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

[Lovesummer68]

I had scoliosis surgery in 1981 when I was 13 I was having back and leg problems and told to have the Harrington rods removed
I was in my early 30s for that surgery. I was told during the surgery there was a problem w the nerves which is common and rebelled Dystonia, not a good thing to live with. I now have Botox injected into my Leah's so they don't turn in (toes go to my heel. At 1st I didn't notice much of a difference and over time my back and leg problems got a lot worse.. After doing all that can be done from PT and epidural the only option I had was getting a Spinal Cord Stimulator, I'm now 50. I only had it done 4 weeks ago and finally I'm getting some comfort. However, since I had a spinal fusion the Dr's had to remove nearly 4 inches of bone, yes that surgery was quite Painful. This will only help w my pain three damage to my legs being tight is caused by atrophy and is very difficult and mostly can't be cured. I had the permanent SCS done so I can be in less pain but for the damage done it will always be there.

[specialmom]

Wow, lovesummer68, thank you for sharing.  20 years of the pain after your surgery?  I'm glad the stimulator is helping.  Is there anything you'd do differently now looking back?  How do you get on with this chronic situation?  Do you have a good support system?  Glad you found us.  

[chook_chook]

sanctimonious git!!

[chook_chook]

sanctimonious git!!

[kea1987]

Hello everyone,

I am 3.5 weeks into my recovery after having the fixations and metalwork removed from my lumbar spine.

The surgeon got all of the metalwork out and was very happy with how the operation went :-)

Huge plus points for me are that my amazing surgeon conducted the procedure without leaving me paralysed.

I was in huge pain post op, and panicked that I had done the wrong thing, but the amazing nursing staff reassured me that this was normal post op, so the next few days were survived with morphene injections, followed by a few days suffering the effects of having had the morphene! I have had days of greatly reduced pain, and some days of worse pain, but am having physiotherapy to help stretch and strengthen the spinal muscles that have not moved or worked for 4.5years!

I'm scared, but am keeping myself positive.

If anyone has any information, advice or feedback relating to post op recovery and rehabilitation for the removal of spinal fixations I would be so grateful to know it.

Kind regards,
Keara

[vrjim]

How's your recovery now, eight months post op?

[PECULIAR800]

How is your back pain?
I have ongoing pain after having  a plif in 2007 on l4/5 s1 I'm pretty sure the screw or rods is hitting a nerve .

[kea1987]

Removing of Spinal Fixation

Hi, to anyone who will find this helpful, this weekend I received my date for the operation to remove the fixations on my spine (Vertebrae l2-5); it's very short notice - Wednesday 7th Oct, tomorrow! So I had 4 days notice to get ready for it! Yikes!

I'm a mixture of emotions, but mainly between excited and scared.
- This is what I've been waiting for and fighting for for 4.5 years now. With everything checked and nothing found to be wrong and causing the pain I'm in 24/7, my instinct tells me my fixed vertebrae and the 'scaffolding' in my back to fix them is what's causing it. Although nervous, I am positive.

I will be on here as soon as I can to update you all on the outcome of the operation. I've been told that I should be in hospital for roughly 2-4 days post-op, but it does all depend on how things go.

Hope and pray for me please :-)

Best regards,
Keara

[specialmom]

So, it has been awhile.  Would love to know how you are doing!  Any chance of coming back and giving an update to help others?

[kea1987]

tallguy86

Thanks for your reply.

My more extreme pain started about 6 months post op.
I have always wanted to try every option available before surgery for removal due to the risks involved, but having exhausted all the options - scans and physio - my surgeon has decided to remove the metalwork (or at least the spinal fixation - he feels the pain is caused by the stress put onto the parts of my spine above and below the part that can't bend; although I want removal of as much metalwork as is safely possibly, given that I don't think my body is happy having it in there.)

I hate taking pain meds as they are so damaging to my health, but I cannot function without them.
However, even with taking them, the constant pain makes my quality of life is far from acceptable.

It has been a huge source of support to know that there are other people out there going through the same thing, as much as I wish we were not.

KPK24

I don't think I'm of much help on referring to doctors as I like in the UK, but just in case, my consultant works for the RVI in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

I also am searching for success stories, in order to feel more positively assured that I am making the right decision - even though I know that this is what my body is telling me to do, and that success is possible despite all the terrifying risks - most serious of which for me is that this doesn't take away the pain, as this is all I have left.


If I go through with the op, I will post on here after to pass on the outcomes, good or bad.

Keara

[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.***@****

[Zac_1998]

I just put a sheet on my bed and I'm from the pain I really need help

[Zac_1998]

How was the removal of your fusion I want to get this done

[Zac_1998]

I as riding in a go-kart when it rolled i flew out first hitting my skull on the roll bar wich caused me to break my neck c1-c3 are fused together they told me it would never come out this happened August 4th 2012 and it's now giving me sevare headaches every day the past two months I can barely move my neck to either side and have missed 25 days of school already this year due to pain.

[graveyard_tan]

How are you doing now, after the hardware removal?

[graveyard_tan]

Hi there db1278, it's been 6 years since I had my L5-S1 fusion, and I've been in constant pain ever since.  I'm still in pain management, and on fentynal and norco.  I really want my hardware out.  Is it worth it?  How are you doing now??

