Question
Thank you for your answer. The next day I found out that the Doctor will use45 length 6.25screw. I saw that it did have a long head. My wife is 130lbs. This looks pretty big. Are these tops ok if not cut off? It looks like they would do alot of rubbing?-
Followup To
Question -
I was told that my wife's spine was collapsing and she would have to be fused and hardware would be put in held with pedicle screws. My question is whne these screws are put in are the countersunk to be even withe the hardware? or are the tops left on? Woun't the tops irrate the mescles and possibly destroy them or are they cut or filed down?
Answer -
Dear Mr. Hendell,

Pedicle screws are inserted into the vertebrae from the back, and serve as anchorage points for a construct that stabilizes the spine, and enables bone to grow from one vertebra to another ?causing fusion.
The pedicle screw heads have to protrude some, so that the rest of the construct can be attached to it. There are many different pedicle screw sets, and some have a larger profile than others. Usually there is no problem since the muscles of the back cover the screw heads and the patient does not feel them at all. In very thin people, the screw heads might cause some pressure under the skin. In these cases, the Surgeon might choose a low profile set.

Sincerely,

Dr. N. Rahamimov


Answer

I think you don't have to be concerned about this issue, since the screw heads are usually not felt by the patient.

If you are still troubled, ask your surgeon directly. If he feels secure about this point - you can too.

Sincerely,

Dr. N. Rahamimov