Iliac Screws

[Guest guest]

My understanding, and well gee I am not an expert either, is that

they are used to stabilize you so that you can fuse at that low L5/S1

level and I think 10 to 20% need to have them removed after the

fusion has taken.

?

Ann

>

> I think that was my comment. That isn't what they are for?

>

> I never know where I've gotten my info from, and these days I'm not

trusting

> myself for much. And Dr. Rand says I'm really on light pain

medication!

>

> Sharon

>

>

> [ ] Re: Bonnie, Bending, and SI Joints

>

> > I was curious about someone's comments that the bolts would help

> > stabilize the SI joints. I had heard the opposite. Anyone know

for sure?

> > Bonnie and , I am so sorry that you guys are having trouble

with

> > your SI joints too. , Rand told me he doesn't touch them and

that

> > they were hard to get to. So, if you ever consider fusion,I would

be

> > very cautious with whom you pick as a surgeon.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi...

Sorry, I don't really have a clue. The one thing I THINK I know about

iliac bolts v. sacral screws is that iliac bolts are thought to be

more secure.

--

> >

> > I think that was my comment. That isn't what they are for?

> >

> > I never know where I've gotten my info from, and these days I'm not

> trusting

> > myself for much. And Dr. Rand says I'm really on light pain

> medication!

> >

> > Sharon

> >

> >

> > [ ] Re: Bonnie, Bending, and SI Joints

> >

> > > I was curious about someone's comments that the bolts would help

> > > stabilize the SI joints. I had heard the opposite. Anyone know

> for sure?

> > > Bonnie and , I am so sorry that you guys are having trouble

> with

> > > your SI joints too. , Rand told me he doesn't touch them and

> that

> > > they were hard to get to. So, if you ever consider fusion,I would

> be

> > > very cautious with whom you pick as a surgeon.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Group,

I don't recall reading about iliac screws here. Is anyone having

problems with theirs? This is probably the one thing that scares me

most about this upcoming surgery of mine!

-CA do you have them? I am under the impression that I need to have

them because I'm on my second revision and the fact that the brace will

be different with these " thigh cuffs " . Cam mentioned that you might

have that type of brace so I wondered.

I read an article by Dr. Bridwell that discussed the use of these and

also mentioned " sacral screws " . I guess sacral screws go into your

S1,2,3, etc. joints and these iliac screws go into your hips? I don't

know my anatomy well enough, I guess! LOL! Either way they sound

OUCHY!!! Dr. Rand said a lot of his patients end up coming back to get

them removed.

~Kelley

[Guest guest]

Hi Kelley -

I've had iliac screws since my first revision in 2001 and they

haven't bothered me in the slightest. I've read here before that

one of the doctors (can't remember which) has said that many

patients return to get them removed later on also. I don't know

about this - I will check with Dr. Hu at my appointment next month

and see what she says about this. To my knowledge, they are used to

stabilize the spine. So I can't imagine them coming out at any

time. I too was terrified about getting them......but I truly can't

even feel them.

As to a brace with " thigh cuffs " ? I'm not sure what you mean by

this. My TLSO brace is no different than any, except that Dr. Hu

did have a leg extension put on mine to support my weak leg with

the dropfoot.

Having a second revision is very scary Kelley - but once it's done

it's really no different than recovering from your first. Hang in

there.

My Best,

~CA ~

>

>

> Dear Group,

>

> I don't recall reading about iliac screws here. Is anyone having

> problems with theirs? This is probably the one thing that scares

me

> most about this upcoming surgery of mine!

>

> -CA do you have them? I am under the impression that I need

to have

> them because I'm on my second revision and the fact that the brace

will

> be different with these " thigh cuffs " . Cam mentioned that you

might

> have that type of brace so I wondered.

>

> I read an article by Dr. Bridwell that discussed the use of these

and

> also mentioned " sacral screws " . I guess sacral screws go into your

> S1,2,3, etc. joints and these iliac screws go into your hips? I

don't

> know my anatomy well enough, I guess! LOL! Either way they sound

> OUCHY!!! Dr. Rand said a lot of his patients end up coming back

to get

> them removed.

