Unintentional Cracking 2 yrs after cervical spine fusion ant

C6C7crack over a year ago

I really thought when I Googled "surgical titanium screws cracking", that I wouldn't find much. Wow, I was wrong! I had c6/c7 fusion with screws in 2010. I am about ready to go back in for c5/c6 fusion in early March. My surgeon did an x-ray last month and told me one of the screws from the first surgery looks like it's cracked... Unbelievable. I suppose I can just ask for the defective screw, right? Any advice?

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Tarlese over a year ago

Hi I had my ACDF surgery december 2011 Im still in pain my hardwere moves up to the front of my neck around my shoulder blade hurts all the time the pain goes down my arm my thyroids acting up The ENT try to say it is acid reflexs I no thats not it. I hurt all the timemy neck is stiff ROM is bad going to see what the doctors has to say on March 24th 20

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Guest over a year ago

I was told by surgeon the popping and cracking noises were normal esp if no pain was i nvolved at the time. Had a big pop a couple days ago, basically with just bending and picking up a piece of paper.. didn't really hurt at the time but now in my third day of pain and unable to rotate to the side much either way...wonder what happened. Very concerned it has something to do with the surgery which was 9/2010

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Guest over a year ago

In August this year (2014) I went for neck fusion. In about 2002 I had disc implant C4 - 6 and and in 2012 a fusion on C3. My neurosurgeon decided to remove all that and do one new fusion from C3-C7 as things were getting infected and calcified in there and pressing on my spinal cord. All surgery was done from the front. Post surgery an x-ray revealed one of the 6 screws used was loose. They decided to leave it in case it stayed in position. ! month later for another check - the screw is completely missing. After a few xrays all over my body the missing screw was located lying on my pelvic floor? I don't if there would be any long term implications of a titanium screw moving around your body? Any stores on this ?

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Michele ann335922 over a year ago

In 2004 I had my first diskectomy and fusion on C6-7. I was told I had interverbral disc disease and will probably need further surgery down the road. Indeed he was right. So in 2008, I had yet another diskectomyand fusion. This time it was C4-5, C5-6. I was doing fairly well, then the pain came on really hard. So now it is FEb.2015 and my neck just started cracking and popping. MRI shows one of the screws came loose. Doc tells me it will be fine, the scar tissue is holding it up.And the neck cracking is normal. Normal for who.....not me. Doctor is just gonna leave it. I could use any and all advicethats out there.

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Guest over a year ago

I too have lost that lovin feelin. I have a burning in my neck constantly after ACDF of C5/6 to C6/7. Plate and 6 screws. Lift too much it feels like my throat is closing up. Only 50 and very different person than who I used to be...prayers please.

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Guest over a year ago

I have a plate fusing c2,c3,c4. It was done threw the throat. The doc put in 6 screws. NOW the top 2 screws are loose. I have to clear my throat at least 5-6 times per minute. I cant eat pasta, lettuce, or string beans without the food catching on the top 2 screws. I have to carry a straw with me all the time to insert threw my mouth and dislodge the food partials away. Extremely frustrating! I don't know what to do? PLEASE contact me with some help! If anybody has some HELP please inform me. THANKS SO MUCH Mike O.

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Guest over a year ago

Hi Look up "Spinal solutions " using NOT approved FDA parts

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Guest over a year ago

I have broken plate and broken screws also looking for anty classs action suits. How does titanium crack???

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Guest over a year ago

dont have any advice alas but send prayers. had 7 spine surgeries(!), the last in jan2001; just lately i have had a lot of cracking crushing grinding; it is not really painful but uncomfortable and scary. am worried things are coming apart or breaking. am in france; had last 2 surgeries done here. have demineralisation and osteoporosis; i imagine this plays a role. cant bear the thought of another op and also think it wd be dangerous.
as for sex, am now 61 and havent had sex w husband (or anyone, lol) for nearly 20 yrs. have lots of health issues tho...just too painful.
i am fused from c1 to t6.
best wishes to all!

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Guest over a year ago

My story is the exact same as yours....same disc....but my surgery was anterior (front cut). The pain is going on 2 yrs....now I've been told the plate & screws are coming loose & the screws maybe pressing on a nerve. Most days I'm on a cane or walker & I have knobness & pain. The neurosurgeon sending me for a MRI Friday. I can actually feel the plate if I tilt my neck back a little. The surgeon used a kit (cement/plate/6 screws - $25,000) in 2009. I suppose another surgery is required to fix this. Tears!

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Guest over a year ago

I have the same thing you do. I had surgery May 22 '15. I just found out the plate is loose and a screw is loose and coming out. I let the neurosurgeon know on the 15th last month and they just gave me an appt on Thursday for June 3. I am terrified the screw is going to preforate my esphogase. I am not aware of any class action law suits though, My neck is cracking everytime I move. Pain is very intense/

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Guest over a year ago

I had multilevel C spine surgery two years a go, from C2 thru C7 pedicure screws rods with fusion, I have cracking , popping , locking with tight muscles , sore neck with a slight headache, I have very few good days and I always feel the need to stretch and exercise hourly.
I go back for x rays today to keep an eye on one screw it is normal at times screws loosen but need to be watched buy your surgeon, at times some surgeons will remove the pedicure screws after the fusion has taken.
You shouldn't be worried as long as you keep your surgeon in the loop, hope this helps.

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Guest over a year ago

Yes I broke my neck in a car wreck 4 yrs ago and I hade rods and screws. I have hurt and have numbness all the way down to my right leg. So to answer you question I pop and crack all the time mine causes migraines now good luck to you

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Guest over a year ago

I broke my neck 3 years ago and had ACDF anterior fusion with plate and screws and bone from my hip c5/c6. Although I also suffered incomplete spinal cord injury I Have mostly recovered full mobility again but my neck is still so painful. yes, it cracks and freaks me out. Usually happenns when I just turn it too quickly to one side or the other. Kind of gives a sharp pain for a second too. I get so much pain when I try to do anything with my head bent down and sometimes it actually feels like it moves out of place. NOt sure how to describe it but it just doesn't feel like its all aligned correctly. Like another poster stated, I can't seem to sit fr long, walk for long...etc. recline mode with head support and my heat pack are the most comfortable. My most recent xray said the plate and fusion were fine but I have quite advanced degeneration and lipping (is that bone spurs?) at the levels directly above and below the fusion. I am not sure what this means future wise. I am female Age fifty three. I don't know if another surgery is possible....will they put more plates in there?

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