|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Paradise
Posts: 855
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Paradise
Posts: 855
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ncsusan22
Hi All....
My Dad had an L4-5 fusion on December 8, 2011. They placed rods, screws, and a cage with bone graft material. He saw his doctor for x-rays at the end of May, almost 6 months post-surgery, and while the hardware looks great (no movement or loosening), the doctor stated that he didn't see any evidence of bone growth/fusion in the area. 
His doctor didn't seem very concerned about this, however I would have expected to see some signs of bone growth by now! My Dad is 65 years young and is in great physical shape, not overweight, no smoking, drinking, etc. Does anyone have any experience with lack of bone growth at the 6 month mark? Is this normal? And if he doesn't show any growth by July, what can be done?
Thanks in advance for ANY help!! |
I had a C5-6 fusion with anterior plate and screws and a PEEK cage. Not sure if lumbar post-surgical radiographic findings are similar to the cervical spine, but I did not show obvious bony ossification thru the cage at all years later and I am not at all sure there is supposed to be. The cage is in the way. I am pretty sure that bony growth will occur to the extent that the endplates grow into the cage but never all the way thru it. The bigger issue is that there is no compromise of the hardware and no non-union (apparently) but check with the surgeon as it would seem that with bone graft material present, there should be some ossification....
|