

If imaging tests did not reveal any hardware damage, only a tissue disturbance, you may be able to get by with physical therapy, controlled exercise and an extended period of rest. Once they’ve established what’s going on in your spine, the spine surgeon will walk you through your options. Treating Damaged Or Shifted Spinal Hardware Once they have a diagnosis, they can begin developing a treatment plan. This will allow them to visualize the hardware and the nearby structures to determine the extent of the damage. Then, they’ll likely order imaging tests in the form of an X-ray or MRI. During this first appointment, they’ll ask about your symptoms, conduct a physical exam and have you perform some movements if you are able. The first thing they’ll do is request that you set up an initial appointment so that they can get to the bottom of your issue. If you no longer reside in the area, you’ll want to connect with an experienced spine surgeon near you. So what happens if your hardware breaks or you suddenly develop pain or discomfort because it has shifted out of place? If you know or suspect that something has gone wrong with your spinal hardware, you’ll want to contact the surgeon that performed your initial operation. But when hardware breaks, it can’t mend itself like a bone. Even if they do exactly what they are supposed to do to account for normal physical activity, if you fall off a ladder or are involved in a car accident, these structures can break just like your bones can. Spinal hardware is much more durable and technologically advanced compared to models from even just a few years ago, but again, this doesn’t mean they are immune from production flaws or that they still can’t be improved upon.

In today’s blog, we take a closer look at what to expect if your spinal hardware breaks or shifts. Sometimes your spinal hardware can shift out of place, the site can heal incorrectly or the hardware can become damaged and break. Rods, screws and plates are all common forms or hardware that are inserted, and while they are quite durable, they aren’t a perfect solution. Spinal hardware is used in a number of different procedures to help increase stability or facilitate healing after an injury.
