I had 3/4 of my spine fused Oct 2013 and before my 1 year I had broke the rods, the top 3 screws are pulled loose. I am supposed to have a revision in Nov. I AM SCARED TO DEATH. I am doing okay, pain is much better then before the fusion. I have the same symptoms as you. You have went 15 years with them broken, and managed. I am age 52, You have given me hope to wait on the revision. My surgeon asked me, Can I live like this...Physically do you keep as fit as possible? I have a free gym membership and think it's time to try Plan B. NO surgery. Please just your thoughts. Thank You for the post. To know you've made it 15 years gives me HOPE !!! Barb
I had 3/4 of my spine fused with the hardware and 2 rods in Oct. 2013. April 2014 was told both were broken and the top 3 screws are pulled loose..Pain wise I am much better then BEFORE the fusion..How long have you lived with your rods broken ? I am still in pain management and scheduled for a revision Nov. 2015. I'm scared to death ....If I can build some muscle and live this way, I am for it. How long have you lived with the broken rods? Thank You so much for your post. Barb
Thank You for this post, I am at my 1st broken rods, 3/4 of spine.Pain wise I am much better off..If I can live this way, I'd be better off NOT having the revision is what I take from you post. Please update how you are now. Thank You so very much. Barb
I broke a rod in 2013 you could hear it pop every time you move the pain was so bad had to fix it. Just. Broke another rod in July going to fix Aug 27 the is very very bad and can't feel my left arm and they are going to put in a bone stimulator because spine is not healing right doctors said that should fix the problem
My first fusion was in 1962, last to install rods from T-10 to S-1 in 2014. Now living with a broken rod and terrible pain.
My wife is 73 and 5 years ago she had 8 disc replaced with cadaver bones, cages and rods and screws. She has been in terrible pain the last year in her back and legs, now they found that one of the titanium rods is broken and surgery is planed for end of June to correct. We were wondering how your corrective surgery went and any advise for her going into this surgery and after. Thanks
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Sorry that I JUST now noticed the message..it's June 11, I am blessed, last December I had the broken hardware removed and replaced, fused ilium to T -10 and doing well..Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak Michigan...AMAZING gifted surgeons, nurses and so on. I am following surgeons orders and what has been the best in helping my recovery is the deep end of the pool in physical therapy..The surgeon wrote on the orders WARM water only and they do a great job keeping it in the 90's for me. If I have a busy day and overdo it, I feel some numbness on occasion. P Therapy was not allowed until 3 months post surgical. This surgery was more painful in the front right ilium, not sure why. I stand straight and tall, vs with the broken hardware. The one broken rod was so near the skin my surgeon said if he pushed on it with his finger he could expose it and that would mean emergency surgery. A huge worry of infection also. I am doing well and plan to take it easy for at least a year. I need a total left foot reconstruction next. Best wishes and I am sure she will do well..
I did have the surgery, hardware was ready to pop through my skin!! I am doing well..PLEASE make sure the surgeon sees you and you have up to date xrays..I had NO idea how urgent my situation was..
I am ilium to T-10 and I thought I was okay, but went to see surgeon. Rod was ready to pop through my skin, he said if he pushed with his finger it would be exposed. I did have revision surgery in a few days. It was more painful on right front pelvis area and no idea why. I am now 7 months post surgical on the revision and so glad I did it. Had NO choice. What has helped me get strong, was 3 months post surgical began working it deep end of pool at physical therapy, WARM water only..I have gotten strong and doing well..So blessed only I only have numbness if I over due it with the walking and shopping. I am still on NO bend lift or twist over 10 pounds until I see surgeon in at 9 months post surgical. I forgot this in the other posts to patents, I am wearing a new device 30 minutes a day to help bone growth. I think it has helped. The company is called DJO. Please be sure you have x rays and watch the hardware, it can be a must do. Best wishes.
I AM this patient and had the revision surgery Dec, 2015. Beaumont Royal Oak Mich. I HAD NO CHOICE the hardware was ready to pop through my skin. I am glad I did it and doing well. The surgeon ordered a machine I wear for 30 minutes a day to stimulate bone growth by DJO. Post surgical at 3 months went into the deep end of the pool WARM water only, it has helped me get strong..I am still on no bend life or twist over 10 pounds until like 9 months see surgeon next. If any one has broken hardware PLEASE keep in touch with your surgeon and get x rays. It can take your life.
