Hi Doc
 

I hope to God that this is not the case with the metal that is put in our bodies. I already have immune problems out the yin yang. Read both the articles and was horrified. I asked my surgeon about this and he said titanium is good for life. So did he just not know or is it a case of not telling the patient all the information? I am prone to infection as it is, and I sure don't want any problems down the line with this. It was painful enough to get it put in, much less having to deal with taking it out. It makes you wonder about the consequenses that might occur. I think doctors need to present this information. What I read about it prior to my surgery, said nothing about this at all. I got the name of the device to be used on me, and did look it up.
Information came from the company who makes the device. Hummmm.....not good. ginnie:(

Ginnie...
 

I didn't mean to alarm anyone or cause any fear/panic. I was thinking aloud, as folks often do here. There are a zillion possibilities for post-operative pain -- I think the most likely being nerve damage that was there prior to any surgery.

I do not think your (or anyone's) doctor kept anything from them. This may be news to most surgeons as well. They go on the best information they have or can get. Besides, at this point in time, I know of nothing better than titanium for this purpose.

It's also possible that this phenomenon happens in only a small number of people due to some sensitivity, genetic difference, contamination of the hardware.... Infections can start many ways, and may just use the titanium as a path of least resistance - like lightning. I can't even figure out WHY infection would attack or effect titanium in this way! :Dunno:

I don't have any solid answers. I'm just going on the same information as you, that makes me think... "Hmmm... I wonder?" :Hum: :Ponder:
Like I said, it deserves study, but no-one should convince themselves they have an infection festering inside them from titanium implants; it's not logical or warranted at this point.

Concerns should be addressed to doctors/surgeons; not fueled by some guy on the internet musing aloud.

Doc

Yes, I do think that there is something up with the titanium rods, and the fact that they are still using them knowing they dont last as long as they thought is wrong. When they told me I had to have my 1st surgery the doctors told me I would never have to take them out...then I come back 6 years later and im lucky the bars didnt just break in half.


Gerry, I would definitely talk to your doctor who preformed your sugery and talk about possible infection, also having the bars removed.
Before they figured out it was infection, my surgen wanted to take them out 2 years before I had to have surgey again..she said it was 50/50, I would feel better or I wouldnt.
I feel a whole lot better now. I wouldnt doubt it if infection is your problem too.

Hi Gerry
 

I pray that you do not have an infection. I am not panicked or anything, but maybe a bit worried, as my pain level has been consistant since my surgery too. After reading the posts, and the articles I had no idea either that this kind of possiblity of infection could happen. I hope you go see your surgeon to rule this out. Your pain has been severe all along. So sorry that you have that to deal with that. Your faith keeps you strong. ginnie:hug:

6yrslater
 

I'm confused because the material used to grown bone would allow, if wanted or needed, screws and rods to be removed once fusion has taken place. One of the articles Doc gave us to view; stated that the bone and titaniaum might possibly fuse together.

If the rods and screws were removed, it would seem that the bone fusing to the rods and screws would have been removed as well, thereby causing the fusion to be removed along with the rods and screws. Not sure I am making my point here; again this is all so confusing. You really brought something up that most of us never suspected. It would seem that possibly you are no longer fused.

Gerry

Hi Gerry,
 

If s/he's feeling better and not in as much pain as before, does that matter?

We're kind of guessing our way around this issue, as none of us are surgeons. I spoze it's possible that the fusion covers enough surface area that removing a portion of it to remove hardware would still leave enough intact to stabilize the spine.

Also, in some of these procedures, it may not necessarily be the hardware that fuses, but the cage that replaces the disc, which may be (and often is from what I've read) of a different material than the hardware.

Lots of variables...

Doc

Doc,
 

It was my understanding when fusining takes place, rods & screws could be removed; but this puts a whole different thinking about this.
Concerns for myself or others that have been told we could if wanted to go thru another surgery get them removed after fusing.

In my case, the myleogram showed one of the screws is near a vein. I mentioned previously, the doctor that ordered the myleogram said I should take the CD's of the myleogram to the original surgeon and the screw should be removed. He felt this could be a problem. My surgeon, as mentioned, did not look like he could even read the myleogram and never was able to view the CD that had the dye; but said he didn't feel the screw would cause a problem. Should it ever be necessary to remove the screw; if bone adhears to the rods/screws would assume this would be a problem.

Again, until 6yearslater posted; never realized the titanium rods and screws posed this kind of problem. Also, interested if this did remove her bone or were they able to work around the eroded pieces; but still leaving the bone fused. I am glad she is feeling better; but wondering if they were able to leave enough bone in place. Unless, in my case, the screw should pierce the vein; would probably never have hardware removed; but the problem does exist.

