Hi Everyone,
Is there anyone who has had hardware removed. I am T-10, 1 year post injury, and I can't stand the pain, anymore. I don't want to take pain medication for the rest of my life. I am convinced the pain is from the rods and the screws. Doc said I am too thin and that is why I am feeling the hardware. Did a CT and the doc said he could remove it. Said no guarantee the pain will go away and no guarantee he will be able to take it out once he gets in there and looks at things.
So I am at a cross road. Would like to know if anyone else has had hardware removed. If yes, was it beneficial. And WHY are all the doctors against removing it? Hoping for some help.
Thank you
Kris
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Surgery
Started by
1heart4u
, Jul 08 2007 04:47 PM
8 replies to this topic
Top#2
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Posted 08 July 2007 - 05:20 PM
Hi Kris....
I've had hardware removed...after 20 yrs. (made a windchime out of mine
) I then went about 13 yrs. without it and later had more put in. But my hardware served a dual purpose...to ensure the fusion, but also to support my scoliosis which is considered to be severe...so our situations are a little different.
Aside from scoliosis issues, my understanding is that the hardware will have served their purpose once the fusion is deemed complete. If not causing any problems, it can be left in indefinitely....but removal can be an option if it's causing problems.
I've read others' accounts on hardware removal on other spiney boards, and it seems that many people benefit from the removal of painful hardware. Still, it's no minor undertaking in itself....and probably why the doctors aren't crazy about removing it unless absolutely necessary.
Don't you just hate these kinds of decisions? I know I do.
I don't blame you for seeking out pain relief...whatever form that may take. It may make all the difference....or it may change nothing. Chances are, it won't make things worse anyway....barring any surgical complications that are always part and parcel to these sorts of things.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have, if I can.
I've had hardware removed...after 20 yrs. (made a windchime out of mine
) I then went about 13 yrs. without it and later had more put in. But my hardware served a dual purpose...to ensure the fusion, but also to support my scoliosis which is considered to be severe...so our situations are a little different. Aside from scoliosis issues, my understanding is that the hardware will have served their purpose once the fusion is deemed complete. If not causing any problems, it can be left in indefinitely....but removal can be an option if it's causing problems.
I've read others' accounts on hardware removal on other spiney boards, and it seems that many people benefit from the removal of painful hardware. Still, it's no minor undertaking in itself....and probably why the doctors aren't crazy about removing it unless absolutely necessary.
Don't you just hate these kinds of decisions? I know I do.
I don't blame you for seeking out pain relief...whatever form that may take. It may make all the difference....or it may change nothing. Chances are, it won't make things worse anyway....barring any surgical complications that are always part and parcel to these sorts of things.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have, if I can.
* * * * * * * * *
Female. Incomplete para following a cord stroke in '03. Spina-bifida, severe scoliosis. 18 surgeries total...five spine-related: Three fusions w/hardware, two tethered cord releases.
Female. Incomplete para following a cord stroke in '03. Spina-bifida, severe scoliosis. 18 surgeries total...five spine-related: Three fusions w/hardware, two tethered cord releases.
#3
1heart4u
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Posted 08 July 2007 - 10:48 PM
Joed, on Jul 8 2007, 05:20 PM, said:
Hi Kris....
I've had hardware removed...after 20 yrs. (made a windchime out of mine ) I then went about 13 yrs. without it and later had more put in. But my hardware served a dual purpose...to ensure the fusion, but also to support my scoliosis which is considered to be severe...so our situations are a little different.
Aside from scoliosis issues, my understanding is that the hardware will have served their purpose once the fusion is deemed complete. If not causing any problems, it can be left in indefinitely....but removal can be an option if it's causing problems.
I've read others' accounts on hardware removal on other spiney boards, and it seems that many people benefit from the removal of painful hardware. Still, it's no minor undertaking in itself....and probably why the doctors aren't crazy about removing it unless absolutely necessary.
Don't you just hate these kinds of decisions? I know I do.
I don't blame you for seeking out pain relief...whatever form that may take. It may make all the difference....or it may change nothing. Chances are, it won't make things worse anyway....barring any surgical complications that are always part and parcel to these sorts of things.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have, if I can.
I've had hardware removed...after 20 yrs. (made a windchime out of mine
) I then went about 13 yrs. without it and later had more put in. But my hardware served a dual purpose...to ensure the fusion, but also to support my scoliosis which is considered to be severe...so our situations are a little different. Aside from scoliosis issues, my understanding is that the hardware will have served their purpose once the fusion is deemed complete. If not causing any problems, it can be left in indefinitely....but removal can be an option if it's causing problems.
