid of a lot of persistent, chronic muscle spasm in my back and over the buttock area. I am glad I had the screw removed.

Several other people here have had their iliac screws removed. If you search for "iliac screw removal" I think you can find them. No one else had trouble with re-curving, but everyone had it done at least one year post-op.

Good luck, and I sure hope you can get some relief soon.

[KathK]

Hi Pam,

I had occasional pain in my SI joints from 8 weeks post-op to probably about 18 months post-op. I also had (and still have) some sensitivity over those pelvic screws. I asked Dr. Lenke at my 1 year follow-up visit about the SI joint pain. He said that my SI joints had probably moved a bit when I was active (e.g. walking) prior to my surgery. So, post surgery, when those joints tried to move, he said that the pelvic screws that were crossing those joints were causing irritation. He said he could remove my pelvic screws at the 2 year post-op point. Thankfully, my SI joint pain has reduced over time and I have not noticed it at all for about 6 months. The tissue over my screws is still more sensitive than the rest of me, but I have decided that I can live with that.

I believe that Anne (ADMoul) had at least one pelvic screw removed if you search on her threads.

I hope that you are able to get relief from your pain, Pam!

Best Wishes,
Kathy

[TwinmomTN]

Kathy- So if Dr. Lenke is willing to remove the screws then I am sure he wouldn't do that if the curve would return. So, I wonder why Kelly told me this. She stated this as a blanket/general statement.