C7 right pedicular screw protrudes 7 mm into soft tissues

I haven’t had screws get loose in my cervical fusion but have had one in my lower thoracic region and wow it was painful! I ended up having the shifting screw taken out, it was such a relief not to have that pain! It does happen. I have also had one shift into my spinal canal, which was also taken out. Good luck! I hope you find the answers you are looking for…remember to always advocate for yourself!

@ga29 Did you get a recommendation from your provider about the screw location in your neck? Are there any plans to address this?

Yes, because the screw is located in the bottom of the plate at c7, he is going to remove the entire plate and replace it.
He says he's considering going in from the back and also the front.
I do have osteopenia. There is no decision on what caused this. I was super careful, but maybe not careful enough.
They are talking with the rep for the equipment, maybe the screw didn't hold up.
The surgery was done with many technological tools.
I don't know the answer, I was hoping there are others who have gone through this?
I wish I could do the fusion without any metal like you did, Jennifer!

@ga29 Why not ask your surgeon if they can remove the plate and you agree to stay in a neck brace 24/7 for about 3 months until it fuses? Osteoporosis is a game changer for bone quality when something needs to be screwed into it. My surgeon tugged on the operated vertebrae to see if it was stable during the surgery as dictated in his notes. I didn't find it difficult to stay in the neck brace and the time passed quicker than I thought. It was my choice and that was what was important, so I didn't feel trapped in it.

I had posterior Laminectomy spinal fusion June of 2024 at my year check up was told the pedicle screw was fractured in the anchor at C7. The surgeon is going to watch at this point I am not having severe pain. Option would be go back in the back and go to next level and anchor. This was not what I expected and have been struggling with the news. I go back in 3 months for check up and X-ray. The screw was made by Stryker. I hope all goes well with what you decide.

Thanks for your reply, I don’t know who the supplier was yet. I was just thinking about how they will fix this and wondered if that would be the resolution, going down one level.
They called me back this morning, they are waiting for next week to schedule it. Jennifer, I’m going to ask the doctor if he calls me on his break if they can just remove the screws and bracket and let me wear the collar for longer.
I’ve read some comments on a site called Reddit from others whose screw has loosened, and revision surgery was done with more brackets added. Many were fine months later, a few were not.

@ga29 Go ahead and ask the question. Do you have a portal to send a message to your surgeon? You can also call his office. This should be discussed before he makes final plans for your surgery and you are waiting for the procedure. If you just wait, he may not call you and give you an opportunity to ask your question. It's a valid question, so don't hesitate to ask.

Thank you, I will. Yes they have a portal. My son has a good friend who is a retired radiologist. He looked at my screenshots of the X-rays, front view and side view, and mentioned lucency, which means he sees evidence of other screws loosening, maybe two? This screw head coming out is close to my airway and esophagus. It’s worth asking, let them consider it. I will tell them of your history. Thank you!

@jenniferhunter thanks for your help with this issue. I discussed it with my surgeon and he said it was an option that could be done, but because of mine needing three levels he recommended going ahead with his plan. He will do an anterior, removing all screws and bracket, then turn me over and do the posterior fusion from c3-c7 with bracket and screws, it will be strong, with no worries about it coming loose.
They are sending the metal screws back to the manufacturer so they can determine if there was a defect in anything. I feel it’s my soft bones.
I’m going in for surgery tomorrow (9/29/25), I’ll check in and update for anyone who may be going through similar surgery.
They expect me to be in hospital for 2-3 days. I am thankful for this forum, for its help with questions about our health!

@ga29 I just saw you post. Good luck with your healing. I hope this time will be better.