@zorrospouse, I'd like to invite back @cgmc who had discussed a scoliosis fusion and hardware removal. I'd also like to invite a few members who discussed having hardware removed from hip surgery, although it is not the same injury type, they may be able to share their experience with having surgery to remove hardware that perhaps has some similar experiences. @rlwilliams, @clca, and @skronky100 discussed having hardware removed after tibial fractures.

@zorrospouse, has your surgeon discussed with you what your next steps are after removal of the hardware?

Hi. I had a long fusion, T4-L3, and was quite thin at that time. The hardware was giving me a lot of pain, and after a period of pain meds, rest, and PT, my doc decided to remove all the hardware. This was over a year post surgery, and my fusion was healed/ intact. I wouldn’t recommend a second surgery unless it is absolutely necessary, as spine surgery is major. I guess the question would be, why did the fusion fail for you?

Hardware being replace with rods and attempting fusion again.

Ok. Did the fusion fail because of your hardware, or was it your bone….osteoporosis or osteopenia? If it was your bone’s inability to fuse I would suggest that you first go to a doctor who deals with this before getting another fusion.

Poor surgery, hardware placement has puzzled all current doctors. Surgeon who did last surgery has lost his license due to numerous issues. Hopefully replacing badly done surgery hardware will allow fusion to be successful.

I have had the hardware removed from a prior surgery during current a current surgery as long as the prior fusion has fused. So far, I have had 4 sets of hardware removed. I currently have hardware from C4-C7 & T12 to L3. As long as I don't have any pain from the hardware, they will remain. Best of luck 🙂