Cervical Hardware Removed
 

3 days ago I had my hardware removed from C5/6 disc fusion back in 2012. It was anterior and was affecting my esophagus. The doctor said the fusion should be good enough to remove the hardware. So far the obvious really sore throat as my esophagus was stuck on the hardware and scar tissue from 1st surgery. I suppose time will tell. I just wanted to know of anyone who has gone through this. Hopefully the fusion holds without the hardware, I do feel relief with it removed. Any helpful info with experience, please let me know. Thank you!

No helpful experience to offer, Checker, but it's certainly good news that you've found a way to get rid of some problems. It's sad that you've had to go through this as a result of surgery.

There might be some past postings on fusions..
Our site search link is in my siggy.

Thank you!

Also similar topics are near the bottom of this page, I forgot to mention that, it might save some searching for you.

For what it's worth, I had anterior C5-6-7 fusion 14 years ago with a plate, and just 2 months ago had an anterior fusion of C4-5 with a plate. To install the new plate, the surgeon removed the old one. Like you describe, the vertebrae fused back then are supposed to be sufficiently grown together that the original plate had long since become unnecessary. He showed me on x ray, and it looks grown together to me (a layman). He reports, with x ray evidence, that removing the old plate and doing everything else turned out just fine.

Since I still have a plate, just a different one, I can't speak to the esophagus issues. I can say that with this newest fusion, the difficulty swallowing, and the breathing and choking issues when trying to sleep, were just awful for the first 2 or 3 weeks. Other than that I have had very little pain and no other complaints.

Welcome, Chinkapin!

Welcome Chinkapin :Wave-Hello: