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Has anyone had loose screws following lumbar spinal fusion surgery?

Posted by denman55 @denman55, Aug 14, 2024

I just had my 3-month CT Scan of my lumbar spine following my L3-4-5 spinal fusion surgery. The results indicate I have a disc bulge and herniated disc at the L2-3 level and 2 pedicle screws are loose at the L3 level. I am really horrified at the results and don't know what will happen now. Has anyone experienced this?

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alwaystriving770 | @alwaystriving770 | Feb 7 12:56pm
In reply to @annie1 "@linda6101 What were your initial symptoms, did you have back pain or pain in your legs?..." + (show)
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@linda6101
What were your initial symptoms, did you have back pain or pain in your legs? So you're saying the fusion didn't help with anything? I'm so sorry and I'm on the verge of having fusion and having second thoughts because of reading all of these types of things that happen.

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@annie1 same.. this is terrible

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annie1 | @annie1 | Feb 7 6:07pm

I just saw that you posted this in August of 24. What happened after that? Was the cause of the disc bulge and the screws loosening because of the fusion at the other levels? Did they resolve it I hope? I hope you're feeling better!

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calofmichigan | @calofmichigan | Feb 8 1:06pm
In reply to @peterpaul "This is a note to : Denman55 I am 80 years old - had lumbar fusion..." + (show)
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This is a note to : Denman55
I am 80 years old - had lumbar fusion 30 years ago - no loose screws !!!!!
I had an additional fusion (above the area because of disc deterioration) 10 months ago - full success.
I am mostly pain - free again - I stretch every day and try to walk a minimum of 3 miles daily.
Good luck and all the best -peter

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@peterpaul
Impressive and inspiring!!

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shirleyhibb26 | @shirleyhibb26 | Mar 17 2:08am

I am a 62 year old female. I had fusion of L3/4 done about 20+ years ago. In July of 2024 I got a compression fracture of L1. It didn’t heal with bracing of 8 weeks and ended up having Kyphoplasty done. Healed well and was doing ok until about two 6 months in and then started having severe pain in lower back. Did PT, steroid shot in the facets, nothing gave me relief. I do have osteoporosis (-4.3 on Dexa scan). I am on a regime of Tymlos for 1+ year. The pain was diagnosed as stenosis and degenerative disc disease. Had L1-L5 fused in Oct 2025. Was doing well, walking a mile a day at 2 months. Then severe pain started. I have been in pain for a month now. Pain mgmt has put me on Morphine for pain. CT shows that at the L5 there is lucent halo and 2 mm of the screw is pushed out. Is there a chance this can work itself completely out? Will it continue to come loose? Did it not fuse well because of my osteoporosis? Will I need to have revision surgery? I am in pain all the time it is different degrees of pain depending on what I do or don’t do. If I take the morphine for pain control. Help! I like to hear some opinions about this please!

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jlssurplus | @jlssurplus | Mar 17 7:28am

It will not come out on its own. Probably doesn't have to do with non-fusion. My wife had a screw loose right after a surgery because it was put in a poor position. She had it out but was having a revision done anyway. The 1st surgeon (Dr. Crackpot) that messed it up said don't worry about it but I can't imagine leaving it in if it causes pain. Not a Dr. but been through 6 fusions with my wife.

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calofmichigan | @calofmichigan | Mar 17 7:48pm
In reply to @shirleyhibb26 "I am a 62 year old female. I had fusion of L3/4 done about 20+ years..." + (show)
Profile picture for shirleyhibb26 @shirleyhibb26

I am a 62 year old female. I had fusion of L3/4 done about 20+ years ago. In July of 2024 I got a compression fracture of L1. It didn’t heal with bracing of 8 weeks and ended up having Kyphoplasty done. Healed well and was doing ok until about two 6 months in and then started having severe pain in lower back. Did PT, steroid shot in the facets, nothing gave me relief. I do have osteoporosis (-4.3 on Dexa scan). I am on a regime of Tymlos for 1+ year. The pain was diagnosed as stenosis and degenerative disc disease. Had L1-L5 fused in Oct 2025. Was doing well, walking a mile a day at 2 months. Then severe pain started. I have been in pain for a month now. Pain mgmt has put me on Morphine for pain. CT shows that at the L5 there is lucent halo and 2 mm of the screw is pushed out. Is there a chance this can work itself completely out? Will it continue to come loose? Did it not fuse well because of my osteoporosis? Will I need to have revision surgery? I am in pain all the time it is different degrees of pain depending on what I do or don’t do. If I take the morphine for pain control. Help! I like to hear some opinions about this please!

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@shirleyhibb26
Ask for the loose screws to be removed. It’s minimally invasive and recovery time is short. I two screws removed at T 10 and their adjacent rods after a T10 to S1 surgery. Received a lot of relief as a result.

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shirleyhibb26 | @shirleyhibb26 | Mar 17 9:38pm
In reply to @calofmichigan "@shirleyhibb26 Ask for the loose screws to be removed. It’s minimally invasive and recovery time is..." + (show)
Profile picture for calofmichigan @calofmichigan

@shirleyhibb26
Ask for the loose screws to be removed. It’s minimally invasive and recovery time is short. I two screws removed at T 10 and their adjacent rods after a T10 to S1 surgery. Received a lot of relief as a result.

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@calofmichigan
Thank you for your input.., 😊

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