Consider an injection of the hardware as it goes into the bone. If you get reduction in pain, one study shows there is at least a 2/3 chance you will receive long term pain relief after hardware removal.

Thanks so much for the reply. What type of injection are you referring to. This is all new to me!

Mary C

Usually a local anesthetic injection placed through a small diameter needle (usually 22 or 25 gauge) under fluoroscopic (x-ray) guidance..... Pain physicians can do this kind of injection.

Thanks so much. I'll look into this for sure.

Mary C:

I'm getting a facet joint injection tomorrow (my 14th injection since 2000). The procedure is non-invasive and it can relieve pain for up to six months. The fluoroscopic guidance helps the doctor to find the correct location. There are several different types of injections, so check it out.

The reason for pains may not be in spine...

Facet blocks are typically not useful at the level of a fusion because there is very little motion about that segment. Above and below the fusion, injections into the facets may be useful. Facet injections are invasive...they involve placement of a needle 2-3 inches below the skin, but they are minimally invasive.

There may indeed be other causes other than spinal...