I am going to have spine fusion surgery. The surgeon is going to put metal screws and rods in my back. Will they stay there forever?

Usually the metal pieces used in spine fusion surgery are left in place. They are not needed after the fusion has healed. But it is generally not worth going through another surgery to get them out.

Occasionally the screws or rods break, cause you pain, or can be seen or felt under your skin. In these cases, they may need to be removed. Broken rods or screws may mean that the fusion didn’t heal well.