Dynesys screws penetrating anterior vertebral cortex

eternaloptimist1 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 08:04 PM

I have recently learnt that Dynesys screws inserted into my L3/4 vertebrae in 2004 have penetrated the anterior vertebral cortex in several places because they were much too long.
Does anybody have any knowledge of similar occurrences and how these screws are removed from the retroperitoneal area without causing further damage to surrounding tissues arteries or veins?
Currently trying not to panic.....

ans · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 03:33 AM

Oh Geeze. No ideas but did your surgeon(s) say anything so far.

Fingers crossed for you. Ow (emotional and physical pain by proxy)..

ans · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 10:20 AM

They are in the cortex of the bones; bones infections are extremely difficult to treat, God Forbid this happen to you. Finally you're being listened to and although I only sued a guy who rippped me off about a car once,m I dunn, there seems to have been a circle of silence. This may seem ugly but I'd see a good malpractice attorney but maybe I'm wrong. This is my own stuff: when misdiagnoses with cancer repeatedly and treated like a paranoid years ago, I chose not to sue and regert this decision. So I"m sorry if I seem pushy Apologies and the best of health.

mmglobal · #4 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 12:20 AM

It's hard to imagine an inch sticking out. (but I've seen such bizarre things in some other extreme cases.)

My "I'm not a doctor" reaction to the question and fear you express is that the screws will be surrounded by fibrous tissue that will insulate them from surrounding tissues. If they've been that way since 2004 it's hard to imagine them causing a problem.

The screws are supposed to be 'bicortical' extending all the way into the hard cortical bone on the far side of the vertebrae. I've seen many pedical screws sticking out a small amount... but an inch?

I can't imagine the surgery being performed without flouroscopy... do you have an op report?

Mark