>

> ~Kelley

>

[Guest guest]

,

So far mine are okay. For the first six month after surgery on one

side I thought I was experiencing something related, little " bee

stings " as DrRand called them (which captured it perfectly)....but

then it stopped.....and started on the other side! That went on for

a few months...and now seems to have gone away. He showed me where

he could detect a little halo around one screw, which I understood

means it was moving a little.

I haven't asked for a copy of the CT from my one year...but I will

be interested to see if there is any mention. So....fingers crossed.

I think ette(LaGrone) had hers out last fall and Martha .

(Bridwell) had hers out this spring. You can search under their

names to read more. I know that they won't take them out until 18

months...and I recall they both said that surgery was relatively

easy. I put that concern on the bottom of my worry pile!

Take Care,

Cam

[Guest guest]

As I understand it ALL hardware is put in to support the spine while the fusion heals. Once the fusion is determined to be solid and healed completely there is really no further need for the supporting hardware, including iliac screws, pedicle screws, etc. However, most surgeons don't see any reason for removing them if they're not bothersome to the patient.

"Halos" around the screws are an indication that they're moving and if they're moving that's indicative of psuedarthrosis or non-union of the fusion - NOT GOOD! I have several of those halos now, the worst is two screws that appear to move over 1/2" on my bending films and seem to be trying to wiggle their way out!

Cam, if Dr. Rand is seeing halos you can bet he's going to pay really close attention to that on your follow-up visits. )

~Kelley> >> > > > Dear Group,> > > > I don't recall reading about iliac screws here. Is anyone having> > problems with theirs? This is probably the one thing that scares > me> > most about this upcoming surgery of mine!> > > > -CA do you have them? I am under the impression that I need > to have> > them because I'm on my second revision and the fact that the brace > will> > be different with these "thigh cuffs". Cam mentioned that you > might> > have that type of brace so I wondered.> > > > I read an article by Dr. Bridwell that discussed the use of these > and> > also mentioned "sacral screws". I guess sacral screws go into your> > S1,2,3, etc. joints and these iliac screws go into your hips? I > don't> > know my anatomy well enough, I guess! LOL! Either way they sound> > OUCHY!!! Dr. Rand said a lot of his patients end up coming back > to get> > them removed.> > > > ~Kelley> >>

[Guest guest]

Dr. Rand told me that approximately 50% of patients with iliac screws need them removed at some point. I thought that sounded a tad high. But yeah, there's plenty of bigger stuff to worry about.

Sharon

[ ] Re: Iliac Screws

--Is that what that little feeling is....I get it once in awhile...bee sting captures it correctly. m- In , "cammaltby" <cammaltby@...> wrote:>> ,> > So far mine are okay. For the first six month after surgery on one > side I thought I was experiencing something related, little "bee > stings" as DrRand called them (which captured it perfectly)....but > then it stopped.....and started on the other side! That went on for > a few months...and now seems to have gone away. He showed me where > he could detect a little halo around one screw, which I understood > means it was moving a little.> > I haven't asked for a copy of the CT from my one year...but I will > be interested to see if there is any mention. So....fingers crossed.> > I think ette(LaGrone) had hers out last fall and Martha .> (Bridwell) had hers out this spring. You can search under their > names to read more. I know that they won't take them out until 18 > months...and I recall they both said that surgery was relatively > easy. I put that concern on the bottom of my worry pile!> > Take Care,> Cam>

[Guest guest]

" Oh dear lord..I can't even imagine being cut again to have anything

removed... " " I hope to never have to enter the

hospital for another back surgery again!!! "

Boy, am I with you on these ! My feelings exactly. Seems we

have more in common than just our name!

