Can pedicle screws cause problems in the spine later on?
I had an L5-S1 lumbar fusion in with the pedicle screws and rods. My surgery was successful and now my x-rays show complete fusion. I play competitive sports (ultimate Frisbee, which involves diving on the ground to catch the disc) and have resumed full activity for the past few years. I’m now 34. I pretty much can do anything, but have had a dull low back pain for the past 6 months, which I’ve recently felt in the sacrum. I also have some sciatica after running hard. I now want to get the hardware out. My doctor thinks I’m doing well and shouldn’t bother getting them out. I really don’t want them in and worry that the rigidity of the metal will cause problems in other parts of the spine later in life. I’ve also heard stories of the screws breaking or causing problems in the bones, but I don’t think I’ve experienced that yet (I probably would know). I don’t hear many stories of young people getting their bolts out, so I don’t know how common it is. Do you have any thoughts?
