Re: Medtronics Spinal Screws snapped like twigs...
Posted by Cindy on 12/04/06

On 11/02/06, Chuck wrote:
> My experience with Medtronics comes from the pedicular
> instrumentation screws used in my spine to stabilize it
> during spinal fusion. Two of the screws in my sacral
> vertebrea broke very soon after surgery. I have some re-
> compression of my vertabrea (pain) and am facing the
> possiblity of having further surgery to assure spinal
> fusion and to remove the broken hardware. The screws are
> manufactured by Medtronics and are titanium (not supposed
> to break) so go figure...


Chuck,

I had a lumbar laminectomy 5 years ago in December. I just
found out that I also have a broken screw, made by Sulzer
Spincetech (now Zimmer Spine). I also thought those things
were not supposed to break. I smoke and the surgeon that I
went to see at New Albany Surgical Hospital said that there
is a 50% chance that you will not heal completely if you
smoke. That was news to me! Needless to say I've quit! I
go to have the hardware removed December 13, 2006. He's not
sure what he can do for me until he gets in there and sees
if there is a (small) fracture to my vertebrea...I guess you
can't see it with an MRI. If the bone is cracked he can
only replace the hardware... if it's not he is going to use
bone for the fusion and some other manmade materials...to be
honest I was in shock when he told me this. I haven't had
any falls or accidnents so I have no clue how this has
happened.

I would be intrested in know what you decide to do and your
progress. When this first started (the new pain) in August
I thought I pulled a muscle. Well it didn't get better so I
went for an x-ray and they found the screw...part broken off
in the bone and part just hanging there attached to the
plate. I am now "crazy" in pain...That's why I'm getting
the surgery ASAP. I don't know what to think...my smoking?
The surgeon's placement of the screws...the screws
themselves? I don't know what happened but I'm going to try
to find out! Take care and best of luck to you!

Cindy

Posts on this thread, including this one

• Medtronics Spinal Screws snapped like twigs..., 11/02/06, by Chuck.
• Re: Medtronics Spinal Screws snapped like twigs..., 12/04/06, by Cindy.
• Re: dont do itRe: Medtronics Spinal Screws snapped like twigs..., 12/22/06, by wes, 23; 3surgeries, paralized,ill, pain!! stop after remova.
• Re: Medtronics Spinal Screws snapped like twigs..., 1/03/07, by Chuck.
• Re: Medtronics Spinal Screws snapped like twigs..., 6/08/07, by Mary.
• Re: Medtronics Spinal Screws snapped like twigs..., 9/05/07, by Sadonna.
• Re: Medtronics Spinal Screws snapped like twigs..., 6/18/08, by Mary C. in Arkansas.
• Re: Medtronics Spinal Screws snapped like twigs..., 8/19/08, by beth.