Hi, are their any orthopedic doctors on here as I would like some advice about my back. I broke my L1 vertebrae last season in Austria and as a result had it glued and screwed back together and then rodded to two other vertebrae to stabilise it all. However, the surgeon in Austria said that after a year I should get the rods taken out, but upon returning to the UK was told by the specialists here that its best to leave them in just incase there are any problems as a result of taking them out.
Now, I'm a little bit confused by this as while I can understand what the English guys are saying I find it odd that they would reccommend taking them out in Austria as surely they also know the associated risks with taking the rods out also and wouldn't advise it if there was a high chance of my back getting worse.
I would really like them out to be honest as I'm a fair bit stiffer with them in and it just permanently feels uncomfortable with a nagging ache in that area. I'm only 45 but feel like an 80 year old and was a carpenter before hand but the stiffness really limits my movement so have had to knock it on the head, but ideally I'd like to get back in to it if I can.
Any advice from either back specialists or people that share a similar experience to mine would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Dan
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@DanielJames, Many years ago I broke my back with a shear fracture between two vertabrae with two cracked. This required a disk to be removed and a couple steel plates to be inserted. The plates stuck out a bit. They took the plates out after 6 months. I asked if I could have them as a keepsake but they were send away for analysis.
All was done in the UK
The aches and pains didn't go away when the plates were removed but continued for a couple years. With two vertabrae fused together my back is naturally stiff.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@DanielJames, I have no idea about this, but I'd certainly be asking my GP to arrange for a second opinion from another specialist just to verify either the UK or Austrian view.
If you can afford it, go see this guy https://www.hje.org.uk/consultants/mr-sean-molloy/ he really knows his stuff. I guess in theory you could get referred to him through the NHS but from what I hear that is very unlikely these days. I know this is a very different back problem to yours but as you will see the "engineering" involved in the spinal surgery is extremely impressive
I would think he would know more about lumps of metal in your spine than most other doctors.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
DanielJames, it is not clear where you live.
Sean Molloy is based at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital at Stanmore, which has a large spinal unit. He also does private work at Clementine Churchill, and a number of other London private Hospitals.
He is well worth talking to.
But, there is little in medicine/surgery that does not have differences of opinion. You might well get different advice within the same department.
As @johnE mentions, it is unlikely the discomfort and stiffness will go if the rods are removed. Your vertebrae will have been fused (your term "glue") to the other vertebrae. The rods are just there to hold the bone in position while fusion takes place. Removing them is not without its risks.
I did not have a broken back - but I have had a spinal fusion (L3/L4), with Rods and Screws and Tri Calcium Phosphate (I think) used as artificial bone to allow fusion.
There were a confusing array of alternatives - Artificial Spinal Discs vs Fusion; Leave damaged Disc in place or remove it (Fusion); Go in from the the front vs Go in from the back; Keyhole surgery vs Normal surgery.
My advice, is find somebody who is experienced at all alternatives, has been doing it for a decent length of time and has a good success rate. Do your research...especially with your GP, to see who has a good reputation.
Once you have picked somebody - meet them, discuss your options, with the pros and cons of each course of action....then if you have confidence in them, put yourself in their hands and trust them.
The Orthopaedic Surgeon I chose (at the time, I was with BUPA) gave me my life back.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
DanielJames wrote:
was told by the specialists here that its best to leave them in just incase there are any problems as a result of taking them out.
"Specialists"? (plural?)
Do they all said there's little to no benefit from the removal of the rods?
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