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  • Hardwear Removal

    Can I have some feedback on hardwear removal? I saw my spine surgeon and he said the pain is from irratation of the hearwear and it has to come out if i want the pain to discontinue..If i'm fused totally out it comes.if im not total fused he puts new harwear in ..if i'm partialy fused he puts more bone in and i wear a brace....plus i have to put a screen in my vena cava for prevention of a pulomary embolism.....this doesn't sound good...maybe i just wont bend my neck anymore and not bring my arms forward!!!any advice? How was revision surgery? How is the recovery? how many still had pain or added problems from more surgery?..thanks..I've been crying all day. I just want to be pain free....
    CONNIE


    Surgery June 28th 2004
    fused T4 -L3
    Hip graft
    Grown 1 1/2 inches
    25/o upper T 15/o
    53/o T 15/o
    37/o L 6/o
    Dr. Micheal Nuewirth
    New York City

    August 6, 2004
    Pulmonary Embolism
    complication from surgery

    January 2007 currently
    increasing pain at the T4/5
    point irratation heardwear

  • #2
    I was thinking of fat injections over the site that is irrating the muscles and nerves...has anybody ever heard of this??? cause i just thought of it.
    CONNIE


    Surgery June 28th 2004
    fused T4 -L3
    Hip graft
    Grown 1 1/2 inches
    25/o upper T 15/o
    53/o T 15/o
    37/o L 6/o
    Dr. Micheal Nuewirth
    New York City

    August 6, 2004
    Pulmonary Embolism
    complication from surgery

    January 2007 currently
    increasing pain at the T4/5
    point irratation heardwear

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by spincon58
      I was thinking of fat injections over the site that is irrating the muscles and nerves...has anybody ever heard of this??? cause i just thought of it.
      Not for cushioning corrective hardware, but I did inquire of my podiatrist about liposuction, removing fat from my mid-section and injecting it into the soles of my feet to solve my problem of very little cushioning on the bottom of my feet (basically feels like I am walking barefoot on glass shards, unless I wear a gel insert or very thick-soled, cushiony shoes). Of course, I was joking. Much to my surprise, he said someone had already done that technique, and it was successful in the short run, but over time the fat migrated back to its origial location

      Perhaps something like breast implants, but different in shape and location, could be a solution
      As of 12/25/07, age 62, 100* thoracic kyphosis, 73* L1-S1 lordosis, 37*/25* compensatory S-curve scoliosis. On 12/26/07, Dr. Boachie @ HSS NYC did 11 hours ant. & post. procedures, fused T2-L2, kyphosis now 57*, scoli 10*. Regained 2 1/4 inches in height!! Improving every day.

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Connie...

        The good news is that the type of revision surgery you might need is usually described as much easier than the first surgery. If it's simply implant removal, the recovery is a week or two of mild pain. If your spine has to be re-instrumented, it's a little more surgery, but not all that much. The people I know who have had similar surgeries have all described it as a piece of cake. The pain they had preop went away, and the pain from the incision was very minimal.

        Regards,
        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


        • #5
          Thanks Linda,
          I still have the memory of the first painful surgery so knowing that revision surgery is a bit easier is comforting...One more thing...I was told that once the hardwear starts to irrates the muscles it doesnt go away? Why?
          CONNIE


          Surgery June 28th 2004
          fused T4 -L3
          Hip graft
          Grown 1 1/2 inches
          25/o upper T 15/o
          53/o T 15/o
          37/o L 6/o
          Dr. Micheal Nuewirth
          New York City

          August 6, 2004
          Pulmonary Embolism
          complication from surgery

          January 2007 currently
          increasing pain at the T4/5
          point irratation heardwear

          Comment


          • #6
            Connie...

            Sorry, I don't have a clue.

            Did Dr. Neuwirth do a local injection to determine that the hardware was causing the pain?

            --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


            • #7
              One appointment i had 3 trigger point injections with cortisone i think and than another week one shot of lidocaine....the pain is still there...
              CONNIE


              Surgery June 28th 2004
              fused T4 -L3
              Hip graft
              Grown 1 1/2 inches
              25/o upper T 15/o
              53/o T 15/o
              37/o L 6/o
              Dr. Micheal Nuewirth
              New York City

              August 6, 2004
              Pulmonary Embolism
              complication from surgery

              January 2007 currently
              increasing pain at the T4/5
              point irratation heardwear

              Comment


              • #8
                Hi Connie...

                I think I was told that a local lidocaine shot is used to diagnose whether the pain is actually coming from the implants. (If the pain goes away temporarily, it's an indication that removing the implants will resolve the pain.) I don't know if it's 100% or not however.

