5 replies to this topic

[lila]

My brother is a C4 quad and has had neck pain for some time now. He is on a pretty strenuous pain med regime. After his last surgery (Bladder Sphintoroptomy) he had these blinding headaches that could not be attributed to hyper reflexia. The neurosurgeon ordered some current xray's and it is clear that the one screw has broken and is moving away from the actual fusion. The surgeon said it could be the cause of the pain, and he could remove it (the head end of the screw) but it may not have an effect on his pain levels at all. My brother doesn't however, want to wait until a critical situation develops and he has to be rushed into an emergency room, just because he never took any action now. He is healthy now and feels if there is surgery to be done, best to tackle it while he is healthy and not older. The surgeon warned about the infection probability after the op, and obviously the hard won movement in his neck will dissipate under the healing of a new scar. My brother has long wanted this screw removed because it limits the rotation of his head to the one side. He has been injured for 3 years and so has 3 years of recovery and physio behind him.

My question is : has anyone on the forum had their screws removed? Was there an increase in mobility of the neck, etc? Was there any decrease in sensation, at all.

[Tetracyclone]

I have no info for you but best of luck.

[Soryfam]

Seems like having the screw removed is a big decision. I would try to get a few more opinions before doing anything else.

Sandy

[quadinva]

hey lila, i experienced a similar situation, pain and i couldnt turn my head to the right. I had two verticle rods (one on each side of the spinal column) anchored with four screws (one at the top and bottom of each rod). the rods fit into the ancher screws like tinker toys. one of the top screws turned about a quarter turn and released the rod, i have no idea how. the rod moved up my neck and was causing the limited range of motion. i too was given the option to remove the hardware sice the spinal cage had fused and stabilized. I jumped on the opportunity. they cut right on my intial scar except not as long. surgery was an hour and a half maybe and they gave me the option to stay overnight or go home. as i was still new to the sci thing and overly cautius i stayed the night. but i was up and doing everything normally the next day. no adverse effects except pain for a cpl days from gettig cut. but the relief and range of motion gained were well worth it. I say tell him to do it. Good luck either way!

-Bags-

[lila]

quadinva, on 26 January 2011 - 04:15 AM, said:

hey lila, i experienced a similar situation, pain and i couldnt turn my head to the right. I had two verticle rods (one on each side of the spinal column) anchored with four screws (one at the top and bottom of each rod). the rods fit into the ancher screws like tinker toys. one of the top screws turned about a quarter turn and released the rod, i have no idea how. the rod moved up my neck and was causing the limited range of motion. i too was given the option to remove the hardware sice the spinal cage had fused and stabilized. I jumped on the opportunity. they cut right on my intial scar except not as long. surgery was an hour and a half maybe and they gave me the option to stay overnight or go home. as i was still new to the sci thing and overly cautius i stayed the night. but i was up and doing everything normally the next day. no adverse effects except pain for a cpl days from gettig cut. but the relief and range of motion gained were well worth it. I say tell him to do it. Good luck either way!

-Bags-

hi bags

when you say 'relief'in the last line or so of your post, are you referring to relief from living with the pain caused by the injury? how long after the s.c.i did you have the screw removed? how old were you at the time of the op and how did you find the effect of the anaesthetic after the op?

so far, my brother has chatted with one or two other docs and no one is leading any kind of decision. for the most part he seems, ok with leaving it as it is for now, but obviously if it could reduce his present pain levels he would definately consider the surgery.

the idea is that in a few months he could take another xray and just see what has changed, if anything.

thanks for taking the time to reply.
~ lila

[quadinva]

lila, on 12 February 2011 - 09:31 PM, said:

quadinva, on 26 January 2011 - 04:15 AM, said:

hey lila, i experienced a similar situation, pain and i couldnt turn my head to the right. I had two verticle rods (one on each side of the spinal column) anchored with four screws (one at the top and bottom of each rod). the rods fit into the ancher screws like tinker toys. one of the top screws turned about a quarter turn and released the rod, i have no idea how. the rod moved up my neck and was causing the limited range of motion. i too was given the option to remove the hardware sice the spinal cage had fused and stabilized. I jumped on the opportunity. they cut right on my intial scar except not as long. surgery was an hour and a half maybe and they gave me the option to stay overnight or go home. as i was still new to the sci thing and overly cautius i stayed the night. but i was up and doing everything normally the next day. no adverse effects except pain for a cpl days from gettig cut. but the relief and range of motion gained were well worth it. I say tell him to do it. Good luck either way!

-Bags-

hi bags

when you say 'relief'in the last line or so of your post, are you referring to relief from living with the pain caused by the injury? how long after the s.c.i did you have the screw removed? how old were you at the time of the op and how did you find the effect of the anaesthetic after the op?

so far, my brother has chatted with one or two other docs and no one is leading any kind of decision. for the most part he seems, ok with leaving it as it is for now, but obviously if it could reduce his present pain levels he would definately consider the surgery.

the idea is that in a few months he could take another xray and just see what has changed, if anything.

thanks for taking the time to reply.
~ lila

Hey Lila,
By relief i meant as an sci, weve lost so much movement and have so many frustrations. my relief was all incompassing meaning from pain, lack of range of motion, and worry that it would cause further damage deterioration etc. I was 25 when injured, and had the hardware removed about 6 months after at 26. the anesthesia was just like before my injury, no problem. everybody reacts differently to anesthesia so im not sure you can gauge it on my experience, has he every had anesthesia?

bags