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  • Broken Rod

    Long time no post my scolio friends! I have been lurking and reading so even though I have not been posting I have been here. I has the most painful thing next to surgery happen this week, a rod broke while I was with a patient. It is at the L4 level. However it hurts really bad below at the pelvic area. I go to see Dr. Kelly soon to find out my options.

    Tamena
    Diagnosed at age 12 with a double major curve

    Braced till age 15

    SSBOB T12-L2 Anterior age 34. (October 22,2012) Dr. Robert Gaines Jr. ( Columbia, MO)

    Revision Surgery T2-Sacrum with Pelvic Fixation Prosterior age 35 (November 13,2013) Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, MO)

    Revision Surgery L4/L5 due to BMP Complication age 36 (November 20,2014) Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, Mo)

    Revision Surgery due to broken rod scheduled for October 19, 2016 with Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, MO)

  • #2
    Dear Tamena,

    I am so sorry to hear that. As someone who has had broken rods twice, my heart goes out to you. Hopefully you are taking it very easy right now. If the other rod is intact currently it may break soon. Both times for me one broke followed by the other a few weeks later.

    Please let us know what Dr Kelly says.

    Gayle
    Gayle, age 50
    Oct 2010 fusion T8-sacrum w/ pelvic fixation
    Feb 2012 lumbar revision for broken rods @ L2-3-4
    Sept 2015 major lumbar A/P revision for broken rods @ L5-S1


    mom of Leah, 15 y/o, Diagnosed '08 with 26* T JIS (age 6)
    2010 VBS Dr Luhmann Shriners St Louis
    2017 curves stable/skeletely mature

    also mom of Torrey, 12 y/o son, 16* T, stable

    Comment


    • #3
      So sorry to hear that.

      I have had many broken rods and they are very painful

      Good luck

      Melissa
      Melissa

      Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011

      April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery

      Comment


      • #4
        Tam

        I cant believe it, and you have also had quite a trial with that BMP overgrowth complication all along...

        Let us know......

        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


        • #5
          Hi Tam, so sorry for your problem .sometimes it seems that it won't ever end . You mentioned that it hurts in the pelvic area. Could you describe it more. I hurt something in January that is very low. I felt a large pull. Then pain in low pelvis that I thought was a pulled muscle. However I still can't sit on it and every step hurts. My foot is numb and that gets worse when I try to stretch the hamstring. I did see an orthopaedic, not spine doctor, that checked the hips and it isn't the hips. Can you post a bigger description of the broken rod problem. I am fused to s1 and pelvis. Thank you. Jackie
          T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
          C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
          T2--T10 fusion 2/11
          C 4-5 fusion 11/14
          Right scapulectomy 6/15
          Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
          To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
          Broken neck 9/28/2018
          Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
          Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
          Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
          Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
          Osteotomy

          Comment


          • #6
            Thanks guys! It does feel like a never ending battle.

            Jackie,
            It feels like my lower right is not supported. The burning pain runs do the right side. I feel like I'm beginning to develop drop foot on the right. There is also a pain that goes across the top of my right foot that almost feels like it is broken. Which it is not because I have already xrayed it to look and nothing showed up. This happened within minutes of the pop. It's hard to fully explain, but sitting is the most uncomfortable position. Walking hurts to, but standing still is the best position. I get a slight relief from lying position but only if I have ice.
            Diagnosed at age 12 with a double major curve

            Braced till age 15

            SSBOB T12-L2 Anterior age 34. (October 22,2012) Dr. Robert Gaines Jr. ( Columbia, MO)

            Revision Surgery T2-Sacrum with Pelvic Fixation Prosterior age 35 (November 13,2013) Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, MO)

            Revision Surgery L4/L5 due to BMP Complication age 36 (November 20,2014) Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, Mo)

            Revision Surgery due to broken rod scheduled for October 19, 2016 with Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, MO)