I've read others' accounts on hardware removal on other spiney boards, and it seems that many people benefit from the removal of painful hardware. Still, it's no minor undertaking in itself....and probably why the doctors aren't crazy about removing it unless absolutely necessary.
Don't you just hate these kinds of decisions? I know I do.
I don't blame you for seeking out pain relief...whatever form that may take. It may make all the difference....or it may change nothing. Chances are, it won't make things worse anyway....barring any surgical complications that are always part and parcel to these sorts of things.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have, if I can.
Did the removal of the hardware relieve pain?
#4 *Lodge_Moor_Lout*
*Lodge_Moor_Lout*
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Posted 08 July 2007 - 10:54 PM
Hi, I've got a couple of Harrington Rods which were fitted in 1987. One worked a bit loose - somehow I bent it - but I was told unless they were causing a real problem they were best left in as all the muscles will have grown around them.
I used to get quite a lot of bad back pain which gradually went away and now all I get is little more than an ache if I do something I shouldn't.
I went to hospital for a check once and there was a bloke in there who had been a patient at the same time as me who also had Rods and had just had them taken out. I think one had either broken or become unfixed. He told me it hurt more than when he'd broken his back. I would like mine out but don't really fancy the idea of an operation.
My theory is that over the years muscles and stuff have grown where they have been needed. This is because I used to get the pain above my injury, where the rod was fixed. Does any of this make sense?
Everybodys injury is slightly different even though they may be in the same place. Hope this has helped, although it probably hasn't !
I used to get quite a lot of bad back pain which gradually went away and now all I get is little more than an ache if I do something I shouldn't.
I went to hospital for a check once and there was a bloke in there who had been a patient at the same time as me who also had Rods and had just had them taken out. I think one had either broken or become unfixed. He told me it hurt more than when he'd broken his back. I would like mine out but don't really fancy the idea of an operation.
My theory is that over the years muscles and stuff have grown where they have been needed. This is because I used to get the pain above my injury, where the rod was fixed. Does any of this make sense?
Everybodys injury is slightly different even though they may be in the same place. Hope this has helped, although it probably hasn't !
#5
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Posted 09 July 2007 - 09:08 PM
Quote
Did the removal of the hardware relieve pain?
Mine wasn't removed due to pain issues. Still to this day I'm not clear on why it was removed. I suspect that they saw obsolete hardware, health insurance coverage, and the dollar signs started dinging.
Hardware removal will cause bone bleeding, which can be significant. And then the shift of stresses placed on your spine without the benefit of hardware will cause some initial pain following removal.
I think Lodge_Moor_Lout's experience with pain reduction over time might be something to strongly consider before opting for surgery/removal. But I don't know what intensity of pain you're in right now either.
My pain didn't subside in any real way until about 2-3 yrs. after my surgeries (which also included cord surgery). I don't know how much of my pain was from the hardware and how much from having my cord yanked upon. But you're still early in the healing process...if you can tolerate it, I think a 'wait and see' approach would be the best to take at this point.
I wish you well....
* * * * * * * * *
Female. Incomplete para following a cord stroke in '03. Spina-bifida, severe scoliosis. 18 surgeries total...five spine-related: Three fusions w/hardware, two tethered cord releases.
Female. Incomplete para following a cord stroke in '03. Spina-bifida, severe scoliosis. 18 surgeries total...five spine-related: Three fusions w/hardware, two tethered cord releases.
#7
Susi
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Posted 10 July 2007 - 12:14 PM
Hi Kris
I can try and help your decision a bit from what experience I have had. My fellow quad had at the time of his accident broken his shoulder and collarbone in the accident. Besides his fusion, he also had hardware for his shoulder/collarbone.
He started experiencing some pain +- 2yrs after accident. A friend of his told him he took his hardware out due to the pain factor. Well my friend decided to take his out as well. Now our fusion operations were inserted with titanium plates and screws, and cost a lot. We were told at the time that although we had bone grafts as well, this would enhance the area of fused discs and also can be left in lifelong. Also whatever happens, it would be nigh impossible to injure that site. Well he had all his hardware removed including the titanium plate and consequently, not 6 weeks after his op, he fell out of his wheelchair and re-broke his shoulder, collarbone. He is now in more pain than before and in hindsight should have exercised caution and listened to neurosurgeon. So I am still 4yrs post-op still living with my plate although everything has healed but would rather have peace of mind knowing that that area cannot get injured again.