~CA ~

> > >

> > > ,

> > >

> > > So far mine are okay. For the first six month after surgery

on

> one

> > > side I thought I was experiencing something related,

> little " bee

> > > stings " as DrRand called them (which captured it

> perfectly)....but

> > > then it stopped.....and started on the other side! That went

on

> for

> > > a few months...and now seems to have gone away. He showed me

> where

> > > he could detect a little halo around one screw, which I

> understood

> > > means it was moving a little.

> > >

> > > I haven't asked for a copy of the CT from my one year...but

I

> will

> > > be interested to see if there is any mention. So....fingers

> crossed.

> > >

> > > I think ette(LaGrone) had hers out last fall and Martha .

> > > (Bridwell) had hers out this spring. You can search under

their

> > > names to read more. I know that they won't take them out

until

> 18

> > > months...and I recall they both said that surgery was

> relatively

> > > easy. I put that concern on the bottom of my worry pile!

> > >

> > > Take Care,

> > > Cam

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Kelley and Cam,

Interesting how different surgeons work. My surgeon has no intention

of taking out Iliac screws. When I asked about removing them and

talk of issues with them, he said he had not removed any from his

patients, except one, he had to do unrelated work too.

>

> ,

>

> So far mine are okay. For the first six month after surgery on one

> side I thought I was experiencing something related, little " bee

> stings " as DrRand called them (which captured it perfectly)....but

> then it stopped.....and started on the other side! That went on

for

> a few months...and now seems to have gone away. He showed me where

> he could detect a little halo around one screw, which I understood

> means it was moving a little.

>

> I haven't asked for a copy of the CT from my one year...but I will

> be interested to see if there is any mention. So....fingers

crossed.

>

> I think ette(LaGrone) had hers out last fall and Martha .

> (Bridwell) had hers out this spring. You can search under their

> names to read more. I know that they won't take them out until 18

> months...and I recall they both said that surgery was relatively

> easy. I put that concern on the bottom of my worry pile!

>

> Take Care,

> Cam

>

[Guest guest]

>

Hi...

Iliac bolts are pretty prominent in some people, and in those cases,

can be removed after a few years. It's actually the bolt heads that

cause the problem. I don't know about other surgeons, but Dr. Berven

is currently burring off the tops of the bolts in an effort to avoid

the problem. I find myself wondering what happens if the bolts needs

to be removed and there's no head on which they can grab.

, the thigh cuff brace was the brace that Dr. Hu originally wanted

for you. I can't remember if you actually got one or not (there were

so many revisions to it). The thigh cuff is an entirely separate

piece that attaches at the bottom of the brace. When the patient

wants to sit down, they use a mechanical release which allows the

joint between the TLSO and the cuff to bend at 90 degrees.

Regards,

> Hi Kelley -

>

> I've had iliac screws since my first revision in 2001 and they

> haven't bothered me in the slightest. I've read here before that

> one of the doctors (can't remember which) has said that many

> patients return to get them removed later on also. I don't know

> about this - I will check with Dr. Hu at my appointment next month

> and see what she says about this. To my knowledge, they are used to

> stabilize the spine. So I can't imagine them coming out at any

> time. I too was terrified about getting them......but I truly can't

> even feel them.

> As to a brace with " thigh cuffs " ? I'm not sure what you mean by

> this. My TLSO brace is no different than any, except that Dr. Hu

> did have a leg extension put on mine to support my weak leg with

> the dropfoot.

> Having a second revision is very scary Kelley - but once it's done

> it's really no different than recovering from your first. Hang in

> there.

> My Best,

> ~CA ~

[Guest guest]

Hi -

Yes, that thigh cuff was made onto my TLSO - but if you remember, I

was totally unable to walk with it so Dr. Hu had it removed and a

smaller type - one that didn't wrap around my thight - was put on.

That was the beginning on my TLSO nightmare. It never was fitted

correctly while I was there.....they tried to correct it when I was

at that Rehab, with not much success. I'm still wearing the damned

uncomfortable ill-fitting thing to this date too. As Dr. Hu

stated: ill-fitting or not, it has done a very good job according

to my 6 weeks x-rays. When I see you next month you'll see the

thing, and get a good laugh.

