Guest guest Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Hola Robin I like you thought our hard ware was for life, as this is what I was told when I had my original fusion 15 years ago, so yes I was told that's it for me, all sorted, bye sort of thing, I have since come to learn that the hard ware can come out after a couple of years and if I had known this I would have opted for that years ago. I would say however, that it is all down to an individual, I have known people with Harrington rod hard ware needing it out after 5 years but as I say mine has survived me for 15 years so far, although I am now having problems it is not the rods that are the main trouble (but I think the underlying problems I have are due to the hard ware installed). This is a very valid question and I must admit one I had not thought to ask myself, the information that is available today is greater than 15 years ago and I too am learning so much. I am sorry to hear you need revision surgery and I wish you all the best. If you find the real answer to your question I would be very interested in what you are told by doctors. Take care and best wishes Simone aka Nutty Hardware Hi fellow flatbackers, I went for a second opinion with one of the flatback docs mentioned on this list about two weeks ago. He said what I thought he would say and I think I'll be having the surgery sometime within the next year. <sigh> I mentioned this to a cousin of mine who then asked a question about how long the hardware is expected to last. I had no idea and thought I'd ask if anyone knows on this list. (I will ask my doctor next time I call his office, but thought someone here might know the answer.) He mentioned that with say hip replacements, the hardware is only expected to last for 25 years and would this be the same for revision surgery? I found that kind of depressing if there is a hardware issue and we have to do this all again 25 years down the road. Then again, how many of you remember your original surgeon saying that your back was stronger than most people's now that you had the fusion and that you would never have to come back again to their office? Anyway, thanks in advance for your help, Robin Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any advertised products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Hi Robin... Unlike hip and knee implants, spinal implants aren't supposed to move, or have anything rubbing against them, so they're expected to last a lifetime. There's one caveat, however. If there is any problem with the implant that causes one component to rub against another (like a hook or screw that isn't tight, allowing the rod to rub back and forth against it), or if there's an area of non-fusion, the implants might break, or otherwise need to be removed. Since the implants serve no purpose once the spine is solidly fused, there would be no need to replace the implants if they were removed. All that being said, the oldest stainless steel spine implants are only about 40 years old. So, I suppose that it's possible that the medical community will one day discover that implants will only last 50 years. I'm not sure how old the oldest titanium spine implants are, but I'm guessing that they're even less likely to require replacement. Regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 For the record, My uncle had an automobile accident in 1948 - they put a silver implant into his left knee. It finally began to give him trouble in the late 1980s-early 1990s when he wasabout 29. He led a full life and then had to walk first with a cane and then a walker and was finally confined to a wheelchair (because at 80+ he was too scared to have a knee replacement). He died this past spring at 94, with his silver pin still intact, still holding his knee together, even though, I suppose, the pin was no longer doing such a great job. Still it's encouraging to know that even back then they could work such miracles, giving my uncle a full and rich life. Let's keep our fingers crossed about OUR " equipment " . All the best, from Italy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 I asked my doc at s Hopkins that question. He only advised it should not give any complication like the Harrington Rod, (which was supposed to last a lifetime). At least thats what they told me at that time. So assuming the same sort of problems do not arise from the new procedure he stated it would be indefinite. But he stated, as all doctors would, nothing in gauranteed. Thats the answer he gave me. See what your doctor has to say! Debbie > Hi fellow flatbackers, > > I went for a second opinion with one of the flatback docs mentioned > on this list about two weeks ago. He said what I thought he would > say and I think I'll be having the surgery sometime within the next > year. <sigh> > > I mentioned this to a cousin of mine who then asked a question about > how long the hardware is expected to last. I had no idea and > thought I'd ask if anyone knows on this list. (I will ask my doctor > next time I call his office, but thought someone here might know the > answer.) He mentioned that with say hip replacements, the hardware > is only expected to last for 25 years and would this be the same for > revision surgery? I found that kind of depressing if there is a > hardware issue and we have to do this all again 25 years down the > road. Then again, how many of you remember your original surgeon > saying that your back was stronger than most people's now that you > had the fusion and that you would never have to come back again to > their office? > > Anyway, thanks in advance for your help, > Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Paige, My initial surgery was done when I was 15. I had a car accident 4 months after the surgery while still in the body cast. The impact of the collision knocked the Harrington rod loose but this was undetected until I was 17 and had finally started to live a normal teenage life. While the rod never broke throught the skin, I understand what you are describing because my rod actually worked its way up and turned slightly. I noticed this as a protrusion at the top of my fusion scar and it became very uncomfortable to lean against anything. The hook at the top of the rod was pressing/poking at my skin and could be felt even through my clothes. This went on through the middle part of my senior year before finally having the rod removed. I don't know how long it would have taken to actually break through but I have a very thin body build so I guess friction would have hastened that. I hope you get relief soon, perhaps a doctor could give you a quick exam since you have such an impedending open wound/pathway of infection? Zivic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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