Medical hardware removal...?

I had 14 screws and a plate in my ankle. I had them removed 1 year after they were put in (the initial injury). Removal seemed pretty routine with my surgeon, especially in patients under 30 years of age. I'm VERY glad I had them removed. Despite being told the hardware shouldn't make a difference, I noticed a big difference in comfort and joint mobility after it was all removed. My surgeon opened up the initial scar on both sides of my leg. Granted, he had sewn up the incisions internally the first time, so the scars after the initial surgery were very tidy, just over a hairline in width.

I missed 3 days of work following the hardware removal surgery. Recovery wasn't bad at all. Sure, it took time for the incisions to heal (about 5 inches each side). I did have to be careful for 6 weeks, as I essentially had a broken leg given 14 screw holes.

Now, your injury and hardware is much different than mine, but I wanted to share my experience!

FWIW, this is third hand, but a good friend of my father's who's been so helpful with all his surgeries, says that an anaesthesiologist friend of his says that on average, it takes a year for the brain to recover from each hour you're under anaesthesia.

Not necessarily something I'd undertake lightly. I think Smilingcat has it right. But if the hardware is causing you irritation or pain, then that's definitely a reason to have it out.

I hate anesthesia. Really I do. It took months after a minor surgery a few years ago to be able to even run normally again.

But I am in agony today, something twinged last night on the side with the nerve pain when I was changing into pjs. I can't figure out what hurts or why it still hurts but I am so happy that my pilates class was cancelled. I haven't taken pain pills since 10 days after the accident and right now I want one.

I just wonder, what happens if I twinge that nerve 30 years from now, and the consequences are much worse? It's going to be a lot more difficult to remove this stuff then.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kiwi Stoker

I was told to only have the plates and screws in my arm removed because of the following-

Something has moved and is causing real issues with pain and/or movement

Your religion/beliefs doesn't allow you have to foreign objects in your body when you die

The doctor said the risks of infection and of course then having a weak bone while the holes heal over is just no worth it. The airport security people told me that only really large metal implants like hip or knee replacements cause the alarm to go off.

So my metalware is here to stay. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

---

+1

Unless your surgeon can confidently say that removal of the hardware will decrease your pain or improve your function, I wouldn't risk it.

Hi Jess

As you remember, I broke my back just before you but I was fortunate enough to have one consultant say no to surgery and thankfully he made the right decision.

I am so sorry you are getting so much pain with it all, wish I could offer advice, my only comment is talk it all through thoroughly with your consultant/surgeon.

Take good care and I wish you well with whatever you go ahead with.