~~

> >

> Hi...

>

> Iliac bolts are pretty prominent in some people, and in those

cases,

> can be removed after a few years. It's actually the bolt heads

that

> cause the problem. I don't know about other surgeons, but Dr.

Berven

> is currently burring off the tops of the bolts in an effort to

avoid

> the problem. I find myself wondering what happens if the bolts

needs

> to be removed and there's no head on which they can grab.

>

> , the thigh cuff brace was the brace that Dr. Hu originally

wanted

> for you. I can't remember if you actually got one or not (there

were

> so many revisions to it). The thigh cuff is an entirely separate

> piece that attaches at the bottom of the brace. When the patient

> wants to sit down, they use a mechanical release which allows the

> joint between the TLSO and the cuff to bend at 90 degrees.

>

> Regards,

>

>

> > Hi Kelley -

> >

> > I've had iliac screws since my first revision in 2001 and they

> > haven't bothered me in the slightest. I've read here before

that

> > one of the doctors (can't remember which) has said that many

> > patients return to get them removed later on also. I don't know

> > about this - I will check with Dr. Hu at my appointment next

month

> > and see what she says about this. To my knowledge, they are

used to

> > stabilize the spine. So I can't imagine them coming out at any

> > time. I too was terrified about getting them......but I truly

can't

> > even feel them.

> > As to a brace with " thigh cuffs " ? I'm not sure what you mean by

> > this. My TLSO brace is no different than any, except that Dr.

Hu

> > did have a leg extension put on mine to support my weak leg with

> > the dropfoot.

> > Having a second revision is very scary Kelley - but once it's

done

> > it's really no different than recovering from your first. Hang

in

> > there.

> > My Best,

> > ~CA ~

>

[Guest guest]

You know it used to be that they'd send you to a good orthotist who then

made a custom brace from a cast form. Now they just come and measure

you while lying in bed in the hospital and then expect the thing to fit

right! At least that was my experience in 1999 after my revision

surgery. ~Kelley

> > >

> > Hi...

> >

> > Iliac bolts are pretty prominent in some people, and in those

> cases,

> > can be removed after a few years. It's actually the bolt heads

> that

> > cause the problem. I don't know about other surgeons, but Dr.

> Berven

> > is currently burring off the tops of the bolts in an effort to

> avoid

> > the problem. I find myself wondering what happens if the bolts

> needs

> > to be removed and there's no head on which they can grab.

> >

> > , the thigh cuff brace was the brace that Dr. Hu originally

> wanted

> > for you. I can't remember if you actually got one or not (there

> were

> > so many revisions to it). The thigh cuff is an entirely separate

> > piece that attaches at the bottom of the brace. When the patient

> > wants to sit down, they use a mechanical release which allows the

> > joint between the TLSO and the cuff to bend at 90 degrees.

> >

> > Regards,

> >

> >

> > > Hi Kelley -

> > >

> > > I've had iliac screws since my first revision in 2001 and they

> > > haven't bothered me in the slightest. I've read here before

> that

> > > one of the doctors (can't remember which) has said that many

> > > patients return to get them removed later on also. I don't know

> > > about this - I will check with Dr. Hu at my appointment next

> month

> > > and see what she says about this. To my knowledge, they are

> used to

> > > stabilize the spine. So I can't imagine them coming out at any

> > > time. I too was terrified about getting them......but I truly

> can't

> > > even feel them.

> > > As to a brace with " thigh cuffs " ? I'm not sure what you mean by

> > > this. My TLSO brace is no different than any, except that Dr.

> Hu

> > > did have a leg extension put on mine to support my weak leg with

> > > the dropfoot.

> > > Having a second revision is very scary Kelley - but once it's

> done

> > > it's really no different than recovering from your first. Hang

> in

> > > there.

> > > My Best,

> > > ~CA ~

> >

>

[Guest guest]

How right you are Kelley! That's exactly what they did, and when I

complained to the orthotist that something wasn't right - he got

very angry and said that his work was ALWAYS right! So if I hadn't

have had an orthotist with an attitude, I probably would have had my

brace adjusted right to begin with! LOL

~~

> > > >

> > > Hi...

