fusion

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kezzo

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hi all,i was fused 6weeks ago l5 s1 and i just wondered what happens if the fusion doesnt happen,has it ever happened to anyone,and what do they leave the hardware inside still or take it out,

thanks
kezzo
 
Hi Kezzo,
How are you feeling at 6 weeks?

If you don't fuse, they may try to re-do it, but most people fuse. The failure rate is around 3-5%, though it's much higher among those here on the board, since those who fuse well don't tend to hang around here once they've gotten their lives back. If your hardware isn't giving you problems, most doctors won't take it out. Some feel that it's better on you to not have hardware inside if you're ever in an accident, but others feel exactly the opposite, that the hardware will be a help to you if you're ever in an accident. In general, though, the thinking seems to be, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Hope you're getting around a bit and making sure you rest a lot!

:wave: Emily
 
hi emily,thanks for your reply,i feel ok to be honest,i thought i would be in alot more pain than i am,i sometimes feel a bit sore but i guess that might be when i have done too much,like too much walking,but it gets very boring sat inside all the while,im still struggling with my thighs being sore when i lie on them but i am at the hospital on monday so i will ask them,i know i have still got a long way to go yet so i am taking one day at a time,i havent started pt yet so i guess that will be the next step,just out of interest how much is this operation in the usa,i live in england so we get it done for free on the nhs but i have read on here alot of people are in usa and they have trouble with there insurance companies.

thanks alot emily take care
kezzo
 
I asked my Dr that question a few days ago on my 6 week checkup. He said that eventually something will break. The screws will work there way out or a rod will break. I didnt ask what that would be like but I am sure it would be very painful. We were looking at the x rays and I asked if he could see if it was fusing and he said you cannot really tell and that maybe at a year you could tell.
 
My surgery came to $265,000. That included, though 5 days in ICU, plus three surgeons. But that's just what was billed. The hospital has a contract with the insurance company, so although I had a portion to pay myself, outside of that, they had to accept what the insurance company paid them. More than a couple of peanuts, huh?

My plan has an out-of-pocket maximum of $2000 per person or $3000 per family, so I had very little to pay for that bill, since I'd already had a lot of other medical bills for the year.

I'm glad you're feeling pretty well. That's great! Don't be alarmed if you have some ups and downs for no apparent reason. Most of us experience that.

:) Emily
 
thanks for the replys,i didnt realise it was that sort of money,good job you had insurance,there is something to be said about living in england-but its not the weather!!
i did wonder too about the hardware breaking over time that must hurt when it breaks and then to top it all of you have to get opened up again to take it out,just what your back neeRAB-not.

take care everyone
kezzo :angel:
 
Just to put your mind at ease, the pedicle screws are much better than they were even 5 years ago, and it is fairly rare that the ones used today break. My surgeon said that when he did his fellowship training about 10 years ago, the university where he was in training was doing research on various types of pedicle screws, to see which had the best "track record." He said he couldn't even remeraber the last time he'd seen a broken screw. So unless there is pain at the surgical site, I wouldn't lose any sleep worrying about your hardware breaking. ;)
 
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