Question: Will I Be Able to Feel the Hardware in My Back after My Spinal Fusion?
Answer: There is some chance that you will feel your instrumentation after surgery, but it probably won’t cause you pain.
screw removed after a spinal fusion – shared with permission
It isn’t common to feel the hardware in your back, but it does happen, especially early on while your body is healing. You also may be more likely to notice it in cold weather:
Patients who have had surgeries such as joint replacements, fusions or plates or screws implanted might also notice more cold-weather pain. “Occasionally there is some aching around the scar, which can become worse in cold weather, although this is more common with patients who have a metal implant,” according to sports medicine specialist Dr. John Hoffman of Orthopaedic Specialists.
The discomfort might be especially noticeable first thing in the morning or after you’ve been sitting for long periods of time. Keeping the troublesome area warm with heat pads or hot water bottles can help. source
From what I understand, people who are very slender are the most likely to feel their hardware. I was nervous about this because I’m very petite, but (knock on wood) I’ve never felt anything back there, either through my skin or internally.
Also, just because you can feel the metal in your back doesn’t mean that it will be painful. Most people who can feel (or hear) their metal seem to find it annoying or uncomfortable – not painful. And in cases where the instrumentation does cause pain, it is possible to have spinal hardware removal surgery.
hardware removed after a spinal fusion – shared with permission
Personal Stories
This question was originally posted by Claire, who wrote:
I am 13 weeks post-op spinal fusion L4-L5. I am still very conscious of the incision site and the feeling of the muscles and hardware in my back. I also get extremely achy in this area. I was just wondering if anyone was experiencing this? Also are people aware of the hardware or is this something you don’t feel in time? – Claire
I shared my personal experience, and so did Jamie:
I do not have site pain from the hardware. However, I do have an occasional crunching and crackling feeling around the surgery site (hardware). I asked the doctor about this and I was told that it is scar tissue healing around the hardware and that it would subside in time. I would ask the doctor about the pressure you are feeling. I would guess it is part of the healing process. – Jamie
Does anyone else want to chime in with an answer for Claire? Please feel free to do so in the comments below!
And if you want to see something really cool, check out what Pip (@the_pepper_mint on Instagram) did with her hardware after she had it removed:
Talk about a conversation piece, right? Be sure to check Pip out on Instagram – she’s a true inspiration.
Tana BAKER says
I am almost 5 months now and have been doing and feeling great. No pain and I can walk,do PT and be active without bending twisting or lifting. But, this week I have had to watch my to grand children, 2 and 9mos. I have done my best to not pick them up much. But anyone that is around children that age can tell you the activity level is incredible. I am exhausted and my back is hurting again. It feels like maybe it’s the muscle along the side of my spine. i sure hope so. If I have damaged the fusion I will be devastated. Does anyone have experience with how it feels when you just over do it?
James says
I had an L4/L5 fusion in August 2010. In the past 10 years, there have been at least 6 instances where I thought I had herniated the disc above/below the fusion or damaged the fusion itself. I had back pain, stiff muscles and numbness going down my leg. I paid for 5 private MRI’s over the years as I was positive I had damaged something. The most recent time was April 2019 (which is how I found this website) as I was in a panic and looking for guidance. I had an MRI done in May 2019 and, my surgeon said my back looked the exact same as the other 4 MRI’s I had done and also the same as the post op MRI done in October 2010.
I think it’s normal to have these types of flare ups and I suspect it will settle down over a few months.
Tana says
Thank you. That is very reassuring. I will get in for my 6 month check maybe a little soon, but I feel better after hearing your story. I do feel like its probably strained muscles. I really appreciate your reply.
Tana BAKER says
It’s been about a month since I experienced these symptoms, set backs if you will, now I finally am back to where I was. It was all a reminder to not push myself too fast. So many muscles are cut, stretched or traumatized in one way or another. I have to give myself time to heal. I am back to walking at a fast pace for up to 3 miles, twice a day. Things are looking up. I hope others are healing well also. It really does help to have a place to compare notes and ask questions. Feel free to contact me. I have now gone through this surgery twice. I still have questions myself, but would love to compare notes.
Tana
tana_dave@hotmail.com
Wendy neill says
I just had a two partial spinal fusion on January 9th and it’s February 15th I always feel cold and feel the screws and hardware in my back is this normal?
Kathryn Mathison says
I am 20 months post op. I have two titanium 10″ rods in my spine, 3 titanium discs and two cadaver discs. I don’t have the pain I used to have before surgery but I feel the stiffness in my center of my spine like a big chunk of metal. On colder days it is more stiff and uncomfortable. I feel it continually during any movement I do, especially walking. The only time it isn’t very noticeable is when I’m lying down. I don’t know if I’m feeling the infusion incision scars in my muscle but it’s just not a “normal” feeling. Most days I am glad to have had it done. I faced a life of possible paralysis or being wheel chair bound as my spine had been severely deteriorated from degenerative disc disease. My back is quite stiff. Up until about 4 months ago I was unable to tie my shoe laces, put socks on or cut my own toenails but on limber (and warmer) days now I am able to.