> > >

> > > Iliac bolts are pretty prominent in some people, and in those

> > cases,

> > > can be removed after a few years. It's actually the bolt heads

> > that

> > > cause the problem. I don't know about other surgeons, but Dr.

> > Berven

> > > is currently burring off the tops of the bolts in an effort to

> > avoid

> > > the problem. I find myself wondering what happens if the bolts

> > needs

> > > to be removed and there's no head on which they can grab.

> > >

> > > , the thigh cuff brace was the brace that Dr. Hu originally

> > wanted

> > > for you. I can't remember if you actually got one or not (there

> > were

> > > so many revisions to it). The thigh cuff is an entirely

separate

> > > piece that attaches at the bottom of the brace. When the

patient

> > > wants to sit down, they use a mechanical release which allows

the

> > > joint between the TLSO and the cuff to bend at 90 degrees.

> > >

> > > Regards,

> > >

> > >

> > > > Hi Kelley -

> > > >

> > > > I've had iliac screws since my first revision in 2001 and

they

> > > > haven't bothered me in the slightest. I've read here before

> > that

> > > > one of the doctors (can't remember which) has said that many

> > > > patients return to get them removed later on also. I don't

know

> > > > about this - I will check with Dr. Hu at my appointment next

> > month

> > > > and see what she says about this. To my knowledge, they are

> > used to

> > > > stabilize the spine. So I can't imagine them coming out at

any

> > > > time. I too was terrified about getting them......but I truly

> > can't

> > > > even feel them.

> > > > As to a brace with " thigh cuffs " ? I'm not sure what you mean

by

> > > > this. My TLSO brace is no different than any, except that Dr.

> > Hu

> > > > did have a leg extension put on mine to support my weak leg

with

> > > > the dropfoot.

> > > > Having a second revision is very scary Kelley - but once it's

> > done

> > > > it's really no different than recovering from your first.

Hang

> > in

> > > > there.

> > > > My Best,

> > > > ~CA ~

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie...

People have described it to me as an ache right above the heads of the

screws, as well as a feeling of being bruised when those spots are

pressed.

Regards,

>

> Hi ,

>

> Just curious: what are the symptoms for needing iliac screws removed?

>

>

> Thanks.

>

> Bonnie

[Guest guest]

MARY PA AND MARY CA, I HEAR YOU I NEVER WANT TO HAVE AN OPERATION

AGAUIN IN MY LIFE EITHER..LET'S JUST HOPE AND PRAY WE NEVER HAVE TO

DO THAT AGAIN..VONNIE

> > > >

> > > > ,

> > > >

> > > > So far mine are okay. For the first six month after surgery

> on

> > one

> > > > side I thought I was experiencing something related,

> > little " bee

> > > > stings " as DrRand called them (which captured it

> > perfectly)....but

> > > > then it stopped.....and started on the other side! That

went

> on

> > for

> > > > a few months...and now seems to have gone away. He showed

me

> > where

> > > > he could detect a little halo around one screw, which I

> > understood

> > > > means it was moving a little.

> > > >

> > > > I haven't asked for a copy of the CT from my one year...but

> I

> > will

> > > > be interested to see if there is any mention. So....fingers

> > crossed.

> > > >

> > > > I think ette(LaGrone) had hers out last fall and

Martha .

> > > > (Bridwell) had hers out this spring. You can search under

> their

> > > > names to read more. I know that they won't take them out

> until

> > 18

> > > > months...and I recall they both said that surgery was

> > relatively

> > > > easy. I put that concern on the bottom of my worry pile!

