Can spinal Titanium braces (Lumber bone-fusion) weaken and become loose after ma!
Question: Screws, plates, or rods (also known as hardware, implants, or instrumentation) are used to immobilize the spine, which thereby enhances the healing process. Hardware acts as an internal splint. Historically, braces or casts were used. However, research has found that they are not as effective in immobilizing the spine. If too much motion occurs the vertebrae may not fuse together. This is known as a pseudarthrosis or nonunion. The incidence of pseudarthrosis ranges from 15 to 40% without hardware. If this occurs, further surgery may be required to stimulate the bone to fuse. Screws, rods, and plates have been shown to significantly decrease the rate of nonunion.
Once the fusion process is completed, it is the fusion that holds the spine stable, not the hardware. Therefore, if the fusion is solid the hardware really serves no purpose, doctors do not recommend the routine removal of the hardware as that would require an additional operation with no benefit to the patient. If the fusion is not solid, there is a high probability that the hardware will loosen or break. This is not dangerous and will not cause nerve damage as the hardware is buried deep within the fusion mass, similar to steel rods buried in concrete for reinforcement.
Answers: Screws, plates, or rods (also known as hardware, implants, or instrumentation) are used to immobilize the spine, which thereby enhances the healing process. Hardware acts as an internal splint. Historically, braces or casts were used. However, research has found that they are not as effective in immobilizing the spine. If too much motion occurs the vertebrae may not fuse together. This is known as a pseudarthrosis or nonunion. The incidence of pseudarthrosis ranges from 15 to 40% without hardware. If this occurs, further surgery may be required to stimulate the bone to fuse. Screws, rods, and plates have been shown to significantly decrease the rate of nonunion.
Once the fusion process is completed, it is the fusion that holds the spine stable, not the hardware. Therefore, if the fusion is solid the hardware really serves no purpose, doctors do not recommend the routine removal of the hardware as that would require an additional operation with no benefit to the patient. If the fusion is not solid, there is a high probability that the hardware will loosen or break. This is not dangerous and will not cause nerve damage as the hardware is buried deep within the fusion mass, similar to steel rods buried in concrete for reinforcement.
Yes, they can, but it all depends on your daily activities. A girl I went to high school with and I have both had spinal fusions. She played basketball and ended up having to have hers removed. Mine are still in place and doing just great.