What is the name of your state? Connecticut
I wrote you two days ago regarding broken screws in my neck for the second time, but understand my decription was too long to read. I'll try to keep this short.
August 2000, a practical joking coworker caused me to hyperextend, herniating multiple levels in my neck C4-7, and lumbar spine L4,5. Both cases were accepted by CT. workers comp. 01/2001, case settled in May 2005.
2002, had Anterior Cervical spine fusion at levels C5,6,7 with my bone graft, four screws and plate, level C4/5 was left as was, not severe.
2002 to 2004, I compained repeatedly something binding. Was told it was in my head, was sent to psychiatrist. Accepting doctor's report, I continued pain management, had two separate lumbar surgeries.
06/2004, xrays showed three fractured Pedicle Screws at C5 and C7.
Was told surgeons would remove old plate/screws, clean out screw debries, then would perform Posterior fusion.
After Surgery, found out they then fused C4/5 using Anterior approach w/4 screws and plate, but this time w/ cadaver graft while they removed plate and debries at C5-7, three screw studs were left embedded in vertebrate, a small piece of screw was also left in soft tissue of neck.
01/2007, noticed many symptoms reoccuring in neck with heavy numbness into left fingers.
02/2007, xrays showed new broken screw at C5 level, Neurosurgeon ordered no further tests, refered me back to pain management physician to adjust meds, I suspect because I settled with Comp and have a Medicare set aside account and no other medical coverage.
03/2007, symptoms worstening, now develping severe headaches and scraping behind esophagus. Neurosurgeon's office refused to make me appointment.
Late 03/2007, visited new Ortho-surgeon, new xrays and MRI detected two more broken screws at C4/5 with severe Pseudoarthrosis at all levels with impingment on spinal cord.
Facing emergency surgery again, I'm faced with the same Posterior approach they were to do in 2004 but now with more severity.
I was told in 2006 I had a possible malpractice case, but time stypulation ran out as well as many local attorney's refusal to accept case due to conflict of interest with doctors involved.
MY arguement and contention is with the 1) manufacturers of the titanium Pedical screws failing and their history for failure and product liability.
2) The physicians fused C4/5 without my knowledge prior to surgery.
3) I was improperly informed and educated.
4) the possibility of misdiagnosis, as each and every report seems to have a new diagnosis of spinal condition.
Facing more pedicle screws to be installed, and with a much more morbid approach, I fear for continued and more severe future complications and even survival. Is there any recent case history on pedicle screw fixation failure?
I hope this is in better format to read.
I wrote you two days ago regarding broken screws in my neck for the second time, but understand my decription was too long to read. I'll try to keep this short.
August 2000, a practical joking coworker caused me to hyperextend, herniating multiple levels in my neck C4-7, and lumbar spine L4,5. Both cases were accepted by CT. workers comp. 01/2001, case settled in May 2005.
2002, had Anterior Cervical spine fusion at levels C5,6,7 with my bone graft, four screws and plate, level C4/5 was left as was, not severe.
2002 to 2004, I compained repeatedly something binding. Was told it was in my head, was sent to psychiatrist. Accepting doctor's report, I continued pain management, had two separate lumbar surgeries.
06/2004, xrays showed three fractured Pedicle Screws at C5 and C7.
Was told surgeons would remove old plate/screws, clean out screw debries, then would perform Posterior fusion.
After Surgery, found out they then fused C4/5 using Anterior approach w/4 screws and plate, but this time w/ cadaver graft while they removed plate and debries at C5-7, three screw studs were left embedded in vertebrate, a small piece of screw was also left in soft tissue of neck.
01/2007, noticed many symptoms reoccuring in neck with heavy numbness into left fingers.
02/2007, xrays showed new broken screw at C5 level, Neurosurgeon ordered no further tests, refered me back to pain management physician to adjust meds, I suspect because I settled with Comp and have a Medicare set aside account and no other medical coverage.
03/2007, symptoms worstening, now develping severe headaches and scraping behind esophagus. Neurosurgeon's office refused to make me appointment.
Late 03/2007, visited new Ortho-surgeon, new xrays and MRI detected two more broken screws at C4/5 with severe Pseudoarthrosis at all levels with impingment on spinal cord.
Facing emergency surgery again, I'm faced with the same Posterior approach they were to do in 2004 but now with more severity.
I was told in 2006 I had a possible malpractice case, but time stypulation ran out as well as many local attorney's refusal to accept case due to conflict of interest with doctors involved.
MY arguement and contention is with the 1) manufacturers of the titanium Pedical screws failing and their history for failure and product liability.
2) The physicians fused C4/5 without my knowledge prior to surgery.
3) I was improperly informed and educated.
4) the possibility of misdiagnosis, as each and every report seems to have a new diagnosis of spinal condition.
Facing more pedicle screws to be installed, and with a much more morbid approach, I fear for continued and more severe future complications and even survival. Is there any recent case history on pedicle screw fixation failure?
I hope this is in better format to read.