Scoliosis Surgery: Broken Titanium Rods

Guest over a year ago

I am so sorry to read your post.That is my greatest fear, breaking a rod a 2nd time. . A family friend who had the same type of surgery on her lower back told me to give it more like 2 full years to heal. I am being so careful this second time around. Halloween 2013 was my 1st surgery, ilium to T-10, my rod broke the following summer and several screws pulled loose. Dec. 2015 I had the revision as the broken rod was ready to pop through my skin, I had NO choice. So far all seems well. Next check up is late Sept. I wonder if another surgeon will take you on? I worked for an internal medicine doctor many years and most doctors do not like to work on anothers patient. I certainly wish you the BEST of luck. I'm so very sorry for all your going through. PLEASE update and let me know how you proceed. If you have anything replaced ask for the broken hardware back, in case of recalls like the hip and knee replacements. Sending you healing thoughts.

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Guest over a year ago

This is Kim and I sent in a question just a few minutes ago, today, 9/27/16. It was about a fall I took on 8/23/16. I sure hope that someone will find my request and get back with me. All I could see for quite awhile was that it was sending.

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Guest over a year ago

Hello Kim I do NOT see the question, I see this post saying you HOPE it posted...I will look and if I do not see I will be right back, Barb

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Guest over a year ago

I don't see anything from you Kim about a fall..PLEASE POST your question and I will look for it. Barb

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Guest over a year ago

hi I am 63 years old and corrective surgery for scoliosis 7 years ago. I am a very active and was always very athletic. I heard something pop and had an xray and I broke a titanium rod. Now I am wondering what will happen. I knew something was wrong because I have been experiencing pain in that area. Nothing really that I cant handle but worried about down the road...............any advise??? thanks everyone!

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Guest over a year ago

I hope by now you have had the rods removed and left out! I had 2 -12 inch rods put in 3 years ago. If someone thinks Titanium Rods do not break, think again. Mine broke when I turned sharp one day and knocked me to my knees. I had a choice to leave t hem in but they kept moving and it hurt . So 2 weeks ago, my Doctor took them out and oh thank God! hardly any pain at all. Anyone reading this, do not be afraid, you do not need them back in and the pain free back is such a relief!

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Guest over a year ago

Mine broke after 3 years. I had them removed 2 weeks ago, best thing I could have done. almost pain free finally after 3 years!

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Guest over a year ago

My surgeon broke my rod in L4 during surgery on L3. He never told me he broke it and left it in. I saw it when I got my 6 week check up and exrays. What are my options? I didn't see him when my visit occurred but I want to address this when I see him again this week.

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Guest over a year ago

How do you know it happened during surgery? If it did I cannot see why it was not replaced?!?!?!? Does it cause you pain? Mine was ready to pop through my skin! I had no choice..If it does not cause pain and poses no threat to pop through the skin, chances are it will be okay. THAT is something you and your surgeon must discuss with new xrays..BEST of luck..

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Guest over a year ago

I had a auto accident in 2013 it required two 12" rods and 12 screws, one rod broke 11 month later. I had corrective surgery in march 2014 this time the doctor replaced them with 14" rods and two 6" screws in my hips. Six months to the day one broke again. I had another corrective surgery in September without replacing anything he went in through my stomach and braced the broken rod. 10 months later the other rod broke, and seven months later (April 2017) the brace one broke again!

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Guest over a year ago

I am so sorry to read this. What is the reason they keep breaking, honestly do you have any idea ? Are the screws pulling loose also? Something sounds so wrong here. I know that I felt good before my 1 year mark after my first surgery, and did things like ride our big Bad Boy mower. When they say no bend, lift or twist over 10 pounds they mean that, plus staying off things like our big lawn mower..I am so happy to say I had only 2 surgeries. It has been 18 months since my second surgery, so far no broken anything. I do feel a huge difference in outcome as far as pain along with sitting, many other things. I messed nerves up by going through this twice..I also have the screws in my hips/ pelvis now. I hope you find some answers as to why this keeps happening. I had a gastric bypass in 2000, and know I need to up my vitamin supply. I wish you the best and I'd be demanding answers as to why these keep breaking. As I mentioned in a post, sex must change with these surgeries too..Think about your no bend or twist rule..The doctor never discussed anything about sex they handed a paper out that said resume sex life as per your comfort..They need to explain a lot more here..NO BENDING means no bending..I feel so bad for you..Update please and let us know how your doing.

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Guest over a year ago

Mark, I am 62 y/o woman and had scoliosis surgery in 1999 @ 44 yrs. Old. Ive managed with pain meds, but been gettin much worse lately. Found out Wed. THAT I have a broken rod. I want to know what you ever did, if anything. I really do not want surgery, and like you, I am praying about it and have prayer partners helping me. Its a big thing, but the rate im regressing, is scarey. Id lovean update on you. I live in NC. And go to Duke.
Thank you and God Bless you!!
Shiela

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Guest over a year ago

This was so nice to read something positive!!! I have a broken rod on the left side down by L4-L5. I have pain as the day wears on. I want to have it fixed so it doesn't cause any further problems. All the negative posts scare me a lot! But like you, I have a great doctor. Don't see him til next Monday 26th. But have a lot of trust in him.

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Guest over a year ago

That is why I do follow up on this site, with positive news, as I was scared to death.I was shocked when the surgeon told me I had broken one of the rods and pulled so many screws loose..I did not think it was possible..Until I looked in the mirror & saw lump where the tip of the rod was ready to poke through the skin..
I made a total life style change, where I think, about every thing I do. I swear I had a lot of alone time in pre op as I was a work in patient. I was basically laying for hours alone. Ever so often a doctor or nurse would check on me, but it was a time for reflection on HOW did I get here?
When I was almost a year post op my surgeon did say OKAY to use my home gym, at a max of 20 pounds. NO bend, lift of twist is what I live by. In the car using an ATM so many things we do not realize we should not do..I am 18 months post op from second surgery. Yes, I can tell I did some damage, bladder is what wakes me ..every 2 hours or less..Still very thankful for what I can do...
I'm in Michigan, my surgeon is Dr. David Montgomery, Royal Oak Michigan..William Beaumont Hospital is amazing. People come from all over the world for surgery there.
I wish they explained more about post surgery to me, and that the rods can break..I felt good, my husband was injured, chores needed to be done. Like mowing 5 acres .
My surgeon said for me NEVER get on our big mover again.
Please update and let us know how your doing. If you can avoid surgery and the surgeon also thinks it is best, that would be wonderful..Sending you all my best.

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Guest over a year ago

WOW..what comes to mind is as we get older our bones weaken, make sure your Vit. D levels are normal. In much of the country we are low, lack of sunlight and poor diets. As I said in my last post I have changed the way I move period. Fusion is ilium to t-10 for me. Using the ATM at the bank as well as countless every day movements "WE" need to rethink..
I wish you better days..

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