Back Pain Forum - Internal Bone Stimulator Causing Problems?

Conditions and Diseases > Back Pain Forum > Internal Bone Stimulator Causing Problems?

What structures make up the spine? We review basic spine anatomy here...before identifying potential causes of back pain....

Q: Internal Bone Stimulator Causing Problems?

asked by: skjones on October 29th, 2007

New User

Has anyone had a problem with an internal bone stimulator? I had a spinal fusion to L-5, S-1, 13 years ago. The surgeon used an internal bone stimulator to help bone growth. The surgeon said he would leave the stimulator in and informed me that he seldom removes one. I've always noticed a small bump (lump) in the area of my back and it never really bothered me unless I felt myself coming down with an infection. If I am getting sick, the area in my back where the stimulator is, will get a little sore to touch. Other than that, no noticeable problems. I consider myself to be very active, working out 3-4 times a week and I've completed 10 marathons within the last 4 years. Within the last two weeks, my back has gotten very sore in the area where the bone stimulator is. In fact, it is very painful, much different than the pain I felt when I had my spinal fusion 13 years ago. The area of the bone stimulator is inflammed and very sore to touch. The vertebrae, around L-5 and L-4 are also very sore and tender to touch. The pain/feeling is very hard to describe, one that is similar to a very hard, aggressive push or pressure. It isn't in the vertebrae, it is right over the bone stimulator. It is very difficult to move to sit down and while sitting down, there is a constant pressure which is very painful. I don't have any sharp, shooting pains, no numbness, etc. I saw my surgeon yesterday and the x-rays really didn't show any problems with L-4 which would be typical in the case of a fusion on L-5. The doctor didn't seem too concerned about the stimulator, although he said it could be causing the problem. He told me to wait 3 weeks and do exercises, along with giving me pain medication. I don't want to take the pain medicine to just mask the pain. I want to take care of the problem and I firmly believe this isn't going to go away on it's own. Every day the pain gets worse and this morning I was in tears and in tears during the working day. I am trying to get an MRI scheduled with my doctor and insurance company asap because I can't wait 3 weeks to see "what happens." Has anyone else had any similar situations or suggestions?

Replies(13)

samrella

replied on October 30th, 2007

New User

Maybe An Anchor

Hi,
I have a spinal stimulator implant that has an anchor to keep the leads in place. The bump or anchor is just about the size of a teaspoon(just for comparison) When I don't feel well it seems to grow double the size. No one knows why. Maybe just inflamation. My doctors have told me to get it out because I don't use the stimulator anymore. It really didn't seem to help the pain. When I read your discription It sounds a lot like what I'm feeling. Is there some sort of anchor to keep the bone stimulator in place.
Take care, Sandy

skjones

replied on October 30th, 2007

New User

An Anchor......i Never Thought of That.

Sandy,
Thanks for your input. My doctor never mentioned the word "anchor" but it does make sense that there is something to keep the stimulator in place. I will definitely ask him if it is anchored down because over the weekend I was able to feel the stimulator and actually move it around. I'm scheduled for an MRI in two days and can't wait. The pain this morning was so excruciating I was in tears after pulling myself into the driver seat of my car. Right now, the pain has let up and the pain seems to increase when the swelling increases. I'm hoping the MRI doesn't show anything wrong with L-4 or anything else and then I will be convinced it is most likely the stimulator. Thanks again!
Sharon

samrella

replied on October 31st, 2007

New User

Mri Or Ct

Dear Sharon,
Can you have an MRI? I can only have a C.T. scan because of the wirers included in the stimulator. I just don't want you to have any problems. They should know what they are doing. And I wouldn't move the stimulator around to much. You don't want to damage anything. Did you have a problem with bone growth in the past to have to have a bone stim. implant? Any other fusions? Please let me know how your doing.
Take care,
Sandy

skjones

replied on October 31st, 2007

New User

Good Question - Mri Or Ct

Hi Sandy,
That's a good question you present. I've had the stimulator in for over 13 years and had an about 5 years ago for my knee. I didn't have any problems and they were aware of it. My surgeon didn't seem concerned so maybe they used a different type of stimulator and/or wires than what you have. However, I will certainly question the technician tomorrow morning when I go in for the test.