> > > >

> > > > Take Care,

> > > > Cam

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

---

Yes, Vonnie..NEVER!! I had one of those bee stings today from what I

think might be the lliac crew sight and I thought OH NO!!!! <pa

In , " Vonnie " <vonniec20032000@...>

wrote:

>

> MARY PA AND MARY CA, I HEAR YOU I NEVER WANT TO HAVE AN OPERATION

> AGAUIN IN MY LIFE EITHER..LET'S JUST HOPE AND PRAY WE NEVER HAVE TO

> DO THAT AGAIN..VONNIE

> > > > >

> > > > > ,

> > > > >

> > > > > So far mine are okay. For the first six month after

surgery

> > on

> > > one

> > > > > side I thought I was experiencing something related,

> > > little " bee

> > > > > stings " as DrRand called them (which captured it

> > > perfectly)....but

> > > > > then it stopped.....and started on the other side! That

> went

> > on

> > > for

> > > > > a few months...and now seems to have gone away. He showed

> me

> > > where

> > > > > he could detect a little halo around one screw, which I

> > > understood

> > > > > means it was moving a little.

> > > > >

> > > > > I haven't asked for a copy of the CT from my one

year...but

> > I

> > > will

> > > > > be interested to see if there is any mention.

So....fingers

> > > crossed.

> > > > >

> > > > > I think ette(LaGrone) had hers out last fall and

> Martha .

> > > > > (Bridwell) had hers out this spring. You can search under

> > their

> > > > > names to read more. I know that they won't take them out

> > until

> > > 18

> > > > > months...and I recall they both said that surgery was

> > > relatively

> > > > > easy. I put that concern on the bottom of my worry pile!

> > > > >

> > > > > Take Care,

> > > > > Cam

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Franca, it's so good to hear from you again. Hey, maybe since the bee stings have resolved to "uncomfortable", perhaps by fall the "uncomfortable" will have resolved. I hope so.

I'm pretty sure he said 50%. I'll have to ask Hubby how he remembers it.

Sharon

[ ] Re: Iliac Screws

I might be needing to get my iliac screw removed, but I am holding off till fall. For now I am going to enjoy my summer since last year I spent it recovering from revision.Sharon I wonder if Dr Rand increased the percentage rate of iliac screws being removed? because I could have sworn he told me 25% need to be removed either one side or the other. Before I or Rand decides to remove it I have to get a shot to make sure thats whats causing it. I think it's a nerve block injection? I need to ask him some questions about it. But has anyone here ever had the injection Dr Rand is talking about? and did it relive the pain? and for how long?I was getting the bee sting pain the first 6-8mth after surgery, but now I wouldn't describe it as that but just an uncomfortable feelingand I take tramadol to relieve it. Sometimes at night I get a puling feeling down my leg, or like a twitching restlesness. It's definatly nerve related because of the strange feeling I get sometimes to the bottom of my foot. But surgery to remove it is simple out-patient. I'm not sure how long recovery is, but probably not too long. Take care all!Franca> > > > > >> > > > > > ,> > > > > > > > > > > > So far mine are okay. For the first six month after > surgery > > > on > > > > one > > > > > > side I thought I was experiencing something related, > > > > little "bee > > > > > > stings" as DrRand called them (which captured it > > > > perfectly)....but > > > > > > then it stopped.....and started on the other side! That > > went > > > on > > > > for > > > > > > a few months...and now seems to have gone away. He showed > > me > > > > where > > > > > > he could detect a little halo around one screw, which I > > > > understood > > > > > > means it was moving a little.> > > > > > > > > > > > I haven't asked for a copy of the CT from my one > year...but > > > I > > > > will > > > > > > be interested to see if there is any mention. > So....fingers > > > > crossed.> > > > > > > > > > > > I think ette(LaGrone) had hers out last fall and > > Martha .> > > > > > (Bridwell) had hers out this spring. You can search under > > > their > > > > > > names to read more. I know that they won't take them out > > > until > > > > 18 > > > > > > months...and I recall they both said that surgery was > > > > relatively > > > > > > easy. I put that concern on the bottom of my worry pile!> > > > > > > > > > > > Take Care,> > > > > > Cam> > > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

I too remember DrRand saying far less than 50% want their screws

removed...I have a definite recollection that he minimized the idea

that I would need that procedure and said that he " does a pretty

good job of burying the screws " ...I don't know if that means that he

burrs them off like others have mentioned. so far, I haven't

considered that they are problematic, so for me he was correct.

