BlueAtlas
10-26-2006, 10:47 AM
Hello back buddies,
I hope someone has a suggestion to help me. I'm about 4 1/2 weeks post op for a fusion from lower thoracic all the rest of the way down. I saw my first post op xrays last week and they look completely bi-zarre! The screws go at all sorts of weird angles all over the place, and at the top are two hooks. These aren't what I think of as screws. These are more like Frankenstein bolts!
Several days ago I started to get a sore spot on my back just a little to the right of the incision a couple of inches above my waist. I thought I must be getting a pressure sore, so I tried to spend more time lying on each side and a little more time up as I was able. It didn't get any better. I felt around gingerly and found a little lump. I wondered if it was hardware.
Last night, my husband's car broke down. Since yours truly isn't allowed to drive yet, he called a friend who lives near where he broke down, and the friend brought him home. The friend, coincidentally, happens to be a physiatrist. He came in to say hi and I asked him if he had ever heard of hardware protruding through the back. I thought maybe the swelling had just finally gone down so that it was now protruding, but when it was still swollen back there, it didn't protrude. He felt it, and just from his touch I could tell he knew what he was doing. He said it was indeed hardware but that it isn't loose, just protruding, and that nothing could be done about it until the fusion is solid. Then they could go in and remove it. He said I didn't really need to call the doctor, just to make sure I tell him when I go back in two weeks. (He also said my husband had a very sneaky way of getting a housecall! :) )
In the meantime, though, I can lay on my back for an hour or so and then it becomes very irritated and painful over that spot. It feels kinda like I'm lying on a marble, but worse. Lying on my back is the most comfortable way to be until that kicks in. Has anyone else had this happen? Did you come up with any ways to make it less painful? I would GREATLY appreciate any suggestions!
Thanks everyone,
Emily
I hope someone has a suggestion to help me. I'm about 4 1/2 weeks post op for a fusion from lower thoracic all the rest of the way down. I saw my first post op xrays last week and they look completely bi-zarre! The screws go at all sorts of weird angles all over the place, and at the top are two hooks. These aren't what I think of as screws. These are more like Frankenstein bolts!
Several days ago I started to get a sore spot on my back just a little to the right of the incision a couple of inches above my waist. I thought I must be getting a pressure sore, so I tried to spend more time lying on each side and a little more time up as I was able. It didn't get any better. I felt around gingerly and found a little lump. I wondered if it was hardware.
Last night, my husband's car broke down. Since yours truly isn't allowed to drive yet, he called a friend who lives near where he broke down, and the friend brought him home. The friend, coincidentally, happens to be a physiatrist. He came in to say hi and I asked him if he had ever heard of hardware protruding through the back. I thought maybe the swelling had just finally gone down so that it was now protruding, but when it was still swollen back there, it didn't protrude. He felt it, and just from his touch I could tell he knew what he was doing. He said it was indeed hardware but that it isn't loose, just protruding, and that nothing could be done about it until the fusion is solid. Then they could go in and remove it. He said I didn't really need to call the doctor, just to make sure I tell him when I go back in two weeks. (He also said my husband had a very sneaky way of getting a housecall! :) )
In the meantime, though, I can lay on my back for an hour or so and then it becomes very irritated and painful over that spot. It feels kinda like I'm lying on a marble, but worse. Lying on my back is the most comfortable way to be until that kicks in. Has anyone else had this happen? Did you come up with any ways to make it less painful? I would GREATLY appreciate any suggestions!
Thanks everyone,
Emily