Titanium or Steel?

[Radiogirl]

Lenke told me at my pre-op last Wedneday that he is going to use Cobal Steel Rods with titanium screws. But ... I do have a "rod" question. I just assumed the rods are straight and not flexible...but someone here on earlier post mentioned something about them being bendable??? Can someone clear that up for me? Are the rods straight and rigid, or are they bendable?

Thanks!

[Vali]

Laura, the rods are contoured to your back shape. They are not bendable, as in, you can bend and the rods bend with you, if you know what i mean. Is this what you mean?

[txmarinemom]

I am having a revision in 3ish weeks . I currently have titanium rods and my doc ( a different surgeon than my original surgeon) is cutting rods off at my lumbar area and replacing with (he said) a cobalt type of rod which he said is stronger.

Could be Vitallium, Naptown ... it's about 60% cobalt, and is compatible with titanium. My pedicle screws are titanium.

Ed, didn't someone else mention they were getting CoChMo alloy hardware a year or so ago that wasn't Vitallium - but the actual material was never really identified?

Does anyone know (offhand ... I can look it up, if not) if anyone other than Stryker makes Vitallium hardware? Their version was the first, I believe, and there was almost NO information on it when I had my surgery in 2/2008 ...

Pam

[Radiogirl]

Vali...yes, that is what I meant. Okay, that makes sense, they contour it to your back shape...hmmm...so interesting!!!

[txmarinemom]

Lenke told me at my pre-op last Wedneday that he is going to use Cobal Steel Rods with titanium screws. But ... I do have a "rod" question. I just assumed the rods are straight and not flexible...but someone here on earlier post mentioned something about them being bendable??? Can someone clear that up for me? Are the rods straight and rigid, or are they bendable?

Thanks!

Laura,

You've seen my surgery photos: Look at the ones where they place the rods and contour them in situ. The rods are straight when they place them, then they sculpt them with those big, honkin' rod benders.

And I'm confused by "Cobal Steel" with titanium screws. Anyone know what system that is?

[titaniumed]

I found a good site. All the info is valuable.

http://www.zimmer.com/ctl?template=P...tion=1&id=9477

http://www.zimmer.com/ctl?template=P...tion=1&id=9478

"stress shielding" is why they just don’t go larger. Implants "need" to be flexable
I suspected, but wasn’t sure.

Ive heard of "COP" but not here on NSF. Its not new, 1977
Vitallium also not new, 1932. Its been around awhile.
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Now that you know more about biomaterials, it is important to understand that material alone is not completely responsible for the success of an implant. Many things must be considered together, including the design of the implant, the surgical technique, the condition of your bones, your overall health, and your activity level.
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All the rods are "bent" at some point. "Peek" rods are not bent, they are molded and are not used for scoliosis.

Cobalt, not Cobal. That’s a typo.

Ed

[txmarinemom]

Cobalt, not Cobal. That’s a typo.

I didn't mean to focus on that, and I apparently lost my train of thought (that's what I get for trying to post and do homework at the same time!).

As I asked, my question about "cobalt steel" was if anyone knew what system that was, but also ...

Aren't titanium pedicle screws incompatible with steel rods?

[titaniumed]

Pam
As far as the incompatibility of steel rods being clamped to Ti screws, that’s a very good question. Extensive testing was done on this. (animal) (rat) Corrosion resistance and biocompatibility are extremely important. We now know that the "strongest" or the most "flexible" material in NOT necessarily the best material. Im glad this thread was started, it answered some of my own questions.

You will be the best masseuse out there, I have no doubt. Its not easy to find good masseuses, it took me awhile to find mine. She didn’t want me to have my surgeries, as she considered them too dangerous. Even though she was great, there is no way I would reverse my decision at this stage. I have absolutely NO pain at all. ZERO. She did the best she could with what was happening to me at the time, diseased bone, diseased discs, collapsing down. My low end was completely shot and had immense levels of pain.

When will you be done with school? Houston scolis are waiting for some relief!
Ed

[osumike]

I have absolutely NO pain at all. ZERO.

Man, thats awesome Ed! I wouldnt know what to do with myself!