Loose screw? Broken rod?

[curvycakes]

Hi all,

This year will be my 4 year anniversary for my fusion. I also had a thoracoplasty 3 years ago. Anyway, I've posted about the possibility of a broken rod before & now I'm back. 2 years ago I had this sharp pain, which turned out to be nothing. Recently, I've had a different feeling. It's almost as though I can feel my rods in the middle of my back. This started last week and it's like I can feel it more and more each day. I haven't heard a "pop" or felt a break, but this feeling is unlike anything I've ever felt in my back post-surgery. It's as if something isn't as tight as it used to be and I feel something is "loose" when I lay down. It's really difficult to describe this feeling...

My right shoulder blade also feels really weak and ticklish at times. And strangely, it seems like my little rib hump is protruding more. I notice it in the mirror and also when I lay against a flat surface. Something just isn't right and I'm not sure what!

Has anyone felt this before? Like I said, I'm 4 years post op, so I'm wondering if my muscles are finally relaxing & getting back to normal. I've been numb in the middle of the back ever since my surgery, so perhaps that's changing?

Scheduled an appointment with my surgeon for Friday, but probably going to get an X-ray at a med express tomorrow because this is making me anxious...

[Lue]

revision

Hi, I had a broken rod in the center of my back last year , and I fell in Jan,(1 year after revision surgery) and broke one in the lumber, and I never felt as much as a pinch, I am leaning to the right and having surgery May 6 to fix and I hope the last time. Lu

[LindaRacine]

Hi...

It's unlikely that a non-spine medical practice has long cassette xray capability. If it were me, I'd wait until seeing the spine surgeon before having films taken, as your surgeon will almost certainly want full, 36" standing A/P and lateral xrays.

Hope it turns out to be nothing.

--Linda

[JenniferG]

I'll be looking out for your post curveycakes - there are a few of us here who're 4-5 years out and will be hoping for the best for you.

[rohrer01]

Just a question. Is it possible to break a rod without a pseudoarthrosis? I guess I just thought if the fusion was solid that it protected the rods from stress tension that eventually causes breakage. Did you injure yourself? I hope you find some answers when you go on Friday.

[curvycakes]

Good news

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the support & feedback! My appointment with the surgeon went well yesterday. Nothing is broken nor out of place. He suspects that it's scar tissue & muscular pain. He suggested massages. I will probably start getting them because it's very uncomfortable at times.

Rohrer, I guess I don't know the 100% accurate answer to your question, but I know it's highly unlikely for the rods to break if the spine is successfully fused. I know my spine is fully fused, but I had started practicing yoga and Pure Barre (a work out mixture of yoga, ballet, and Pilates) in January. While I feel great with my new workout routine, I was also worried that I was stretching too much or doing more than I should. I'm just a worrier by nature, if you can't tell.

Anyway! Everything is fine. Verified that I don't have any activity restrictions & I am at ease.

[JenniferG]

Fantastic news, Curvycakes! Thanks for letting us know.

[LindaRacine]

Rohrer....

It's rare, but possible. In those cases, it's thought that the fusion was delayed, allowing small movement of the rods. I've heard of it happening probably 2-3 times in all my years.

--Linda