Yes I did and went to see my surgeon, Thank God. One part was so close to skin he said if he pushed with his finger the rod would be exposed. I did have the revision Dec. 2015 and 7 month post surgical doing well. I'm fused Ilium to T-10. PLEASE keep up on your x rays so you can be sure where the broken hardware is. I am VERY glad I did my revision. Please consider it. Broken hardware is dangerous in many case..Wish you the very best.
I had my revision, no choice, rod was ready to pop through my skin. Fused Ilium to T -10 and wondering how you are. I wear a belt by DJO 30 minutes a day to make the bone grow, I think it has helped. Working in the deep end of a warm pool in physical therapy is what has helped me get strong. That was allowed after 3 months, been doing it over 2 months and love it. 2 weeks left. Still no bend lift or twist over 10 pounds until I see surgeon about 9 months post surgical..What do you think is the reason your having this problem? I know I was not following restrictions, HAD NO CHOICE ...my spouse crushed 2 discs in his back at work 3 -4 months post surgical the 1st time and I was lifting groceries, shoveling snow, he was begging for death in so much pain waiting for his employer at the time to process a work comp claim...THANK GOD for Obama Care !!! They gave him insurance and did not CARE he was injured, so he had emergency surgery.. If not for Obama Care, he's severed nerves been in a wheel chair and had both bags for bodily function..People who bash Health Care Reform have NO IDEA how it can benefit them until it happens...If he had waited a day longer the surgeon said he'd be in a wheelchair...Please be careful and Best Wishes I hope your doing well..
Hi,
I can really empathize with your situation!
I had my second spine surgery done only 9 months ago & saw my spine Surgeon 2 days ago to hear my Xrays showed a break in one of the rods installed. I was shocked of course. I'll see my doctor again in 3 months & see how things go. I am crossing my fingers & toes that the other rod won't break too! I hate to think of having another spine surgery to remove & replace hardware. It's such a brutally difficult surgery, recovery & rehabilitation.
Joy
I can really empathize with your situation!
I had my second spine surgery done only 9 months ago & saw my spine Surgeon 2 days ago to hear my Xrays showed a break in one of the rods installed. I was shocked of course. I'll see my doctor again in 3 months & see how things go. I am crossing my fingers & toes that the other rod won't break too! I hate to think of having another spine surgery to remove & replace hardware. It's such a brutally difficult surgery, recovery & rehabilitation.
Joy
I am so sorryread this is happening to you. On your second surgery you broke a rod also ? I am shocked. I am 6 months post surgery on revision and trying to be so careful. I did fall at 3 months on a ramp (snow) but x rays said all was okay. With this fusion being Ilium to T-10 I am so scared it will fail again. I am going to get very personal right now. I wish when your handed that paper saying it is okay to resume sexual activity they give you some ADVICE. I honestly am saying this so patients REALIZE ... that is dangerous and "THINK" about the rules of NO BENDING, Lifting or twisting !!! I know this is personal but it is saves ONE patient from this revision and as you indicated torture I will say it.......Please share this information and I HOPE you are not in need of any other surgery. Best Wishes, and let me know how you do. Barb
I am 56 years old. I had major spinal fusion May 2015 from T11 to my sacrum. Two rods, eighteen screws. I have had major nerve pain/damage since surgery and PT has not helped. They suggested a nerve stimulator for the nerve pain but said that it would not help at all with the physical pain?? This past May I "squatted" to pick something up and felt and heard a very distinct POP and the pain afterwards was excruciating. My doctor ordered an Xray and then a CT scan and both have shown that my right rod is broken. I also cannot lay, sit or stand for any length of time and the pain meds don't touch it! I went into this after living with back problems for years because I have a new granddaughter and wanted quality of life with her and my family. At this point I basically don't have a life. I am trying to schedule follow ups to the tests and yes I want another surgery so hopefully, hopefully, hopefully they can replace this one and I can get some relief! I cannot deal with the couch, chair, bed, heating pad cycle anymore!!!