@nicholaspohla Hello and welcome to Connect. What you've described in your 2 spine fixation surgeries is called "Proximal Junction Kyphosis" or "PJK" in medical terms where the top end of the hardware construct with the rods can become loose, and your body kind of falls forward with more kyphosis and "falling" away from the rods. I had spoken with another member here on Connect who also had PJK and is having revision surgery very soon. She had taken a side view photo of herself standing and it did show lumps under the skin on her back where the top end of the hardware was pushing upward.

It sounds like you are 4 months from your one-year follow up with the surgeon, right? I don't think you are being defensive; I would say vigilant and ready to advocate for yourself. Your surgeon doesn't live with and have personal experience with what you are experiencing, and his words were meant to ease your stress. It's a very human response to be traumatized by big surgeries. Many spine patients feel this too.

The C7 vertebrae is the bone at the base of your neck that sticks out the farthest because the spinal processes on it are bigger. With the top of your rod attached there, I don't know if the hardware would be only felt with your hands or seen under the skin. For a while, I had plates on my ankle after fracturing it, and I could see and feel it stick out a bit where it was attached on the bone.

If you have increasing pain, that is a valid reason to ask your surgeon about it even though he told you everything was fine. A simple X-ray with different neck positions could answer the question if there is any movement of hardware.

You've also had 2 surgeries that cut into the same area and created scar tissue. Scar tissue gets tight and can cause pain. Even though your spine mobility is limited by spinal hardware, you can stretch out the scar tissue with a special technique called myofascial release. My physical therapist has done this a lot with me, and it can loosen surgical scar tissue. I regularly do my own stretching at home from what I've learned. The fascia is cobweb like stuff that connects everything in your body, and it is between every muscle cell. Your muscles can be bound up and tight and the fascial tightness will just pull right to the surgical area causing extra pressure. The fascia was cut during surgery and does form scar tissue. If you find a PT who also does myofascial release, you can loosen the tightness, and you would have someone to discuss the physical issues of the hardware. They would be able to put their hands on it and possibly feel if it is secure.

Below is the link to our discussion on Myofascial Release. You can find more information at https://myofascialrelease.com/. There is a provider search link from that website. (temporarily, the search was not working today, so check back later)

Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Your questions are valid, and your surgeon should listen. You can also ask for myofascial release therapy to help release the scar tissue.

Your thoughts?