Scrambled Back

chastev8 · 05-17-2003, 06:48 AM

I suppose this is the best place to post this. I need some advice about what my options might be. I was injured in a car in Oct. 2000: L-1 sublux. I had rods for T-10 to L-3 put in to stabilize the fusion. I felt a tingling throughout by body when I was in my chair and would lower my chin to my chest. It seems that at the L-3, just below the rods, the vertebrate was pinching down on my nerves, instead of bending: which is another break. They discovered this when I went to The Miami Project in Jan 2002. So I had to have the rods extended to L-5. They put more rods in that begin before the others would end and are connected to the older ones.
The problem is that it seems my back has gained some strength and has torn out the screws holding the new rods. Now the bones are not fused and I have screws and metal just moving around-willie neillie. Some of the disk in-between the vertebras are missing now, because of the movement. I need to know what my options are. The docs say that I should just leave it alone. They say that if they fused them arterially and/or more then I will be very rigid and be less flexible. To take the rods out wouldn't do anything and only leave everything loose.
Is there some way I could fuse them together? Some way to fuse without all the rods? What other options to fusion do I have?

Wise Young · 05-17-2003, 08:35 AM

chaste, it is okay for you to post this in the care forum. The situation sounds very complicated. I assume that you meant anteriorly when you said "arterially".

What your doctors said is true. If you fuse, the spine become less flexible, concentrating all the movement in the remaining joints and producing greater wear and tear on those joints. If you have non-fusion and instability, it is probably a good idea to leave the rods in to restrict motion. If you are not having any significant problems such as back pain or neurological symptoms, I would leave it alone.

Wise.

chastev8 · 05-17-2003, 10:01 AM

Thanks Dr Young. Yes I meant anteriorly but spell check doesn't know how to spell it. I know that putting more rods in would make the back more rigid. I really want all of these damn things out-they only cause problems for me. But don't you think that the non-fusion could cause more injury to the spinal cord? I am afraid that I will not be eligible for the upcoming treatments such as OEG if I have this problem. So will I have to have these rods in my back the rest of my life? It all seems a bit sloppy

Wise Young · 05-17-2003, 02:36 PM

chaste, rods should not be a reason for not treating with OEG. Basically, as I understand it, you don't have good fusion and you are obviously quite active. If the rods are not bothering you (i.e. causing pain or compression of the cord), it is not a reason to take them out. Now, if they were steel and interfering with MRI, it might be reasonable to consider replacing the rods and transplanting cells, etc. in one operation.

By the way, I am moving this over to the Cure Forum.

Wise.

05-17-2003, 06:48 AM	#1
chastev8 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: valdosta ga usa Posts: 1,175	Scrambled Back I suppose this is the best place to post this. I need some advice about what my options might be. I was injured in a car in Oct. 2000: L-1 sublux. I had rods for T-10 to L-3 put in to stabilize the fusion. I felt a tingling throughout by body when I was in my chair and would lower my chin to my chest. It seems that at the L-3, just below the rods, the vertebrate was pinching down on my nerves, instead of bending: which is another break. They discovered this when I went to The Miami Project in Jan 2002. So I had to have the rods extended to L-5. They put more rods in that begin before the others would end and are connected to the older ones. The problem is that it seems my back has gained some strength and has torn out the screws holding the new rods. Now the bones are not fused and I have screws and metal just moving around-willie neillie. Some of the disk in-between the vertebras are missing now, because of the movement. I need to know what my options are. The docs say that I should just leave it alone. They say that if they fused them arterially and/or more then I will be very rigid and be less flexible. To take the rods out wouldn't do anything and only leave everything loose. Is there some way I could fuse them together? Some way to fuse without all the rods? What other options to fusion do I have?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-17-2003, 08:35 AM	#2
Wise Young Administrator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: New Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 37,975	chaste, it is okay for you to post this in the care forum. The situation sounds very complicated. I assume that you meant anteriorly when you said "arterially". What your doctors said is true. If you fuse, the spine become less flexible, concentrating all the movement in the remaining joints and producing greater wear and tear on those joints. If you have non-fusion and instability, it is probably a good idea to leave the rods in to restrict motion. If you are not having any significant problems such as back pain or neurological symptoms, I would leave it alone. Wise.

05-17-2003, 10:01 AM	#3
chastev8 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: valdosta ga usa Posts: 1,175	Thanks Dr Young. Yes I meant anteriorly but spell check doesn't know how to spell it. I know that putting more rods in would make the back more rigid. I really want all of these damn things out-they only cause problems for me. But don't you think that the non-fusion could cause more injury to the spinal cord? I am afraid that I will not be eligible for the upcoming treatments such as OEG if I have this problem. So will I have to have these rods in my back the rest of my life? It all seems a bit sloppy

05-17-2003, 02:36 PM	#4
Wise Young Administrator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: New Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 37,975	chaste, rods should not be a reason for not treating with OEG. Basically, as I understand it, you don't have good fusion and you are obviously quite active. If the rods are not bothering you (i.e. causing pain or compression of the cord), it is not a reason to take them out. Now, if they were steel and interfering with MRI, it might be reasonable to consider replacing the rods and transplanting cells, etc. in one operation. By the way, I am moving this over to the Cure Forum. Wise.