Back Pain Forum - Removing the rods and screws from fused lumbar

Conditions and Diseases > Back Pain Forum > Removing the rods and screws from fused lumbar

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Q: Removing the rods and screws from fused lumbar

asked by: gailita on February 7th, 2008

New User

I would like to have the hardware removed from 3 fused levels in the lumbar spine. I am a 4ft. 11 and1/2 60 yr. old woman and weigh 108#. I have constant pain in my mid to lower back. Taking pain meds 6x/day. My neurosurgeon believes this is a lot of hardware for a small person.

I had bilateral PE's in 2001 after my fusion. I suffered from hypoxic encephelopathy and it has been a long road back. If having the surgery placed my brain at risk I don't think I would want to do it. But if I could get this stuff out of my back I would like to.

Anybody with thoughts .

gailita

Replies(3)

algosdoc

replied on February 9th, 2008

Experienced User

Consider having the surgeon place you in SCDs (sequential compression device) during the surgery that should help stop the blood clots from forming during surgery. Also, lovenox may be used immediately before or after surgery as a clot preventative. Finally, the removal of hardware does not take nearly as long as the placement of hardware, and the recovery time is much shorter, therefore you should be able to walk the next day (helps prevent bloodclots).

gailita

replied on February 11th, 2008

New User

Removal of Rods and Screws

This was very helpful info. Do you have any thoughts on how my brain my fair with 2 hrs. of anesthesia. I don't believe I could really take another cognitive hit. It has been a long hard recovery these past 4 yrs. from the hypoxic encephelopathy insult. My life changed on all levels.

Can a Spinal anesthesia be given for this surgery?

Sure appreciate this interaction. Gailita

algosdoc

replied on February 11th, 2008

Experienced User

Cognitive function is usually not impaired by general anesthesia (other than short term until the drugs wear off). However if a person is placed on cardiopulmonary bypass for open heart surgery then cognitive function may be permanently impaired. The surgery can be performed under spinal or continuous spinal however most surgeons and anesthesiologists are not comfortable with this approach due to the fact the spinal is a one shot deal....if it begins to wear off with you in the face down position, it can be difficult to establish a general anesthetic.

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