                Regards,
                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


                • #9
                  Thats correct.. I was told that information from the doctor. The issue is I'm not sure if the temporary relief came from the shot or the pain meds I'm taking. The relief was a dull ache instead of a sharp pain...It seems so radical to have to take out spinal hardwear for surrounding soft tissues pain...Has anybody tried anything else that helped?
                  CONNIE


                  Surgery June 28th 2004
                  fused T4 -L3
                  Hip graft
                  Grown 1 1/2 inches
                  25/o upper T 15/o
                  53/o T 15/o
                  37/o L 6/o
                  Dr. Micheal Nuewirth
                  New York City

                  August 6, 2004
                  Pulmonary Embolism
                  complication from surgery

                  January 2007 currently
                  increasing pain at the T4/5
                  point irratation heardwear

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    soft tissue pain

                    Connie:

                    Whenever I did a new exercise, did a new movement or task I would get soft tissue issues in my scar areas. The hardware IS surrounded by scars so these new activities would cause soreness. I did discuss it with Boachie and we agreed on PT as well as a connective tissue therapist. She was recommended by my excellent PT. This therapy consisted of deep massage but it really helped. It always went away and now I only get it if I do something new.
                    Pilates also helped a lot--modified of course around my inability to do certain movements. I also "keep moving".
                    I certainly would never consider removing hardware for this; my spine already re-curved after my 1956, un-instrumented fusion at age 12.
                    I also believe we can go ballistic whenever we think something can go wrong after our surgeries.
                    In Dec I fell down a flight of stairs; I was bruised/sore for a long time but nothing happened to my hardware.
                    Original scoliosis surgery 1956 T-4 to L-2 ~100 degree thoracic (triple)curves at age 14. NO hardware-lost correction.
                    Anterior/posterior revision T-4 to Sacrum in 2002, age 60, by Dr. Boachie-Adjei @Hospital for Special Surgery, NY = 50% correction

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I experience the soft tissue pain whenever I do something new, or certain movements - similar to what Karen mentioned. The pain is mostly on my upper right top of the rod. For example, I was typing an essay on a laptop, and likely didn't have the best posture as I was sitting on the bed. When I went to move I experienced an awful "ripping" sensation near the top of the right rod. This has happened other times too with various activities. It's the scar/soft tissue around it. My specialist would not remove my rods b/c of this, nor would I want him too (they've been there for 18 yrs. and are imbedded in bone at this point). I also go to PT, and massage therapy for deep tissue work, which helps, and I watch what positions I'm in. Karen, I've fallen down stairs a couple of times too, and while my first thought is "oh no! my back!", it's always been okay. I was told that once the fusions are stable, the rods are usually pretty secure. (I'll always worry though!)
                      Cena
                      Nov. 2006 - revision surgery
                      Aug. 1992 - revision surgery for hook removal and pseudoarthrosis
                      July 1989 - Cortrell Doubosett procedure - two rods and fusion T4-L4 (age 13)

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Hi,
                        OK this all helps..I will go back to PT..I was there before I saw the doctor..My pain started as I was lifting over head weights at the gym....Is this scar tissue? Is this adhesion pain? I just can't get it why it doesnt go away with rest or shots ?Oh I also fell down stairs but it was 3 months post op..i was sooo scared..!!!
                        CONNIE


                        Surgery June 28th 2004
                        fused T4 -L3
                        Hip graft
                        Grown 1 1/2 inches
                        25/o upper T 15/o
                        53/o T 15/o
                        37/o L 6/o
                        Dr. Micheal Nuewirth
                        New York City

                        August 6, 2004
                        Pulmonary Embolism
                        complication from surgery

                        January 2007 currently
                        increasing pain at the T4/5
                        point irratation heardwear

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Hi Connie,
                          I hope you find something that will work. When my pain occurs, it is at T4 as well. I was reminded that it is right near the shoulder blades, and that a lot of muscles run there. I'm not a medical professional, but when irritated, my pain lasts a while too, and hurts so bad that I often feel nauseous (sp?). PT is probably a good place to start.
                          Cena
                          Nov. 2006 - revision surgery
                          Aug. 1992 - revision surgery for hook removal and pseudoarthrosis
                          July 1989 - Cortrell Doubosett procedure - two rods and fusion T4-L4 (age 13)

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Hi Cena,
                            Thats my exact location ...so its the hardwear? I'll try PT. I wonder why my surgeon didnt recommend that. Why did u have revision surgery if u dont mind me asking?
                            CONNIE


                            Surgery June 28th 2004
                            fused T4 -L3
                            Hip graft
                            Grown 1 1/2 inches
                            25/o upper T 15/o
                            53/o T 15/o
                            37/o L 6/o
                            Dr. Micheal Nuewirth
                            New York City

                            August 6, 2004
                            Pulmonary Embolism
                            complication from surgery

                            January 2007 currently
                            increasing pain at the T4/5
                            point irratation heardwear

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Hi Connie - sorry I didn't see your last post until today. Personally, I wouldn't have my hardware removed b/c of the pain I get. I've gotten a lot of relief from PT (who does manual therapy, and has worked on a lot of my muscles and tissue in that area), and massage therapy. Here (Canada), you don't need a dr.'s referral for PT. I think it's always a good step to try before surgery IMO.
                              My revision surgery was for my lumbar spine - scoliosis reconstruction surgery. I had problems related to Flatback syndrome and spinal stenosis. They extended my fusion and added more hardware.
                              Cena
                              Nov. 2006 - revision surgery
                              Aug. 1992 - revision surgery for hook removal and pseudoarthrosis
                              July 1989 - Cortrell Doubosett procedure - two rods and fusion T4-L4 (age 13)

                              Comment

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