OfflineI am new to the forum and searching for someone who can please give me some advice. I am 29 years old and had a spinal fusion at the age of 11 because of a 47 degree curvature. I have 2 C-D rods, one on each side of my spine that hook and also have pins in 3 places across them. I am not sure exactly (without looking at chart) what levels of my spine the rods begin and end but they are about 10-12 inches in length. I have always suffered from back pain since the surgery but became accustomed to it since it was never that severe. The last 4 years it has progressively gotten worse and worse. I have been in pain management for 3 years now. I have been in PT, had countless trigger point injections, pain meds, nerve pain meds, exercise, unsuccessful nerve blocks, and accupuncture. I have seen two neurosurgeons, one of which is supposed to be the best in Denver. They both saw all of my images (MRI's, X-Rays, Bone Scans) and chart history. They both told me my pain is not caused by the hardware. One of them told me that removal of the rods is not even an option at all. He said they would have to use a diamond plated saw to cut the stainless steel and would have to cut them into many pieces to remove them. This would create metal shavings not to mention all of the bone and nerves they would have to cut to get to them. He said I would be worse off than I am now.
The pain is so bad that I am miserable every hour of everyday. I don't allow myself to take anything stronger that Lortab 7.5 as it is prescribed and it is not even touching the pain. I am also on an anti-inflamatory, have tried Lyrica, and also muscle relaxers but it doesn't help. My line of work demands complete alertness and attention to detail; I am responsible for many lives and cannot risk others safety so I have to be careful what meds I take. I don't know where to go from here or what options I have.
My sister in law is a surgical RN for a Neurosurgeon that she says is great and I am in the process of getting an appointment with him. I am just so discouraged because of the past two opinions I have been given. Does anyone have any suggestions? Has anyone been through a similar situation? I would appreciate any and ALL advice. Thank you in advance.
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Hi Carrie,
Welcome to Spine Health. Wow that is a tough decision and I have no idea what I would do were I in your shoes.
It sounds like the risk of the hardware removal could be ten times worse than what you are suffering now. So you trade horrible for either relief or the worst thing imaginable.
Since I am someone that had muscle denervation as a result of surgery (one of those unexpected not normal outcomes) It has lead to more complications and who knows what in the future.
So if the NS is saying there's the possibility of denervation ... wow, my personal response is THINK TWICE !!!
Having metal shavings wandering around in your back ... not a good thought, although I'm sure with the imaging capabilities of today they could find most.
How long of a surgery would that be? I would think that the length of the surgery and the length of recouperation afterwards would be incredible.
Have you thought about or discussed a pain pump or neurostimulator.
I wish I could offer more ...
Please let us know what the next NS has to say.
Once again, welcome.
"C"
"I tried to puree a rock...it didn't work..."
Thanks for your support; I really do appreciate it. I will let you know what the Dr. says! Take care, talk to you soon!
Carrie,
It's great to hear back from you. Please let us know what the doc has to say.
Support ... no problem, that's what we're here for!!!
"C"
"I tried to puree a rock...it didn't work..."
Just checkin in to see if you made it back to the forum or not. Lots of good people here that can give you a tremendous amount of support.
"C"
"I tried to puree a rock...it didn't work..."
Hi carrie,
Just want you to know I hear your pain. I don't think mine is from the scoliosis. I am having other problems. That is weird they can't find the cause of your pain. I just wanted you to know you are not alone. I did read somewhere that another girl is getting some of her hardware removed because it is broken. I did not know they could break. If you need someone to talk to I'm here for you. I know what it feels like to be stiff and ache all the time and now have new PAIN and just let your mind go crazy with the possibilities of what can happen and what can they do to fix us. I'm home all day, not even working anymore.
Melissa
1983 scoliosis surgery from T-6 to L-5, 3 harrington rod, screws fusion of hip to spine. Now have problems with degenerative disc, 2 bulging disc, narrowing, and facet joints, all in L-4, L-5, and S-1, plus advance arthritis. I am now see a Pain Mgnt doctor and having injections.Have pain in the lumbar, coccyx and sometimes buttox and leg.