The bone stimulator was inserted at the time of my fusion, L 5 and S1. They took part of my hip bone and used that for the fusion so they wanted the bone to grow with the help of the stimulator. And, I am too scared to move the stimulator around too much for fear that I might do more harm so I will definitely be careful. Smile

You are too kind.....thanks for asking how I am doing. The pain is okay at times and then it is unbearable. I'm on the countdown now for the MRI and then will have to wait for the results. I'll let you know how it goes.

BTW, how are you doing and what brings you to the forum?

Take care,
Sharon

samrella

replied on November 1st, 2007

New User

Good Luck With Mri

Dear Sharon,
It's nice to chat with someone with the same pain and problems. I just happened to find this forum and saw people's problems getting answered by regular people and doctors. I had a slip and fall accident on glare ice while walking to my car from work in 1991. I was 27 at the time. I was practicing Karate, playing racketball twice a week, and I was on a volleyball team. Very active and very happy to not be aware of the chronic pain syndrome and depression. Well when I fell I landed on my tailbone, hit my low back, midback and head. As a result I fractured my tailbone, herniated a disc at L5-S1, herniated a disc at C5-C6 and also had head trama. I had a fusion at both areas of herniation and 8 years down the road developed fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone. I had surgery on my jaw to remove the portion of the bone in that area.One month later I had an operation on my ear because of stenosis of my ear canal and the bone grew so large it destroyed my ear drum and it had to be replaced. I am just recovering from those which were done in Aug. ans Sept. So I am 44 years old now and have been in pain ever since that day I fell. It really changed my life. I never knew what depression was and also extreme pain. I'm sure your life has changed too.
I almost died because of a severe drug reaction. Liver dysfunction and swollen brain. Anyway, We could all write books.
Keep in touch, Good luck with the MRI.
Let me know when you get the results.
Take care,
Sandy

sumrsway

replied on October 15th, 2008

New User

more back surgery and still in pain

Hi All, I have written to this forum once before about a spinal cord stimulator. I had a Dr. that wanted to do it but I did my own researsh and told him no and found another Dr. Anyway this Dr. I have now was actually the same Dr. that did surgery #3 this one was #5. Surgery #4 was 3 rods in the shape of a lower case h and 7 screws to hold all in line. Apparently a person needs 2 screws at each level to anchor and stablize everything. So my dr. took out most of my old hardware and gave me 2 rods and 10 screws, anchoring L2,L3,L4,L5, and S1. My daily living on the pain scale was always a 10 but now I am happy to report most days I do not go over an 8. My surgery was recent, just last month so I have hope to get better in the weeks to come.I am curious about the internal bone stim. I was just fitted with out but it is worn outside on my spine. I need to move the leads everyday to cover the whole surgery site.I was told I probably will need to wear this for maybe 6 to 8 months.So what I'm asking is what I have something different that what you have been wearing for 13 years?

samrella

replied on October 15th, 2008

New User

stimulator

Dear Sumrsway,
I had a spinal stimultor implanted for pain. Not a bone growth stimulator. But recently I heard at my doctors office that all stimulators are made so much better now than years ago. So I hope what ever you decide to do helps you with your pain level. It sounds like you either had a bad accident or have curvicure of the spine. I am making an appointment to get my spinal stimulator out real soon. I have recently been diagnoised with curvicure of the spine and I think the wires are causing a problem because of increased pain.
Good Luck!
Sandy (samrella)

sumrsway

replied on October 15th, 2008

New User

bone stim

Hi sandy,
Mine was a work related accident 31 years ago. Hence the 5 surgeries. I was told this bone stim was to help with new bone growth at all the graft sites where all the screws are. Just hope it works to get rid of at least some of my pain. It really sucks when you can't complete a grocery shop at one time or takes all day to make a special dinner because I need to sit and rest so often. I have people telling me now (after 7 tears) that if a second screw was put in at L3 I never would have needed this surgery and I probably wouldn't have lived with a pain scale in the upper 10's. oh well live and learn, at least I am still able to walk even if it is slow and with a cane. Nice talking to you and hope to again.
Ruth

