Does broken rod = revision surgery?

[Mom of 4]

Hi everyone! I am almost 2 years post-op from a T4-sacrum fusion. The last two years have gone very well so I thought I was good. Last Saturday, while standing in our motorhome, I reached across the passenger seat to put my coffee in the cupholder and I heard a pop followed by lots of pain. X-rays showed 1 of the 3 rods in the lumbar spine fractured with no loss of alignment. The pain is worse than pre-surgery because it is more acute, rather than a generalized ache. I'm seeing Dr. Lenke on Tuesday and wondering how this type of thing is usually treated. Can anyone share your experience? Thank you so much!

[LindaRacine]

Hi....

Broken rods usually result in surgery, but not always. Sometimes, rods break even after fusion has completed. (I suspect this actually happens in longer than average fusion rate. That is, the patient fuses slowly, putting a lot of stress on the implants. After the patient finally fuses, the micro movements that naturally occur allow the rod(s) to finally break.)

If your pain continues, you'll probably need another surgery. The good news is that surgery to fix a single area of non-fusion and replacement of a rod is a walk in the park in comparison to the original surgery.

Good luck!

--Linda

[Mom of 4]

Thanks so much, Linda! That’s very encouraging!!

[leahdragonfly]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear this has happened to you. Try to take it easy until you see Dr Lenke, as it is easy to have a severe pain flair after breaking a rod. It is also very common to have the other rod break within a few weeks. This happened to me on two separate occasions.

Every surgery has it’s challenges, but I agree with Linda the broken rod surgeries, while not fun, aren’t as painful as the original surgery since everything is already straightened.

Best of luck,

Gayle

[Mom of 4]

Thanks for responding, Gayle! I’m taking it easy because the pain is significant and I don’t want to make it worse. Your words and Linda’s are encouraging!!

[golfnut]

It's good that you don't have to wait too long to see Dr. Lenke, especially since you're having so much pain. I am 7 years post-op, but still realize is a possibility of breaking a rod. Let us know what you find out On Tuesday.

[Mom of 4]

Hi Karen! Since things have been going so smoothly for me, I've been in complete denial about rod breakage. I do feel very fortunate that I was able to get in to see Dr. Lenke so quickly. The gentleman that scheduled it told me several times how lucky I was because "he never has cancellations!!"

Dr. Lenke gave me a short-term prescription for Tramadol for pain and advised physical therapy to strengthen my core. He said there is a 50/50 chance of another rod(s) breaking and needing revision surgery. At this point I'm hoping I am just healing slowly at that level, but will eventually fully fuse. He said in recent years surgeons have started using 3, even 4 rods. During the time when just 2 rods were used, I would have had an 80% chance of breaking the other rod and needing revision surgery.

Negativity is never a good thing, so I'm trying to stay positive. It's not working at the moment...

[golfnut]

I just sent you a long reply and lost it all. I hope that you don't have to have revision surgery, but if you do, you are in good hands with Dr. Lenke. At least those who have had revision surgery, have given you encouragement that it's not as tough as the original surgery. Hang in there!

[susancook]

I broke both of my rods and in the revision surgery, Dr. Hart gave me 5 rods. He said that it takes the stress off of each rod. They are sort of tandem.
Here's hoping that you don't need further surgery.
Susan

[Mom of 4]

Susan, 5 rods sounds like a safer bet!!

Sadly, I broke a second rod yesterday. Waiting to hear what’s next.

[titaniumed]

Nancy, I am so sorry this happened.....This bone growing process is not an exact science, its one of the things we have to worry about as adults doing scoliosis surgeries.

There have been a few rod breakers here through the years, and they all seem to come through with flying colors.

Susan had the heavy duty lumbar setup done....Hard to forget those x-rays....

I am also an RV'r so I will be careful with the coffee. I take it you were setting the cup down on the doghouse? If so, that quite a bend.

Be sure to let us know what happens....

Ed

[Mom of 4]

Thanks for making me smile, Ed!! You have such a way with words.

I was reaching across the seat to put the coffee underneath the passenger window, by the arm rest.. I thought it odd to break then because I’ve done far worse. I guess I’ll need to be much more careful and up my nutrition. I’ve never smoked, so that’s not the problem.

Headed back to NYC for a CT and blood work. Surgery scheduled for Tuesday 2/27 thanks to a cancellation. Very thankful, but anxious too!

[LindaRacine]

Thanks for making me smile, Ed!! You have such a way with words.

I was reaching across the seat to put the coffee underneath the passenger window, by the arm rest.. I thought it odd to break then because I’ve done far worse. I guess I’ll need to be much more careful and up my nutrition. I’ve never smoked, so that’s not the problem.

Headed back to NYC for a CT and blood work. Surgery scheduled for Tuesday 2/27 thanks to a cancellation. Very thankful, but anxious too!

I've heard it hundreds of time... breaking a rod is like breaking a paperclip. When the paperclip is bent back and forth several times, it will eventually break without any additional stress.

[susancook]

Susan, 5 rods sounds like a safer bet!!

Sadly, I broke a second rod yesterday. Waiting to hear what’s next.

Sorry about the second broken rod, been there broke 2 also. I would post a picture of my totally awesome 5 rod back, but do not have proficiency in posting photos.
I know that you will be glad when your rods are replaced and you can get back to life....pun intended.
Susan

[titaniumed]

I thought it odd to break then because I’ve done far worse. I guess I’ll need to be much more careful and up my nutrition.

By the testimonials here, it seems that bending over and reaching "can act" as a catalyst in breaking things (in adults).....I have stopped these sorts of activities because I just don't want to take that chance now that I'm getting older. Been staying vertical with reduced forces...(Model on runway balancing book on head) I am not lifting much anymore, its just way better to get somebody else to help out.

Dr Hu wrote an article about nutritional requirements during our recoveries, and "we are" nutritionally taxed after our surgeries, so yes, its very important to eat correctly, small amounts and often through the day. Diet takes a lot of discipline but it was psychologically important for me to adopt a "nutritional healing attitude". I would ask myself, "What can I eat that will promote healing?" Its an attitude...Be sure to let us know how things go with your revision. I don't think you need to worry, you will do just fine.

Susan, I do have your x-rays. I don't save many, but I do have yours since they are so special. If you want me to post them here, I can do that if you wish. I can also send them to you if you lost them.

Ed