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Kyphoplasty and instrumentation removal. Any information?
My husband had an L3-L4 kyphoplasty procedure done for a burst L4 lumbar. Cement was applied to the L4, with screws and instrumentation installed on L3 and L5. He was told that the instrumentation would be removed at the 1-year mark, if healing is complete. However, at his 8-month check in, he was told that he DID NOT need to have the instrumentation removed. Now we are being told that it will be removed. That left both of us confused. Would you keep the instrumentation, or have it removed? Why? We are trying to make a good decision, but we just don’t know what to do. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
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By 'instrumentation', you mean the screws? Those stay in forever, as does the cement. My screws from my L3/L4 fusion are still in 6 years after the surgery and they have not caused me any issues. Different procedure I know. Is he feeling good? If he is I would leave it in, but that is just my opinion.
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3 ReactionsI would definitely consider a second opinion with such poor communication from your providers, if I am understanding all this correctly!
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4 Reactions@insanepain
The surgeon said that for kyphoplasty nothing was fused, and that removing the screws and rod (instrumentation) would give him better range of motion. (Removal after everything has healed. For example, he can no longer put on his socks without using one of those plastic sock aids. He feels unsteady on his feet. I have noticed that he loses his balance while walking. He aches, and he occasionally hears and feels popping in his back. We've tried to get a second opinion, but those doctors want to see an MRI before they will see him. His current doctors are not willing to order an MRI because they say it isn't needed. I just don't know what to do to help him.
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4 Reactions@tillymack
Hi. You are right. We've tried to get a second opinion, but those doctors want to see an MRI before they will see him. His current doctors are not willing to order an MRI because they say it isn't needed. I just don't know what to do to help him.
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3 ReactionsAre you totally set on the second doc or are there others as well qualified, etc? If you want to make it work with the second doc, why not just explain the situation as above, first doc won't order MRI because he doesn't think its necessary. If he wants to see you and needs the MRI, he should be able to figure it out. If not, next...!
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5 ReactionsHello wow i have never heard of removal i am having L4/5 done in October! And I was not told it was even a such thing to remove, I figured once it’s in it’s in and I will also have a spacer yes and rods .. Humm this is very interesting however wishing him the best of course