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.
Kirstin says
May 5, 2019 at 11:26 pmHi 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
April 23, 2019 at 11:29 amAlmost 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.
Tanya says
November 14, 2018 at 9:56 pmI’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
November 20, 2018 at 10:52 amHi 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
September 8, 2018 at 5:57 pmI 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.
Silvia says
March 1, 2018 at 8:53 amHi 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
March 13, 2018 at 3:02 pmSilvia….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
February 28, 2018 at 2:03 amHi 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
February 26, 2018 at 4:50 amI 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
August 16, 2018 at 3:51 pmMadeleine,
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
February 25, 2018 at 11:12 pmHi 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