I just call my life my ” new normal” but I wouldn’t miss not having that hardware on a lot of days. Quite honestly, I don’t have the perfect answer for it.
I had a very good spine specialist who told me he literally performed five surgeries in one to make my life more bearable. He said he tried to take care of any unforeseeable thing that could possibly come up. Altogether in one week I underwent one 4 1/2 hr surgery under my front navel area and my left side incision as well to access my lower spine to insert screws and two days later (to give my body a break) I underwent an 11 1/2 hour back surgery to complete it. I was almost 66 years old when this was done. I’m now 67. I’ve lost 47 pounds on a very healthy eating plan counting 1400 calories per day with 5 days per week on my hybrid recumbent cycle. I give myself a free day of not counting calories to give me a little incentive to keep going. I don’t go hog wild in those days either!!! I am looking better and have so much more self confidence in a very long time so that’s a great trade off!
Each person has to make their own conclusions in regards to whether you have surgery or not. I don’t feel I had a real choice and my wonderful husband agreed with the decision we made together. He took such great care of me afterward also. Many days right after I was discharged from the hospital I basically had a lot of ups and downs. I was weak and my body had taken quite a huge hit. There were times I nearly wanted to give up but I prayed to the Lord Jesus to give me strength on a daily basis and I truly believe without Him I would have given up. Also I had the support of my grown children and grandchildren and many loving family members.
I can say I am very grateful and count myself as a survivor!
Tana says
I am 3 and a half months post L3 through L5 Spinal fusion. I don’t feel pain from the hardware, but at night I do experience a weird grinding noise. Kind of like a heavy metal zipper. I asked the dr about this, they had never heard of such a thing, It is pretty loud as my husband can hear it too. I feel only a vibration. Has anyone else felt/heard such a thing?
Eric Peck says
I am about 10 months out from spinal fusion L1-6. I’m still feeling pain time to time. The pain feels like the rod they put in is pushing against my skin. It is worse if I’m sitting up or bending down. It feels like uncomfortable pressure and is very bothersome.
Jenny says
I had lumbar L5-S1 spinal fusion with rods and screws on November 14, 2016. This is now October 24, 2019. I have very little discomfort on my right side and I can barely feel my hardware. However, my left side has never stopped hurting. In fact, that’s one of the first things that came out of my mouth once I woke up from surgery. “There is something wrong with the left side!” Oh course, I was told there was nothing wrong and my hardware was in place. However, to this day I feel extreme pain from the surgical site, into my left hip area and down into my pelvic area. But the surgeon keeps saying nothing is wrong??? Plus, the left side rod and screws literally stick out further than the right side and I can feel the hardware easily on the left and unfortunately with severe pain. I was told my SI Joint had been fractured during surgery but I cannot find anyone to fix it.
Kimberly Burns says
Hi I just got out of the hospital 2 days ago, from having my spinal fusion. I just wanted to make sure what I’m experiencing is normal or if I should be concerned. I’m having pressure/tightness around the incescion area internally. Is it because they use nerve blockers and it’s wearing off?? Also having pain down my left leg like when I try to straighten it out (like stretching a rubber band and it’s stiff and doesn’t want to stretch) or move a certain way I don’t want to over react but don’t want to brush it off if it is something else.
Sharon Wilhelm says
Hi! Sounds like what you’re experiencing is totally normal (of course if you’re super concerned or get worse, don’t hesitate to call your doctor). But I had both things – the stiffness at my incision site, sort of like having a brick strapped to my back. And I had significant pain in one of my legs. Your nerves are “angry” from having been disturbed, and the pain should decrease once they start settling down.
Sharon Wilhelm says
Ugh…have you seen other surgeons for opinions? I rarely hear about people feeling their hardware, although it does happen…I’m so sorry. I had issues with my SI joint following surgery as well, but nothing close to a fracture. Something doesn’t seem right…what have other doctors told you?
james says
I’m 9 years post op lumbar fusion at L4/L5. It took a good year for me to heal up at the incision area. Even today, if I push on the scars, I can feel some pain (most likely from scar tissue).
For the most part, I feel pretty good but I have been getting some burning in my left glute when sitting down that seems to travel down my left leg. Physio thinks it’s tight muscles but I’ll book an appointment with my surgeon to be safe.
Glad to see most of you are doing better
james
Sharon Wilhelm says
Hi James! Stories like yours are so encouraging to me. Whenever I hear from someone like you, it’s a good reminder that recovery takes years, not months. I’m 3 years post-op this week, and I still feel like I’m getting stronger with time. Hope the twinge turns out to be nothing!