I think for me the " bee sting " period lasted until somewhere around

last fall..so 8-10 months post op...maybe a little longer. Then

around the holidays as I was stepping up my PT and swimming I

started thinking maybe the feeling right along my tailbone might be

the screws...but I worked throuh that and concluded that I must have

been working new muscles or tendons that work at the flutter

kick...because those have resolved...

Anyway...it is worth waiting until you are well into the healing if

you can stand it! Good to hear from you Franca. I am glad to hear

how you are doing and hoping that those pesky screws settle down too!

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

I did actualy think that this feeling would resolve if I give

myself more time but you know like instinct that it isn't going to

go away sudenly or gradually because if I had at least one or two

good days where I didn't have discomfort I would feel more confident

that it will get better I have been told I have a high pain

tolerance. but ocasionaly I wake up in the middle of the knight with

a pulling feeling down my leg and I try just changing positions but

it doesn't help till I take the tramadol. You know when it is a

nerve that is giving that numb pain and strange feeling, its hard to

describe. if I push it without taking pain meds then it gets worse

and even lying down doesnt help because as I mentioned earyer I get

the pulling feeling I am still verry active I swim, hike and do

gardening. I even danced!!! (no hip movements though)

I won't be getting the screw removed until I first speak with Dr

Rand and I won't be getting the injection until Dr Rand answers my

questions and depending on the answers the I will decide to get the

injection Then mull it over some more before getting the removed. But

as I said earlier I am going to enjoy my summer even if I have to

take pain medicine to do it.

Sory for the long letter I hardly ever get on the computer and can't

keep up to what all of you are doing. but to those schedualed for

surgery (Sharon) and others my thoughts and prayers are with you.

I have no regrets for my surgery and I am happy. Need to go Bey

Franca

>

>

> I too remember DrRand saying far less than 50% want their screws

> removed...I have a definite recollection that he minimized the idea

> that I would need that procedure and said that he " does a pretty

> good job of burying the screws " ...I don't know if that means that

he

> burrs them off like others have mentioned. so far, I haven't

> considered that they are problematic, so for me he was correct.

>

> I think for me the " bee sting " period lasted until somewhere around

> last fall..so 8-10 months post op...maybe a little longer. Then

> around the holidays as I was stepping up my PT and swimming I

> started thinking maybe the feeling right along my tailbone might be

> the screws...but I worked throuh that and concluded that I must

have

> been working new muscles or tendons that work at the flutter

> kick...because those have resolved...

>

> Anyway...it is worth waiting until you are well into the healing if

> you can stand it! Good to hear from you Franca. I am glad to hear

> how you are doing and hoping that those pesky screws settle down

too!

>

> Take Care, Cam

>

[Guest guest]

Sorry I'm so late in responding (wow, this site is busy), but yes, I had my iliac screws removed a year ago (14 months post op from the revision), and the surgery was a piece of cake. They were extremely tender to the touch before I had them removed. I've had no problems since. My next appt. with Dr. LaGrone is April of 07 (will be 3 years post op), unless I need to see him sooner with any problems. ettecammaltby <cammaltby@...> wrote: ,So far mine are okay. For the first six month after surgery on one

side I thought I was experiencing something related, little "bee stings" as DrRand called them (which captured it perfectly)....but then it stopped.....and started on the other side! That went on for a few months...and now seems to have gone away. He showed me where he could detect a little halo around one screw, which I understood means it was moving a little.I haven't asked for a copy of the CT from my one year...but I will be interested to see if there is any mention. So....fingers crossed.I think ette(LaGrone) had hers out last fall and Martha .(Bridwell) had hers out this spring. You can search under their names to read more. I know that they won't take them out until 18 months...and I recall they both said that surgery was relatively easy. I put that concern on the bottom of my worry pile!Take Care,Cam

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