Pain after lumbar hardware L5-S1 removal.

Posted by retirement75 @retirement75, Jul 19, 2023

I’m asking my healthcare team for information on what my prognosis is for recovery from this and identifying source of pain while being aware I may not get any more pain medication. Feel very frustrated. Shouldn’t they be open to telling me something?

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pita12345 | @pita12345 | Jul 20, 2023

What type of hardware did you have and why was it removed?
I had a minuteman lumbar fusion 9 months ago that was very painful and did not work. I am still in pain and can not do much of anything. Even though it did not work I would be very reluctant to have it removed.

retirement75 | @retirement75 | Jul 20, 2023

I developed a bone infection. The fusion was in 2007. I wouldn’t have had it removed otherwise.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | Jul 29, 2023

If you’ve had your hardware implanted for more than 5 years I believe you should expect to have pain post operatively. After all this time your muscles and grown over the foreign material and your surgeon most likely may need to do some cutting in your back once open. I know how much pain my first surgery in 1992 and I’m not looking to repeat it at 71.