Post by Knight on Sept 24, 2014 0:23:30 GMT -8
I looked, and I haven't seen any posts specifically about the pain and stiffness that comes when you have spinal hardware. It is a very unique kind of pain, and almost as difficult to deal with as nerve pain. Having hardware of any size leaves feelings of constant stiffness, aching, immobility, and, the worst thing is that having hardware can cause problems too. If it is not put in correctly, there is a great chance that it Will dislodge and potentially put pressure on nerves, nerve roots, the spinal cord, and/or the Cauda Equina. Hardware is generally only left in for anywhere from 6 months to two years, but, depending on your strength, extent of damage, and reasons for hardware placement, it may be left in longer or for the rest of your life, if there are no problems with it.
Temperature can also play a large role in hardware pain. MRI's can heat up hardware, so they are generally avoided if there are no new or different symptoms. If your doctor or surgeon needs to check the placement of your hardware, he/she will usually use an X-Ray first, then maybe a CT scan. Cold can cause a horrible ache around hardware because metal loses heat more quickly than human tissue does. Cold from an air conditioner, weather, or an ice pack can cause a pretty bad ache. For those who live in the north (i.e. Canada, Northern states, UK, etc.), the pain can become almost unbearable. High and low pressure systems (storms) can also affect how your hardware feels.
Having hardware limits flexibility, and sometimes, mobility. Twisting is warned against and hurts quite badly. It's tough to remember that right after you get it put in, though! You may have to adjust your sleeping position multiple times throughout the night, or change your sleeping habits. By limiting motion of some of your vertebrae, hardware can put extra strain on your vertebrae above and below it, and might cause damage if you're not careful about twisting. It can also cause muscle atrophy since you don't use those muscles anymore. Your muscles disappear because your back is "lazy," relying on the hardware to hold you up. Hardware can also freak out your nerves since it is in your spine. After insertion, you might have some loss or regain of function or sensation. Most people will regain lost function/sensation soon after surgery, but some do not.
When getting, removing, or living with spinal/cervical hardware, it is good to follow your doctor and/or surgeon's instructions, and notify them if things change.
-I wrote this from my own experiences, advice, and instructions from my surgeon.-