Kirstin says
Hi there I am 10 weeks post op, I was in a car accident and broke my L1 so I am fused from T12-L2 I also have a herniated disc L5-S1, the past 2-3 weeks I’ve been having stinging in the area of the surgery, it wasn’t bad at first was only once in a while now it’s everyday, and I am very petite I have actually lost 15 pounds since surgery I’m am underweight, I definitely feel pressure like the metal is pulling on things, I haven’t been able to walk much I walk about 1 km a day for the past 3 weeks this is when the pain started sometimes the stinging goes up my spine, anyone else have this pain ?
Dai says
Almost 16 weeks (4mo) post 1 Level ALIF (L4/5). I definitely feel my instrumentation, both internally and externally.
Externally, the bumps I feel through my skin are the pedicle screws, and I can even feel the rods if I feel around in that area. That said, I do feel it a lot less externally than the first few months.
Internally, I definitely feel this more than before. When I sit back in my car seat, I feel the “ends”? of the rods poking, or creating a resistance against my joints above. I’m assuming that this is because I’m not fused yet, and there is force being created at the site.
The sciatica pain I had before my operation is mostly gone. I do feel a slight numbing pain down my leg from time to time, but nothing like before. I do still have stiffness and soreness in my lower back. It feels like L5/S1 area.
Cheryl Smith says
Ty for sharing I too feel like I can feel the parts when I move back in a sitting position or when I lay down at night on my back it’s not so much pain I do feel a little achy I’m only two weeks out postop but it’s just the feeling of feeling something there it’s unnerving it’s the only way I can put it just feels weird I can’t seem to find that comfortable position that sweet spot I Call it at least I know I’m not losing my mind and it’s nothing to really get alarmed about as everyone has said this is the journey I guess in your mind you think oh boy a lot of people say three weeks four weeks they’re doing all kind of things all is well everyone heals differently I guess the important thing is you take your time baby steps it’s a journey anyone else have anything to share on this I sure would appreciate it as I said it’s a freaky feeling
Tanya says
I’m 6 months from posterior and anterior lumbar spinal spinal L5-S1. I still have that heaviness/ache in my back. Does it get better?
Sharon Wilhelm says
Hi Tanya. At first my lower back was super stiff – like I’ve described, feeling like I had a brick in my back. That initial stiffness went away after a few weeks. Since then I’ve had a bit of remaining stiffness/heaviness, but for me it’s mostly discomfort, not pain. Does yours feel painful?
Ashley says
I am 9 months post L5-S1 fusion, and am very petite. I am still having quite a bit of aggravation, though the bones are healing very nicely. My doctor thinks that some people, especially those of us that are smaller, have more aggravation in the surrounding muscles/etc. than others from the hardware. He encouraged me to give it a full year to adjust, but at that point will consider removing the hardware. It seems that the hardware is unnecessary once the bones have fully fused, and can be removed with a more simple surgery. While I certainly don’t want to have another surgery, I am glad to know that may be my “light at the end of the tunnel”, as I am quite frustrated with where I am at in my pain relief.
leslie says
Ashley, my symptoms are similar to yours. What did you end up doing. I am 4 weeks post op L5/S1 posterior fusion. Surgery relieved my left leg pain but now i have right sided leg and foot pain. I think its the hardware.
Silvia says
Hi Claire , I had 2 fused levels L4-S1 , everyday is a challange , my physical strength is improving so I can walk now more diatances and for longer time eventtough I walk with disconfort . I think the mental strength is improving slower than physical hugs for everybody living in this same path
Alex says
Silvia….how did you do….say 2 months post-op? I may be having the same surgery and levels you did. I know you are at 5 months now.
Thanks,
Alex
Claire Mcgowan says
Hi Thanks for your responses.Silvia that is exactly the feeling I have, I wouldnt call it pain like you said it is an uncomfortable sensation, heaviness in particular wen I am standing and moving.I hoping it will get better as it can be very uncomfortable
Can I just ask how many levels you had fused?
Thanks
Claire
Madeleine Jewell says
I am nearly 3 months post 4 level lumbar spinal fusion. I am very small and skinny and I have never felt the screws etc that are now in back. I am so pleased that the sciatic pain has now disappeared on my left side. I do now have another problem which is pain in my hips. After being in bed all night I have a lot of pain in my right hip when I take my first steps of the day. Usually I can walk off the discomfort but then my hips ache all day especially at the back of them. Also my groin feels like it has been pulled all the time. If I could get rid of this pain I would be on top of the world. x
John says
Madeleine,
I was wonder now that 2 more months have past if your pain has subsided at all. I am mentally preparing myself for a 4 level fusion.
thanks
Silvia says
Hi my experience at 5 month PO is that Im still feeling my hardware usually when I stand up or change my position I can feel it its more like a heavy sensation or stifness but usually not pain anymore, sometimes it hurts specially in cold or a rainy day but Im hoping that time will help to reduce my unconfortable sensations or maybe I will be adapting myself to live with this forever , the good thing is its geeting better