Broken Rod

[tae_tap]

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

[leahdragonfly]

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

[mabeckoff]

So sorry to hear that.

I have had many broken rods and they are very painful

Good luck

Melissa

[titaniumed]

Tam

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

Let us know......

Ed

[jackieg412]

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

[tae_tap]

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.

[jackieg412]

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.

[golfnut]

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

[susancook]

Tam, Welcome to the "Broken Rod Club". So sorry that this happened to you and somehow hope that the remedy comes soon.
Susan

[titaniumed]

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

[Pooka1]

That's a nice bunny! OMG.

[titaniumed]

Ok, one more....LOL

I need coffee

Ed

[titaniumed]

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

[jackieg412]

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!

[Pooka1]

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