Anyone experience the removal of rods after spinal fusion?

[arawlings]

My daughter was involved in a car accident in Jan 05, she was 15 years old at the time, she had her L4, L5 fused, and was told she would be fine after she healed.  However she has been experiencing back pain, and her legs will not go straight out when in a sitting position, the doctor says that her hamstrings are tight, and she needs to stretch them out.  She has been doing stretch exercises for 2 years now with no sign of improvements, the pain is getting worse and she is getting cortisone shots in her back every 3 weeks, until she is scheduled for surgery to have the rods removed. Now she is starting to experience pain after the injections, she is 18 years old and misses so much school due to pain, does anyone have any suggestions

[tallguy86]

Kea1987,

I have had harrington rods for 16 years, it's worst seasonally, and mostly in the last 7-8 years... I asked two surgeons who both basically said it's not an option  and tried to get me to take a bunch of pain killers.

But i know these will just lead to more problems.

Pain is now a part of my life, but what i miss the most is the freedom.

If anyone has any success story, or can refer to experienced doctors in the matter i want to hear, please contact me.

[KPK24]

COULD U PLEASE HELP ME AS FAR AS THE DR. THAT WILL BE REMOVING YOUR HARDWARE ?? I WOULD APPRECIATE IT ...

[KPK24]

I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY BACK.... I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR DRS. WHO ARE VERY QUAIFIED TO REMOVE MY SCREWS AN RODS...COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE WITH ME WHAT DR. IS WORKING WITH YOU??  

[kea1987]

Hi barb306,

yours is a hugely hopeful story to read - I had spinal fusion with titanium rods and pedicle screws in March of 2011 and have suffered from increasing pain since about 6 months afterwards. I cannot go on with my life as it is, and after trying all the alternatives, my consultant surgeon has given me the option of having the metalwork removed.

Along with the risks of paralysis, etc, he warned me that this may not take away my pain - I am unsure why as I don't see what else could be causing the pain. As I have this huge decision to make, any information is a blessing for me. Reading your positive outcome gives me hope, if you are willing and able to, I would be forever grateful if you would be able to message me on here, or find me on Facebook - surname Kerr, I live in Chester-le-Street, UK

Kindest regards, Keara

[kea1987]

hi everybody,

I am currently deciding whether or not to get my metalwork removed to try and help with the constant pain, and am reading lots of horrible accounts of how this has gone for other people.

I'm quite terrified as this is the only option I have left.
Has ANYONE had a positive outcome after metalwork removal?
PLEASE please message me or feel free to find me on Facebook: surname Kerr in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.

My thoughts and offerings of support and strength are with every one of you going though this hellish nightmare.

Keara

[kea1987]

Hi fogkorn123, (and anyone this is of use for or could offer any info)

wow I know the hell you're in - granted not with the morphene withdrawal but being in constant pain. I fractured L2 and L4 vertebrae in March 2011 from a fall. They operated to fix my spine from L1 - L5. After a few months the tight feeling progressed to pain which has developed and increased, resulting in a few trips to A&E and constant misery for me and my ever-suffering husband!

Many medical professionals from A&E doctors to multiple physios, have described me as having sciatic symptoms, pointing towards something irritating my sciatic nerve - my thinking is this can surely only be the foreign bodies of the metalwork in there.

Having tried all that was recommended my surgeon finally has come to the option of taking the metalwork out if I want. So from my knowledge of my own situation, this should be possible for you as long as your breaks are healed. The 2 huge possible downsides are that:
1) the pain may not go away (I have yet to get to the bottom of why but will try to at my next appointment, as if the fixation is causing the pain, why shouldn't removing them stop the pain? and if they aren't, then what on earth is?? They've done all the scans and tests!)
2) the operation can cause paralysis, incontinence and all those awful things. Having lived with the knowledge of this 2nd possibility for the last 4 years, I am now sadly seeing them as a more positive option than the pain. What really scares me is the pain still being there, with possibly no further options to treat it.

At a young 28 this is an extra scary situation. But I feel I have no option but to try having the metalwork removed. My surgeon explained that having part of the spine fixed can put extreme pressure on the spine below and above the fixed part - as below is exactly where I experience the worst pain, I severely hope that having the spine freed will help me!

GOODLUCK! and let me know how you get on if you don't mind, as I will you.
my email is keara.re.***@****