Just wondering if anyone has had rods to stabilize the spine without having a fusion?

If so how did it go and how is it now?


Just concerned as this is not something I have heard alot of. My Dr. wants to put rods at 2 levels to stabilze the spine. I have DDD spondy and bilaterial pars defect. The pars I guess is like a break the Dr. said that I could reach in at the l4-l5 level and pull out the spine. The only thing holding it is tissue.

Thanks
Sandy

HI Sandy,
I have 5 screws, 2 rods and cages but no fusion, the fusion failed so I guess I have hardware like your talking about except I have cages between my vertibre L4-S1. so that does make things a bit more sturdy. I have DDD and the level above the two I mentioned is starting to go bad now. I"m ok at least the hardware is anyway. I do have alot of other problems that are causing me issues but the hardware is keeping everything secured so far and it's been since nov of 2005.

I hope you get some relief and get fixed soon.

God Bless

Carol

My Dr wants to put the Dysense rods or something similar without doing the fusion. This will stabilze the spine and has a shorter recovery period. If this does not work than he will talk fusion. Hopefully this will work and I can somewhat enjoy life again

Just wondering if anyone has had rods to stabilize the spine without having a fusion?

If so how did it go and how is it now?


Just concerned as this is not something I have heard alot of. My Dr. wants to put rods at 2 levels to stabilze the spine. I have DDD spondy and bilaterial pars defect. The pars I guess is like a break the Dr. said that I could reach in at the l4-l5 level and pull out the spine. The only thing holding it is tissue.

Thanks
SandyI have my surgery in two weeks and the way my Spine Specialist explained it to me I don't think there will be fusion. I will have spacers put in for the Spinal Stenosis and then there will be rods and 4 screws I think to stabilize the spine as I also have a slipped disk. I'll be able to know more after the surgery but my OS talked to me in detail and fusion was never mentioned. I also have Spondylotheses.

Thank you so much for sharing. I go back on Tues to discuss this more and set the date. They did tell me that if this does not work then I would have to have a fusion.

Good luck with your surgery. please let us know how it goes.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Hi all,

This is a very interesting subject for me. I have been wondering, for the ones who have had failed back surgery, and no more operations being done, what next? Like, is the hardware okay to just be there without any fusion or spacer in place? I also have a failed back fusion and was wondering, if I didn't do anything to try again, how would the hardware fare. That is if I can also go without having to have surgery on my L5 S1 area.

Thanks for this post, I will follow it and try to learn more :)

Take care and God Bless,

Bernie

Bernie
I have tried to research this and unfornatuately I can not find much on this.

I would think this would be a good question to ask the Dr. at your next appointment.

Keep us posted

Sandy

You won't find anything on what next after a failed fusion, the only thing I would think is they would have to try to make fusion somehow. They can't leave the hardware in there because sooner or later it will break or toggle out. I know it happened to me on my first fusion. I'm still not fused yet the Dr.'s tell me I'm stable. If my back didn't hurt so bad I'd show them stable. I told this doctor yeah its stable but won't last very long because its only to stablize the fusion till it takes place , he shrugged his shouders and said your right ???? SO...........:rolleyes:

Hi Everyone,
I know my hardware or should I say the screws became lose at about 5 months post op after my first fusion. MY spine surgeon said the only way to KNOW for sure is to go back in and neither one of us wants to do that. I am very cusious to see what the new dr. has to say. I will keep you updated after the 3/1 appt.

Good Luck

God Bless

Carol

Carol ,
If it's not fused no sence in waiting for hardware to break and cause more damage right ? I don't know I'm stuck at that question also..
Hope your having a wonderful day Carol :D

AFter my back broke after the first surgery, my surgeon went in with 2 15" titanium rods and 20 screws. I am fused down in the Lumbar area, but the rods extend up to and under my rib cage - T9 to be specific. He wanted to make sure that I was stablized all the way down to prevent another occurance of breakage.

I see him in another week. But when I was in at my 18 month check up he told me that he "could" remove the hardware. I looked at him like he had grown another head (one with better bed side manner would be a delight). I said, "No offense, but I don't really want you to open me up again any time in this lifetime and perhaps not in the next either." He smiled and told me that ethically he had to tell me that the hardware could come out, but he didn't want to open me again either. So, that being said, here I am. You always wonder "what if?" Guess I can wait and see....

My GOD I'm going through a horrible time today and you still are able to make me laugh :D I told my surgeon this hardware IS comming out when I'm fused ,he said ok when your 100% fused it's comming out. I think its causing pain ?
Good to see you :cool:

Shawley, you are looking at it all wrong. Just think, you could talk to yourself..and when people ask you what you are doing you could tell them you are talking to the harware in your back ..a consultation you could say. Maybe you could claim it as a dependant?

I wish..lol

Hey Shawley,
I'm not having another surgery unless they can see for sure that there's a problem. I think I have reached my max capacity as far as surgeries. I'm pretty much where you are now, lets just wait & see. I know the hardware is not meant to tolerate the support without the fusion to help stabilize so I dont' know whats around the corner for either of us now.

I'm so sorry your going thru this too shawley.

Carol

Carol only if you knew what I was going through today :mad: This is the worse day of my life and you understand , because I mentioned this to you before. I have a thread on the addiction board , I fell into a trap.

Sorry Carol :)

Oh Shawley,
I do know so so well how you feel, I struggle every day to not take more than I need. The pain goes up and the pills stay the same, it's horrible. Like a lil devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. Well I gotta tell ya the lil devil is winning for me too. I did read your post on the other board, but just the first one of the thread, I couldn't handle it. I knwo i'm addicted after like 3 yrs on narcs how can I not be. Thats one of the BIG fears of the new Dr. visit, is he gonna take me off this stuff? I truely sit up at night fearing the struggle I have inside.

I can tell you that I"m crying just knowing that you have that same struggle, it is so consuming of every minute some days. I'm so sorry your going thru this. For what it's worth I'm here for ya, most of the day & nights anymore.

God Bless

Carol

I'm glad you understand , your one I don't want to uninpress , I like you and alot of others on here , you guys are very special in a funny way. I'm waiting on my Dr. to call so I can get help.

Thanks Carol :)

Hi Shawley,
I hope you got your call from the nurse and are resting since your not online. You could never unimpress me, your one of my lifelines on here, I know if your online your gonna put a bright spot in my day like you do with so many on here, even your post is to someone else, you are lighthearted.

God Bless

Carol

Carol , Hey the sun shines again ! Not really ! it's snowing like crazzy but I feel normal again. I don't know where or what I'd done without you people here. I'm so glad someone started this website. My heart goes out to you all :wave:

Shawley
I read you post on the other board. I responded so check it out.
You are not alone here. Please remember you are in Chronic pain.

Good luck you are in my thoughts and prayers
Sandy