~Heather

[Kfayles]

Had a spinal fusion. Cadged with rod placement in 2997 the pain now is awful experiencing upper back pain also...has anyone had there Cage and rods removed..L1L2L34 S1s2.....I can not tke this pain sick of living on pain MEDS and pathes..any suggestions ??!Any ??

[Shrek314]

In June, 2012, I was admitted to the hospital with severs lower back pain. After an MRI it was determined that I had osteomyelitis. I was placed on Vanco and cubicin, and after 1 1/2 months, the pain became unbearable. Another MRI was done and I was informed my spine  from L1 to L5 was totally destroyed. I saw the images and immediately began to cry.
  I was 34, a carpenter, and knew after seeing the extent of the damage that I would never work again, and possibly never WALK again.
I underwent  a fusion, ( L1 - L5) and had two rods and approx 12 screws implanted immediately following the second MRI.
Two months later, while still hospitalized, my back became infected again, and once again my spine was opened up and manually drained, the antibiotics weren't effectively fighting the infection.
  All said, I spent 9 months in the hospital, was discharged, went to detox, and after two months of agony, decided to try suboxone as a pain killer. I used this medication for 14 months, until a month ago. I began experiencing severe pain again in my lower back, went to my local er, had an MRI, and was immediately transferred by ambulance to a hospital in Las Vegas where they were more equipped to handle my situation.
  After two days and, they recommended a CT guided drain, to remove some fluid from what they believed to be an abscess. I was also informed my hardware was incredibly infected.
During the drain procedure, (a 45min) procedure, apparently a piece of catheter broke off in my back, and after four hours looking for it, they revived me, gave me an hour to recoup, then put me under and began a six hour hunt for the missing piece of equipment. All said, I went in at eleven a.m for a 45min procedure, and came out of surgery 15 hours later... Not fun. Now, one week from my discharge, I've been informed that they want to remove the hardware from my back tomorrow, and they didn't give me much time to consider the ramifications of this decision. I've seen my vertebrae, they're mangled and ruined, and knowing I have the rods was comforting, and the thought of them not there to reinforce my damaged spine is disconcerting to say the least.
I'm 34 yrs old and quite honestly terrified. I will be having the removal tomorrow 5/19/14, should I decide to go through with it. I will inform anyone on this page with honest answers to genuine questions should they find themselves in a situation similar to mine.

[Neenqueen]

so sad to hear that. I actually was in a car accident and broke my back at 18 years old and had S1-L5 fused. I was unable to walk for weeks, and had to learn all over again. I was in the hospital for 3 months doing therapy. I have dropfoot in both foots so I am unable to life my ankle. I feel the exact pain you do and its nice to know I am not the only one out there experiencing this. I take norcos for pain and a muscle relaxer, but nothing takes it away fully. I feel you on the job thing too I am almost 23 now and if I work a 8hr shift im dieing so I can only imagine your position. I have been thinking about getting my rods removed as well and wanted others opinions, so good luck and please keep me updated on how it goes.

[tat72]

I had a spinal fusion and rod L4 S1 in June of 2011. I wish I never had this done, in pain everyday live on pain med which I hate! I have been told they can take the hardware out, but than what:( I'm 41 yrs old and full of energy! They tell me I'm not allowed to run,twist,bend. I'm suppose to live like a darn robot. I use to have my own painting& drywall business and I miss it so much!! So I moved to Florida about 2-3 weeks ago with my family n girlfriend. And I'm still
waking up in pain and throughout the day! I wanna scream!! I don't care what the docs say I'm starting my business back up n living life! And iam getting this rod out of my back! Prayers for everyone on here I know ur pain all too well!!

[JCFIT]

I had spinal fusion in Oct 2010 without rods (L5-S1).  I specifically requested no rods to be put in but I do have a metal plate in the front. I do have some pain in the fusion site but it has gotten better in the long run. I found that by taking my nutritional intake and exercise very serious was a main key. I currently run between 10-15 miles per week, maintain strength training, and see a chiropractor on a weekly basis. I'm not pain free but I'm better and doing my best to strive for being pain free. One thing I know is if you want to be fat and lazy, there's no surgery in the world that's going to help. You need to take control. If its too late for you in your health with back pain associated with a painful fusion, then I suggest you become saved by Christ Jesus and seek healing. Read psalms 51, 103 and Isaiah 53 then go to a church that understands healing and hope for the best. I know one thing. If you think that a spinal fusion is going to take care of the pain without doing anything you are wrong! Your body can only adapt if YOU condition it to adapt - exercise weight loss strong core etc. it takes about 3-4 years to achieve best results and once you've reached the point of being able to excercise, 1 year of serious commitment, with a doctors / chiropractors supervision- it's a must. Take care everyone, I hope I helped.
JC

[chico747]

I am in the same boat. had a spinal fusion in 2009.i have had 42 surgeries, including 8 knee replacements, screws in shoulder, and hip surgery. I want to have the rods out, because I can't stand up straight. I feel for you, and not knowing what to do. I am on morphine, dilaudid, soma, Xanax, zanaflex. and I hate it. it is going to be so hard to get off of them, as I have been taking pain meds, ever since my waterskiing accident. I would like to know if taking the rods out, is going to be as bad as having them in.

[Conniegill53]

I have the rods too. And when I hurt which is very min I am up. It is right where the rods are. I want them out. I really do believe that my back hurts cause of them...Good luck on your surgery I hope it will work for you...