Worried about broken rods causing serious damage

Shannon · 11-04-2009, 02:25 PM

I went to see an orthopedic surgeon yesterday because I have some broken rods. Pain isn't a problem, but there is a whole lot of cracking and popping that I'm hearing. The doc and I looked at my CT scan. There is a break in the rods at T11. This break has caused vertebrae slippage. The doc said this was too complicated for him to take on and he referred me to the doctor he studied under at the University here in Portland. I have an appointment with that doctor next Tuesday. In the meantime, I'm very worried and I'm wondering if I'm overreacting. The doc yesterday said that it is possible that I could have a sudden break in the rods which could cause the vertebrae to break and then puncture my aorta. Really??? That could actually happen? I've heard of rods breaking and sticking out of the skin, so I suppose it could happen internally as well.

I'll admit it, I'm scared. I'm laying low until at least next week when I see the other doctor. I'm not driving anywhere because I'm afraid if I got in a wreck, it could cause the rods or the vertebrae to break and puncture something. Last night I got very little sleep from worrying so much about this. Do you think I'm overreacting???

BTW, the doctor I saw yesterday said I will most likely need surgery to put some new rods in at that break. Right now I'm not worried about surgery. I'm only worried that it's going to break more and puncture something before I have the surgery. This is very unlikely though, right???

TAM63 · 11-04-2009, 02:32 PM

Oh my - I don't blame you for worrying at all, I would worry too!

That said, if you've had creaking and popping for a little while, and nothing's broken, I suppose the odds are low that it will break until you get surgery. I would think that if you were in immediate danger, and there was really high risk, the doctor would have had your rushed in, or put back braces on you, or put you in the hospital, or something.

Staying pretty quiet sounds like a good idea to me though.

SCI-Nurse · 11-04-2009, 03:23 PM

Hi,

I agree with TAM above. If this is really worrying you, I would call your doctor back, explain your conerns and see if he can give you further details such as how often does this happen, what precautions should you take,etc.
Personally, I believe he/she should have done that initially as I imagine everyone getting that news would have the same reaction you did. I know i would.

AAD

Shannon · 11-04-2009, 05:28 PM

After having it all sink in, I realized this morning that the doctor didn't tell me if there were any precautions I should take. He did say that he felt like it was more complicated than he was comfortable handling himself. So, I think he has very minimal experience with this sort of thing.

Who knows, maybe the doctor next week will say that I have nothing to worry about unless I start experiencing pain. Seeing that CT scan scared me though, as well as when the doctor said that it is right by my aorta and that it could puncture it. On the other hand, he didn't seem terribly alarmed. Concerned, yes, but alarmed like something needed to be done right now, no. He said he did want me to see the other doctor asap and when I told him I had an appt for a week from then, he seemed okay with that.

Thanks for the responses. I thought I might be overreacting, but common sense is telling me to not be taking unnecessary risks, such as driving or raking leaves and stuff like that.

TAM63 · 11-04-2009, 08:21 PM

Well I wouldn't rake leaves either!

I agree with the nurse, I think you should call your doctor and ask. And if he doesn't know, which sounds very possible, that is fine - ask him to please call the doctor he is referring you to and find out.

You should not have to wait a week and be that worried. And if there is cause for concern, then they need to figure out the appropriate precautions.

Arrow2 · 11-05-2009, 08:37 AM

I had a similar situation the rods weren't broken but the screw was to close to my aorta artery. They eventually had to remove all hardware due to the T4 injury because my body is to small for the screws but I lived with it in for a year. I had to watch everything I did because one slight fall would have pushed the screw into the aorta. It sucked, I too was afraid to be in a car or go any where because of this.

Shannon · 11-07-2009, 01:03 AM

Oh my, you had to live like that for a year? I'm ready for them to do surgery as soon as possible. I hope they don't make me wait long.