It all depends i suppose on your level of pain. Also on the hardware put in, is it of high quality that lasts lifelong or does it have to come out after a certain number of years?
Hope this helps somewhat. Talk again to a neurosurgeon with SCI knowledge, to guage what they say. Good luck, and keep on shining.
I can try and help your decision a bit from what experience I have had. My fellow quad had at the time of his accident broken his shoulder and collarbone in the accident. Besides his fusion, he also had hardware for his shoulder/collarbone.
He started experiencing some pain +- 2yrs after accident. A friend of his told him he took his hardware out due to the pain factor. Well my friend decided to take his out as well. Now our fusion operations were inserted with titanium plates and screws, and cost a lot. We were told at the time that although we had bone grafts as well, this would enhance the area of fused discs and also can be left in lifelong. Also whatever happens, it would be nigh impossible to injure that site. Well he had all his hardware removed including the titanium plate and consequently, not 6 weeks after his op, he fell out of his wheelchair and re-broke his shoulder, collarbone. He is now in more pain than before and in hindsight should have exercised caution and listened to neurosurgeon. So I am still 4yrs post-op still living with my plate although everything has healed but would rather have peace of mind knowing that that area cannot get injured again.
It all depends i suppose on your level of pain. Also on the hardware put in, is it of high quality that lasts lifelong or does it have to come out after a certain number of years?
Hope this helps somewhat. Talk again to a neurosurgeon with SCI knowledge, to guage what they say. Good luck, and keep on shining.
#8
xeena
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Posted 18 July 2007 - 07:06 PM
I'm 5 years Post up and still have the Hard ware.I do have some discomfort when i sit without any support on the back for a long time.I actually didnt know i could take the hardware out until i read this thread.However i dont think i will,i dont wanna have scoliosis later on likea friendofmine now does.
My ADVICE is that you allow them for a bit ,if you canthen take them out...
My ADVICE is that you allow them for a bit ,if you canthen take them out...
#9
Char
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Posted 06 January 2009 - 02:40 AM
Joed, on Jul 8 2007, 10:20 AM, said:
Hi Kris....
I've had hardware removed...after 20 yrs. (made a windchime out of mine ) I then went about 13 yrs. without it and later had more put in. But my hardware served a dual purpose...to ensure the fusion, but also to support my scoliosis which is considered to be severe...so our situations are a little different.
Aside from scoliosis issues, my understanding is that the hardware will have served their purpose once the fusion is deemed complete. If not causing any problems, it can be left in indefinitely....but removal can be an option if it's causing problems.
I've read others' accounts on hardware removal on other spiney boards, and it seems that many people benefit from the removal of painful hardware. Still, it's no minor undertaking in itself....and probably why the doctors aren't crazy about removing it unless absolutely necessary.
Don't you just hate these kinds of decisions? I know I do.
I don't blame you for seeking out pain relief...whatever form that may take. It may make all the difference....or it may change nothing. Chances are, it won't make things worse anyway....barring any surgical complications that are always part and parcel to these sorts of things.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have, if I can.
I've had hardware removed...after 20 yrs. (made a windchime out of mine
) I then went about 13 yrs. without it and later had more put in. But my hardware served a dual purpose...to ensure the fusion, but also to support my scoliosis which is considered to be severe...so our situations are a little different. Aside from scoliosis issues, my understanding is that the hardware will have served their purpose once the fusion is deemed complete. If not causing any problems, it can be left in indefinitely....but removal can be an option if it's causing problems.
I've read others' accounts on hardware removal on other spiney boards, and it seems that many people benefit from the removal of painful hardware. Still, it's no minor undertaking in itself....and probably why the doctors aren't crazy about removing it unless absolutely necessary.
Don't you just hate these kinds of decisions? I know I do.
I don't blame you for seeking out pain relief...whatever form that may take. It may make all the difference....or it may change nothing. Chances are, it won't make things worse anyway....barring any surgical complications that are always part and parcel to these sorts of things.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have, if I can.
I am considering scoliosis surgery in may. it would be from the front and back for a fusion from t10 down to pelvis. how well did your surgery work to the curve? i also have pelvic obliquity. my curve is 55 degrees right now ands my old hardware would be replaced after 16 years. what are the pros and cons though to the surgery?
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