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

[OldRelic]

Hi, As promised here are the results of my most recent MRI. It appears that after 3 spinal operations Scar Tissue is now to blame for my loss sensation and weakness in my right leg. The recent MRI 1/06/12 confirms right L4-5 paracentral enhancing material around the budding L5 nerve root. My Musculoskeletal Physician discussed the possibility of doing a right L5 transforaminal injection targeting it at the L5-S1 transforaminal space rather than L4-5 where the scar tissue is. I am unconvinced that having a transforaminal injection would be of any lasting benefit other than a possible reduction in pain for a temporary period.

[Harrington49]

Thanks for responding to my message.  Could you e-mail me.  My e-mail address is ***@****?  I had some questions for you.  Good luck to you on your MRI results on Friday.  I am also glad that you have had some relief from your pain, although I am sorry that you are having to go to a wheelchair.  I hope it will only be temporary.  Hope to hear from you later, after you get your MRI results.  Thanks, Linda

[OldRelic]

Hi Linda,  Its is nine weeks since I had my rods and screws removed. I can report the pain is substantially less. But, I am experiencing increasing weakness and decreasing sensation in my right leg. I am now using a frame to assist me in walking and I have been measured for a wheelchair. I do not have the strength to lift my right leg when walking and I shuffle along like a victim of a stroke. Every step I take zaps my energy and I am limited to where I can go. I had another MRI and Friday June 1 and will know the results Friday June 8. I will post further news as it happens.

[Harrington49]

I had my Harrington rod removed 3 weeks ago, and the pain that I have endured since it was removed has been wose than my worst pain experienced when I had the rod in (for 32 years).  As to how it will be later, after my 6 weeks postop period, I can't say.  I believe it is going to be a long, slow gradual process, and wish I had got a second or third opinion before I had this operation.  Make sure your rods need to come out before taking them out is my advice.  Get a second and third opinion.

[jkay510]

Barb306,

I'm contemplating having the 2 rods removed from my L5/S1 fusion surgery and have a couple of questions:
  - was it in or outpatient?
  - recovery period?

Thanks.

              John K.

[Harrington49]

Hi, I had my Harrington rod removed 3 weeks ago and I have been searching for support from other people who are basically in the same boat as me, and I see there are a lot of people out there hurting with severe pain and disability (a true nightmare).  Since, you also had your rod out recently, I wanted to get in touch with you for support.

At 3 weeks postop, I thought the pain would be better than before the Harrington rod was taken out but instead the pain is worse at this time, and it is a real struggle to walk.  Pain and muscle spasms in thoracic and lumbar pain with pain shooting down my left leg, where it is a struggle to walk at times and knee pain.  I found out Medicaid will not pay for physical therapy and I do not see my surgeon until June 21st where they will take an AP x-ray and then if things are not better go through an MRI where he will probably want to do more surgery.  I am scared beyond belief and wanting to know what to expect.  My surgeon is 3.5 hours from me so I can't just drive over there and have to call in all problems to his secretary, so this further frustrates me.  I am on hydrocodone and Flexeril and feel like a zombie.  

I wanted to know how you are doing and if you have seen any improvement since you had the rod and hooks removed.

Thanks, Linda