Dr Steve? Questions about rods in my head

[krashleen]

Hi there...thanks again for all your responses to both public and private questions..

When I had my posterior fossa decompression with extraction fusion(20 lbs) fused from the skull to c4, the rods on either side of center of my head cause me pain, the rods go to about 1 1/2 inches of the crown area of my head...what are the rods comprised of? What is the material?
Why do they continue to cause pain? Should I be contacting my NY NSG in regards to the continuing pain? Do all people with metal in their heads suffer through pain and for how long usually?

I have a picture of the xray that shows the rods and I can feel them and I warn hairstylists about the rods in my head, but they do cause pain and occasionally they are tender.

What is the duration of pain I guess is my question and is this normal?

I also wonder if there are others here with any kind of metal in their heads? Does it cause pain for you and if it did for how long following the accident/injury?
Thanks!

[lobelsteve]

I have not seen patients with occipital rods. Regular lateral films would show if they are in the intended position. THey are usually stainless or titanium.

[jabkat]

i have titanium in the side of my head from my anurism operation. i have 4 nuts and bolts in there and i dont have any pain at all with that.i dont even remember having surgery.all i have is short term memory now.
jabkat

[krashleen]

During my first check back they (the nsg's) told me that they were in fact 'okay' so I just wonder about the pain issues that sometimes I have.

J-Interesting about the short term memory loss...was this because of the aneurysm or the rods themselves? Do you know?

Thanks Dr Steve...