Hardware failure from fusions

@eddiestella1 Absolutely hardware can cause pain. I am a cervical fusion patient, but I did that surgery without getting hardware, but when I broke my ankle badly 3 years ago, I became the owner of some titanium plates and screws. That did cause pain like I was getting kicked in the leg all the time, I had some slight skin pigmentation over the plates, and I was having chronic hives that were only controlled by staying on antihistamines all the time. I had the hardware removed after I was healed more than a year and all of that resolved itself. It was a good choice.

I am sorry to hear you had to go through all of that. It sounds awful. I don’t have a rash or any pigmentations but I feel like there is a knife sticking out of the bone in my back. It’s awful. The pain is so bad that 6 mg hydromorphone won’t touch the pain.
I’m getting an injection to see if the pain will go away. If it does it’s definitely the hardware causing the pain.

Hi @eddiestella1. I'd like to also invite @bl780349 who also discussed having hardware removed after a fusion.

It is a bit unrelated, but there is a robust discussion on removing hardware from tibial plateau fractures:
- Hardware removal after tibial plateau fractures (tpf)
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hardware-removal-after-tibial-plateau-fracture/

@eddiestella1 - did your provider discuss how long after your injection you could expect to see, or not see, results? Did they also indicate that if you did get relief that it was likely the hardware that was the cause of your pain?

Thank you for the information! He didn’t indicate how long it would take but he did say if I got relief it’s the hardware that’s causing the pain. I’ve had enough diagnostic injections so I’m assuming I should get relief right away.
The doc. would not be removing all the hardware. Just the hardware he thinks is causing the pain. It’s sitting right over my SI bone. That piece of hardware doesn’t need to be in there.

Cheers to the third opinion doc.
Hardware can move after surgery. There can be allergic reactions to hardware. But neither seem to be the issue with yours.

Yes I am hoping this is the answer because I am running out of options. I’m so thankful I got a third opinion.

Jennifer, you are likely allergic to titanium. Pray not, but if you have occasion to visit an orthopedic surgeon in future: " Titanium and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implants have been used in spinal surgery with low rejection rates. Compared to titanium, PEEK has many advantages, including a density more similar to that of bone, radiolucency, and a lack of artifacts in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)". Ceramic hip joints are smoother than the titanium replacements.
I'm still too new to this forum to post links.

How do they determine if I am allergic to the titanium? Right now there is a screw over my SI joint bone that he thinks is causing the pain. I’m getting an injection in a couple weeks that will determine that. If that’s the case he is going to remove it. He will leave the other hardware in because it’s already fused into my bones. I also have two loose screws that needs to be fixed on my left SI.

@eddiestella1 There is a lab in Chicago that tests for allergies and immune responses to materials in surgical implants. It is a bit pricey and my insurance didn't cover it. I paid around $500 for the blood test 7 years ago. A sample needs to be shipped and stay warm during shipping so they supply a heat pack. My results did not indicate any reactions, but then problems can develop after a period of time from exposure to a material. Here is the link:

I think the steroid injections work by reducing inflammation, and that can reduce pressure that is causing pain. It's a common thing spine surgeons do to determine if surgery will help relieve pain with decompression. I guess it's possible to have pain without having an allergic reaction too.

Wow that’s crazy that you would be responsible for paying for this. It should be the orthopedic office who put in the titanium’s to pay for this. They are the ones that decide what type of metal goes on you. I really hope this do. Is right about the hardware that’s over my SI joint causing the pain. Because if that’s not the case I’m stuck living in horrible pain. Pain meds, pain pumps and stimulators don’t work with my type of pain.
Thank you so much for the information. I will check it out!