            Comment


            • #7
              Thanks Tam, it gives me an idea of the type of pain you are in. I still can't sit on it ,whatever it is, I feel like I am sitting on a ball. Mine is left side but it has made my foot numb. Standing still is best, stairs are impossible. Sitting in the car is torture. I can lay down but not move without pain. I just wanted to compare I see my spine doctor at end of this month and I think I'll have him take a look at the hardware just in case it is anything. The numbness is increasing even though we are trying PT for a pulled hamstring.
              I do believe it never ends. We should name our club something clever. I am sure Ed can come up with something.
              T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
              C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
              T2--T10 fusion 2/11
              C 4-5 fusion 11/14
              Right scapulectomy 6/15
              Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
              To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
              Broken neck 9/28/2018
              Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
              Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
              Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
              Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
              Osteotomy

              Comment


              • #8
                Tamena,
                I am so sorry to read this. I hope you can get relief soon.
                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


                • #9
                  Tam, Welcome to the "Broken Rod Club". So sorry that this happened to you and somehow hope that the remedy comes soon.
                  Susan
                  Adult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis

                  2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
                  2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
                  2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
                  2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
                  2018: Removal L4,5 screw
                  2021: Removal T1 screw & rod

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by jackieg412 View Post
                    I do believe it never ends. I am sure Ed can come up with something.
                    I agree. Ultimately it doesn’t end..... I wish I could come up with something but we have way too many scientific questions that need to be answered..... All the modalities of treatment are temporary repairs, attempts at treatment with the knowledge that we have. We have come a long way, and we have a long way to go......

                    We are all big bunnies in a sandbox trying to live a pain free life, (and looking for that carrot) (smiley face) I have attached a photo.

                    Ed
                    Attached Files
                    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


                    • #11
                      That's a nice bunny! OMG.
                      Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

                      No island of sanity.

                      Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
                      Answer: Medicine


                      "We are all African."

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Ok, one more....LOL

                        I need coffee

                        Ed
                        Attached Files
                        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


                        • #13
                          Sharon, Love that Starbucks Colombian!

                          Once again, up extremely early in the morning, a sign that something is wrong. I was completely wiped out from looking down most of the day yesterday at work, sitting at my desk, compressing my discs in my neck. (It’s all I have left now).

                          I am having problems up high, the adjacent level above my T2. I take my hands over my shoulder and press forward on the top of my fusion mass at T2, look up, and get some incredible pops from this level. A self Chiro adjustment releases the binding in this area, but also wipes me out, so, in bed right after dinner last night......

                          So, whatever is happening, signs of possible adjacent level disease, or issues, I wonder why this happens, no scoliosis in the area. Why non-unions happen, is it DDD and resulting end plate degeneration? Could this issue be a main factor in why some people don’t fuse, and break rods?

                          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


                          • #14
                            Tam I wondered how you are. Thanks for the bunny. I wonder if this comes down to the whole theory that doctors "practice medicine". We are the subject of the practice. Keep us posted on your next step.
                            I see my spine surgeon at the end of July. I haven't had any pain relief from PT in the low spine level.
                            Back to working on the scapula problem. The shoulder is down a little and I can now raise it high enough to turn on the lights. Progress!
                            T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
                            C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
                            T2--T10 fusion 2/11
                            C 4-5 fusion 11/14
                            Right scapulectomy 6/15
                            Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
                            To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
                            Broken neck 9/28/2018
                            Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
                            Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
                            Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
                            Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
                            Osteotomy

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
                              Ok, one more....LOL

                              I need coffee

                              Ed
                              Thanks for posting this, Ed! These giant bunnies are so compelling. I hear the large ones behave like dogs.

                              I am so sorry you are having bad neck pain. You have come through a long, arduous fire and now are faced with another blaze. Like I tell my girls, you have a 100 percent success rate of getting this far and bouncing back from adversity. Embrace that laurel.

                              You will handle this with expertise, aplomb, and most of all good humor.

                              I consider you a treasure to this forum.

                              Best regards always.
                              Sharon
                              Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

                              No island of sanity.

                              Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
                              Answer: Medicine


                              "We are all African."

                              Comment

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