Question 1

is there any surgery that can shorten your torso?
something like spine removal surgery? or is there something else? (without risk/benefit assessment)

Accepted Answer

No: There will never be a surgery to shorten a normal torso, but we know the rule is, "Never say never."  It's unlikely that there will be a procedure to make a normal person's torso shorer, but for older people with damaged intervertebral discs or with collapsing vertebrae, we actually hope for better and better technology to fix those problems and prevent those patient's heights from decreasing.

Question 2

after laminectomy for removal of spinal tumor at l3-4, will the spine still have the same strength for weight bearing and exercise as before surgery?

Accepted Answer

Should be fine: Of course with a laminectomy they're removing a portion of the vertebrae. However there still stability and since no fusion was required you should be fine.

Question 3

is tattoo removal safe on back of neck? 2 inch black home tattoo from 11 years ago. concerned due to location (brain, spine, lymphomas, etc)

Accepted Answer

Not specifically: The removal process is superficial and does not pose danger to you brain or spinal cord.

Question 4

can sinus infection as the result of bad wisdom tooth removal job/ fracture cause spine infection? is there barrier between spinal fluid and sinus?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: General body infections usually cannot invade the cerebral spinal fluid. The sinus is not "connected" in a way to the csf.

Question 5

why go from the front to remove hardware from spine?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It truly depends on the location on the spine. The thoracic spine is surrounded by the rib cage, so it is much easier to enter through the chest (front) rather than the back.

Question 6

what is the best way to increase bmd, so i can do another surgery to hold my spine w/ hardware? i have osteomalacia & osteoperosis, but normal calcium

Accepted Answer

YOU SHOULD BE: Discussing that with the doc doing your surgery as that doc may have someone he or she uses to help increase you bmd, in my practice I have pts on many different meds , a good one is prolia- twice yearly subq, or i refer pts for Reclast (zoledronic acid) a once yearly IV infusion, but u need to discuss with your docs as they may ahve one they prefer.

Question 7

what is the cause of knee pain after spine surgery that went wrong &had to have to take hardware out for pressuring the nerve on l3l4. i'm only 39?

Accepted Answer

Referred pain: Knee pain after spinal surgery is due to irritated low back nerves.

Question 8

have lengthily spinal fusion, now told osteoporosis, some hardware moving. spine surgeon wants me on forteo, am concerned, next fusion to base  c/spin?

Accepted Answer

I understand: i understand your concern. Forteo is a good drugs but not without possible serious side effects. Would your doctor consider a biphosphonate?

Question 9

hello, i have hardware on my spine, the screws are coming out. now i'am in unbearable pain. i got the chills, my legs are tingling sore kind of. ?

Accepted Answer

See your surgeon: The symptoms you describe indicate that you should see the surgeon that did your spine surgery as soon as possible.  If the screws erode through the skin they will become infected if they are'nt already.  The tingling in your legs might indicate nerve inflammation from the displaced screws or plate.

Question 10

does doxycycline treat staph infection on hardware in spine?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotic: Doxycycline is an antibiotic.  It can help to treat infections with certain types of bacteria such as staphylococcus.  Ensure that you have consulted with your surgeon and the infectious disease specialist.  Infections surround spinal hardware are quite serious and may require more aggressive antibiotic treatment (such as intravenous administration).

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Doctor answers about:

Spine hardware removal

A member asked:

Is there any surgery that can shorten your torso? something like spine removal surgery? or is there something else? (without risk/benefit assessment)

A member asked:

After laminectomy for removal of spinal tumor at l3-4, will the spine still have the same strength for weight bearing and exercise as before surgery?

A member asked:

Is tattoo removal safe on back of neck? 2 inch black home tattoo from 11 years ago. concerned due to location (brain, spine, lymphomas, etc)

A member asked:

Can sinus infection as the result of bad wisdom tooth removal job/ fracture cause spine infection? is there barrier between spinal fluid and sinus?

A member asked:

Why go from the front to remove hardware from spine?

A member asked:

What is the best way to increase bmd, so i can do another surgery to hold my spine w/ hardware? i have osteomalacia & osteoperosis, but normal calcium

A member asked:

What is the cause of knee pain after spine surgery that went wrong &had to have to take hardware out for pressuring the nerve on l3l4. i'm only 39?

A member asked:

Have lengthily spinal fusion, now told osteoporosis, some hardware moving. spine surgeon wants me on forteo, am concerned, next fusion to base c/spin?

A member asked:

Hello, i have hardware on my spine, the screws are coming out. now i'am in unbearable pain. i got the chills, my legs are tingling sore kind of. ?

A member asked:

Does doxycycline treat staph infection on hardware in spine?

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