Rods can break because of wear and tear on it. Yes, they are usually removed because the broken rod risks damaging the surrounding tissues and blood vessels.
Only the Orthopedic Doc will be able to say for sure whether or not there was enough healing to go without replacing it. It really depends on the initial fracture. Even when bone heals, it's not as strong at the repair sites as the surrounding bone. So, if there were multiple fracture sites, they might not want to risk not replacing the rod.
What ever you decide to do there is no reason to live in pain. Insist on good pain management, including seeing a pain specialist. I'm not sure where you are in Georgia, but the group at North Fulton Hospital has been an enormous help to me.
__________________  Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny. |