Hardware removal

[JoAnn5]

My surgeon suggests removing my 2 rods and 13 screws because they seem to be loosening and irritating. It has been 2 years since my fusion from T4 to S1, and the x-rays and mri show that the fusion is solid.

My questions, will it endanger the correction at all to have the hardware removed? How is this surgery compared to the first one? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks, JoAnn

[LindaRacine]

Hi JoAnn...

There is no way to tell for certain if the fusion is solid. When the implants are removed, a small percentage of people will have their curves return.

If you do a little searching here in the forums (try the words REMOVE, REMOVAL, etc.), you'll find several threads on implant removal. For the most part, people have described the removal surgery as very easy, with complete recovery in 2-3 weeks.

Good luck.

Regards,
Linda

[JoAnn5]

Thanks for replying Linda....

My surgery is now scheduled for Sept. 11. Pre-admit and tests on the day before. Please remember me in your prayers, cause i'm a real chicken when i think about going thru all this again!!

JoAnn

[little crooked]

Joann, I had my hardware removed 1 year after placement. 2 weeks later my curvature was back. The Dr. told me I was fused and it would be ok to remove it. Like Linda said they can not tell, because I was not fused. Less than a month after I had longer rods put in and more screws. I have had problems like anyone I suspect would have after 3 surgeries. I have went through spinal injections and now am feeling better.
I do wish that everything goes ok with your surgery.
little crooked

[JoAnn5]

Hi Little Crooked

I'm sorry about your experience with non-fusion. You are very brave to go thru the instrumentation ordeal a second time!! I really don't know if i could endure it twice, but i suppose you had no choice. It's great that the injections are making you feel better now.

I'm just praying that everything will be solid as a rock when he looks in there, and that having the implants out will help. i'm so tired of hobbling around and wincing and 'ouching'! Have gotten more clumsy too.. have fallen 3-4 times lately I hate getting old!

JoAnn

[felix999]

Hardware removal

Hi,

I had my hardware removed about 7 years ago because the bar came out of the clip. My fusion seems soild and has not progressed according to the doctors and when measured is in the 5 degree plus or minus bracket from the measurement taken after surgery. I do keep a close eye on it as I have a fairly large curve 60 degress and dont want it to progress any more. My surgery says not to worry cause if it does progress he will re-instrument again.

Good luck with the Op.
Amanda

[Karen Ocker]

Hardware removal????

I had an original fusion-without hardware-in 1956-with a year in a cast -age 14. So that fusion must have been solid--right???*!*?

I visited a scoliosis specialist at age 52(Keim). He looked at my x-rays. Said it "looked solid" then proceeded to try to manually test it by externally manuevering my spine. Said it would "not get worse". Seven years later I had trouble breathing after eating a full meal because my chest was compressed. It was obvious to myself and everyone else I was getting worse. The rest is recounted in my signiture.

The reason hardware is put in is to allow for early ambulation(instead of being bedridden like I was,a year in a cast ,waiting for the fusion to solidify) and to support the fusion permanently.

I personally would be afraid to take out the hardware only to be faced with them having to go back in a few years for a revision when my spine aged and collapsed. I would try to have them correct the hardware problem under direct vision and be done with it.

.

[LindaRacine]

Here's the abstract of a new study on implant removal:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/en...ubmed_RVDocSum

[JoAnn5]

Thanks Linda for that interesting article link.... I sure hope and pray that mine doesn't progress or fail in anyway because i think i'd just have to fold on over rather than ever have any more surgery!

Although this removal surgery was much less drastic than the original 3 surgeries to implant the hardware, it was still tough enough. I don't want any more EVER!

The dr. went in the old posterior incision from top to bottom again and having such a long incision is hard.... esp. in the area around my bottom.... try sitting on those metal staples that are stuck across the most tender place .... ukkkk!!! And muscle spasms this time were worse than after the original surgery. I sometimes have to cry out loud and feel as if my back will snap in two. I told my hubby those were worse than any labor pains i ever had!!!

On the positive side, though, I am walking more upright and with less pain than before the revision.... I think with increased mobility, the muscle pain will lessen soon.

Thanks for all the kind wishes and prayers.... (((hugs))) JoAnn