samrella

replied on October 15th, 2008

New User

Hi Ruth,
I have had 6 back operations, 2 with removal of hardware, one cervical and 3 operations because of a bone tumor on my temporal bone and ear drum area(possible bone tumor caused by head trauma). My back problems started because of a slip and fall on glare ice in the parking lot of my work. I hit the ground so hard I had a swollen brain because of the trauma.We probably have some of the same degenerative and scar tissue issues in our backs. Not a fun way to live the rest of your life in chronic pain.Have you ever heard of Reiki? It helps me with pain and anxiety. It relaxes you so your muscles aren't tense and makes me feel much better. You should Google it and see if you'd be interested in getting a treatment. I've been a Reiki practioner for 7 years now and I'm so glad I was introduced to it.I hope your feeling better soon. I don't know where your living but I wanted to mention I'm from Massachusetts just in case your in the area.
Looking forward to talking to you again soon,
Sandy
Nice talking with you, we'll talk again soon.
Sandy

sumrsway

replied on October 16th, 2008

New User

touching base

Hi sandy,
So sorry to hear you have had 6 surgeries. The down time from just one is enough to last a life time. As I said earlier my surgery was at the end of aug. but I feel like I should be feeling better by now than I do. I do ok if I do only one thing a day but if I do two or three different things I'm ready for bed for the night. then the pain keeps me awake. I live in Ohio. I have never heard of Reiki, but will look into it to see what it is all about. Is it something your pain manager does? Talk soon, bye for now.
Ruth

samrella

replied on October 16th, 2008

New User

Reiki

Not my pain manager. But the pain center I go to in Boston is aware of it and they say more people should have Reiki treatments. They do use it in some hospitals. Please google it . It will help you deal with pain.
Talk to you again soon,
Sandy

jennifer_sw3

replied on September 4th, 2009

New User

Ok so I feel not so alone now. I am 33 yrs old I am on my 3rd back operation. I also have a bone stimulator in which I am having removed next week while I am AWAKE!!! Not to thrilled with the whole thought of that. I have had spinal fusion almost a year ago and I was doind fantastic after about 4 months. Just recently I bent at the waist and OMG I am suffering for the past 3 wks!!! My question is I see that a lot of you are refering to a problem with L4 which is expected - what does that mean ??? - because I cant go through another surgery again - but nothing is worse then back pain!!!

cluelessnca

replied on September 30th, 2009

New User

Dear jennifer

I to was 31yrs old when I had A spinal fussion L3-4,4-5s1. A lamininactomy,dissectomy and bone graph. I to had an internal bone stimulator. Like you about 3- 4 months after my operation I began getting really sick increased pain to 10. I would get so sick pucking,migraine unable to eat weightloss unable to move etc. I also noticed that the stimulator had moved and lodged itself between my screws and spine.Everytime I went to the er they told me I was going through withdrawls etc. When I asked my surgion he simply replied that the stimulator did not move it just settled "in" place thats why there wasn't a large bump as everyone is calling it. No instead that large bump was right on my spine i was told it was the wires not to worry. Anyway it made my life hell it was to be left in for 12months after fighting the insyrance company doc etc... I had to get a court order demanding that it be removed which it was and dissapered i was told I could keep it like the three other patients befor me and to no surprise it vanished. Anyways five yrs later i have tumor growths in massess where they left the wires intact inside me and sewed me up. The tumors have spread all throughout the trunk of my body and now going into my neck on upward. I have tumors in my lungs a cyst on my kidneys and these large massess that im told are fatty tumors runs in the family NOT. Needless to say ive been passed around and getting worse and no one is looking towards the stimu the tumors started around 4-5 months after implanting ANYONE have any idea whats going on please please help if anyone has experienced anything like this thank you helpless

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