Re: Medtronics Spinal Screws snapped like twigs...
Posted by Mary C. in Arkansas on 6/18/08

On 9/05/07, Sadonna wrote:
> On 6/08/07, Mary wrote:
>> On 12/04/06, Cindy wrote:
>>> 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&37; 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
>>
>> Dear Cindy and Chuck:
>>
>> I don't know who manufactered my screws but they broke about 4
>> months into recovery before the fusion was complete and now
>> they want to basically repeat the operation. I have NEVER
>> smoked so it isn't that and I didn't go skydiving or skiing or
>> even fall so what gives? I am now facing the loss of my job
>> if I have the surgery but I am in constant pain as I have been
>> for the last 2 years. Good luck to you guys and I would
>> appreciate any suggestions.
>>
>> Mary in Miami

Wow....I am amazed at how many more people are having the same
problem that I am. I had a spinal fusion in Oct. and sometime
between the 3rd month and 6th month post-op two of my screws have
broken. They were fine in Feb. and broken by my next xray in May.
I am positive I have done nothing strenous enough to break them so
when I read that the same thing happened to you all I wanted to
cry. I do not smoke.....quit almost 8 years ago. I have not found
out yet what company made the screws but I am betting they are the
same as mentioned here. I have a lot more pain than I was having
just after the surgery and the doctor mentioned I will probably
have to have surgery again to remove the broken screws. I was sick
about that !!!!! I will post again as soon as I find out what kind
of screws they are.

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.