You are right though....lots of variables.

Gerry

Gerry,
My spine is still very much fused. Before they took out the hardwear, there were a few conserns-1. That the fusion might not be fully completed. -2 my spine would move a a little from the fused position that it was in. not nearly as bad as it was when I had the rods put in, bit just a little bit.
If your rods were infected, and you spine wasent fully fused,(witch by now it should be)you would have to recover from the infection then have them put back in to fuse the parts of the spine that did not fuse.

I know that having the surgery again seems scarry, but it was the best tjing I could have ever done...i feel like I have my life back! And if infection is not the problem, maybe getting them taken out would be a good thing...i mean its worth a shot, your in pain now, and if you are still in pain,.at least you tried.

Also, the recovery of having the rods and screws out is wayyy shorter than having them put in...i was back in schoolwithin 3 weeks...feeling great! I wish the best for you and im glad I could help with my story.

6yrs & Doc
 

This is information which this site really helps recognize possibilites we never even knew. With one another, we are provided with sources, questions, sites to look into. I think all this is great. I would hope most of us do not panic; but good to know this problem is out there.

(Doc..really do appreciate the info you provide and hope the panic concerns do not outweigh your continued research.)

Hopefully the manufacturers would inform doctors about the possibility, as well as the manufacturer working to resolve as many risks as possible. As we well know...all surgeries are a risk. Whether or not to do so requires much forethought and research.

I really appreciate 6yrslater for providing us with this info. I do believe she is interested in knowing if there are any other fusions that may have had similiar problems. If there are....would be good to hear from them as well.


Gerry

l2 to l5 fusion probably getting another
 

I am 48 had my first fusion two years ago. Felt fine for awhile and then had to get another. And a year later back at the Dr again. My pain comes and goes however I can honestly say I have no pain at fusion sites. I have degenerative disc disease. Broad disc? Degenerative arthritis and anklyosing spondylitis which I am sure these are the factors that cause me pain. I think it depends on what else is going on in your back.

Same Question
 

I had successful fusion of L3, 4 and 5 in 1981 (age 23) to treat spinal tumor and I am also seeking info about the effects of age on spinal fusion. Also had 6 weeks of radiation so that might be a player. Not sure.
Sort of assumed I would get arthritis in my spine, but so far so good. I do get achy feeling in my hip when cold damp weather is coming (one of the sites where some bone was harvested to patch up spine), but it's very minor.
Just wishing to be proactive if that is possible.
Thirty plus years from last surgery and still going strong.
Any info greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

Hi TucsonGrandma,
I just signed up on this forum to contact you. I live in Tucson also. Your post was in 2010 and it is now 2015. First I was wondering how you are doing 5 years later? Also, I am in the process of getting Neurosurgeon Opinions on Fusing my L4-L5. I have had 2 opinions so far. One said an ALIF is what I need and the other said a TLIF is what I need. I have Anterolisthesis. I don't know what grade slip, but I do know my slip is 9mm. I was hoping you can give some advice on these Tucson doctors, have you found a good surgeon? Should I go up to Pheonix and ask at the Mayo Clinic? Any advice would be appreciated, as I, like everyone else, is terrified and making this decision.
Thank you
Jeepgirl

Hello jeepgirl,
Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups. :)

Just wanted to mention that TucsonGrandma hasn't visited NeuroTalk since July 2010 from what I can see so you may not get a response from her, but there may be other members in a similar situation who can help you with information and support about potential surgery.

take care.

Lumbar-Spinal Fusion
 

Hi! My name kittykats59 and I had L-3&4 done Feb. 25th. Well now I have a screw loose and the pain is outrageous. My opinion is, if I could do it over again, it wouldn't get done.

I have now had 5 back surgeries. The 1st was a fusion of S1 and L5 along with laminectomy and decompression of l2 through l4. 2 years later had to have laminectomy of l2 through l4 again. Unfortunately the surgery did not go well and left me in worse shape with additional symptoms. 2 months later another surgery by a different doctor to fix that. 2 years later another surgery with a fusion of l4 through l2 that was connected to existing fusion. This December because of severe degeneration above these fusions I have had to undergo another surgery with fusion of L1 through T9. For some unknown reason the fusion was not connected to the lower fusions and as result have suffered a fractured vertebrae between them. Outcome is yet to be determined. Was told by surgeon they could go back
I in and connect these which of course means another surgery or let the fracture heal in its own. This will take much longer and creates excruciating pain. I am also in a special clam shell brace for an indefinite period. Had I know back then what I know now would definitely have explored other options. I'm 55 years old and feel 75. Uncertain what the future holds but am certainly done with the surgery thing