"Metal plate" sensation post-lumbar fusion. Felt like this?

Posted by abb123 @abb123, Jul 21 6:18am

Almost 5 months ago I had a L4-5 fusion due to leg/creeping saddle numbness. I'm a 70 yo woman with osteo. I've been on Forteo 10 months now. The surgery took care of the numbness, but I have developed a painful sensation about 3 inches above my fusion that feels like a metal plate when I lie down, cough, bend even the slightest, etc. I also am now developing chronic pain around my S1, likely due to the mechanical load it now has to carry. Has anyone experienced this "metal plate" sensation? My guess is it is the long thick muscles that now are somewhat anchored and unable to move naturally .

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 21 7:23am

What does your surgeon say about this?

Donna A. | @dadkins | Jul 22 7:30am

I am 62 (near 63) yo woman with RA, osteopenia, DDD, osteoarthritis, and Raynauds (those are the biggies). I am 14 months post L5/S1 fusion and had to have both SI joints fused at 5 months and 10 months thereafter. I have been complaining to my neuro that I have severe pain along the cage area, especially when I lay down. He has completely dismissed this complaint. I’ve said to all of my physicians that I believe I can feel the metal and it causes me pain. NO ONE, other than my family believes me.

I hear you. I believe you. I am very sorry, and I will pray for you because I am living it, as well!

abb123 | @abb123 | Aug 10 2:43pm

In reply to @gravity3 "What does your surgeon say about this?" + (show)

@gravity3 He says he is totally uncertain of what it is from. He is a very good surgeon, but its hard to believe I am the only patient to ever have felt this. My son, who is also an MD, but diff field, says he thinks it is due to my body having a hard time adjusting to the new bio-mechanics of my spine. That for 70 years, my back moved one way and now it has to move differently.

abb123 | @abb123 | Aug 10 2:45pm

In reply to @dadkins "I am 62 (near 63) yo woman with RA, osteopenia, DDD, osteoarthritis, and Raynauds (those are..." + (show)

@dadkins Thanks for your reply ! It is so frustrating to be have complaints dismissed. Im sorry you are struggling with this as well. It hurts and noone seems to have any notion of what to do!

jenatsky | @jenatsky | 8 hours ago

Is it that the doctors are dismissing your complaint or is it that the doctors don’t have the answer and do not offer and cannot offer you one? Your expectations of getting an answer for your complaint most likely will not be met. We as patients need to believe that doctors are not gods and they don’t have all the answers. We can all hope they can answer our questions but I think you’ve hit a wall and need to accept an answer for the moment. It might become something down the road or you may assimilate your fusion and new body positioning eventually. Considering how long it took your spine to breakdown anything new will need time for adjustment.