11-04-2009, 02:25 PM	#1
Shannon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,799	Worried about broken rods causing serious damage I went to see an orthopedic surgeon yesterday because I have some broken rods. Pain isn't a problem, but there is a whole lot of cracking and popping that I'm hearing. The doc and I looked at my CT scan. There is a break in the rods at T11. This break has caused vertebrae slippage. The doc said this was too complicated for him to take on and he referred me to the doctor he studied under at the University here in Portland. I have an appointment with that doctor next Tuesday. In the meantime, I'm very worried and I'm wondering if I'm overreacting. The doc yesterday said that it is possible that I could have a sudden break in the rods which could cause the vertebrae to break and then puncture my aorta. Really??? That could actually happen? I've heard of rods breaking and sticking out of the skin, so I suppose it could happen internally as well. I'll admit it, I'm scared. I'm laying low until at least next week when I see the other doctor. I'm not driving anywhere because I'm afraid if I got in a wreck, it could cause the rods or the vertebrae to break and puncture something. Last night I got very little sleep from worrying so much about this. Do you think I'm overreacting??? BTW, the doctor I saw yesterday said I will most likely need surgery to put some new rods in at that break. Right now I'm not worried about surgery. I'm only worried that it's going to break more and puncture something before I have the surgery. This is very unlikely though, right??? __________________ Alive for 39 years T4/5 complete for 31 years Mom for 12 years iBOT user since Fall '07 www.WheelchairRevolution.blogspot.com

11-04-2009, 05:28 PM	#4
Shannon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,799	After having it all sink in, I realized this morning that the doctor didn't tell me if there were any precautions I should take. He did say that he felt like it was more complicated than he was comfortable handling himself. So, I think he has very minimal experience with this sort of thing. Who knows, maybe the doctor next week will say that I have nothing to worry about unless I start experiencing pain. Seeing that CT scan scared me though, as well as when the doctor said that it is right by my aorta and that it could puncture it. On the other hand, he didn't seem terribly alarmed. Concerned, yes, but alarmed like something needed to be done right now, no. He said he did want me to see the other doctor asap and when I told him I had an appt for a week from then, he seemed okay with that. Thanks for the responses. I thought I might be overreacting, but common sense is telling me to not be taking unnecessary risks, such as driving or raking leaves and stuff like that. __________________ Alive for 39 years T4/5 complete for 31 years Mom for 12 years iBOT user since Fall '07 www.WheelchairRevolution.blogspot.com

11-07-2009, 01:03 AM	#7
Shannon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,799	Oh my, you had to live like that for a year? I'm ready for them to do surgery as soon as possible. I hope they don't make me wait long. __________________ Alive for 39 years T4/5 complete for 31 years Mom for 12 years iBOT user since Fall '07 www.WheelchairRevolution.blogspot.com

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11-04-2009, 02:32 PM	#2
TAM63 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 382	Oh my - I don't blame you for worrying at all, I would worry too! That said, if you've had creaking and popping for a little while, and nothing's broken, I suppose the odds are low that it will break until you get surgery. I would think that if you were in immediate danger, and there was really high risk, the doctor would have had your rushed in, or put back braces on you, or put you in the hospital, or something. Staying pretty quiet sounds like a good idea to me though.

11-04-2009, 03:23 PM	#3
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 29,465	Hi, I agree with TAM above. If this is really worrying you, I would call your doctor back, explain your conerns and see if he can give you further details such as how often does this happen, what precautions should you take,etc. Personally, I believe he/she should have done that initially as I imagine everyone getting that news would have the same reaction you did. I know i would. AAD

11-04-2009, 08:21 PM	#5
TAM63 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 382	Well I wouldn't rake leaves either! I agree with the nurse, I think you should call your doctor and ask. And if he doesn't know, which sounds very possible, that is fine - ask him to please call the doctor he is referring you to and find out. You should not have to wait a week and be that worried. And if there is cause for concern, then they need to figure out the appropriate precautions.

11-05-2009, 08:37 AM	#6
Arrow2 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1	I had a similar situation the rods weren't broken but the screw was to close to my aorta artery. They eventually had to remove all hardware due to the T4 injury because my body is to small for the screws but I lived with it in for a year. I had to watch everything I did because one slight fall would have pushed the screw into the aorta. It sucked, I too was afraid to be in a car or go any where because of this.