I've just had all my hardware removed and feel so much better already. The wound from the op hurts of course but my mobility is so far much improved and it's only been a week since getting it all out. Very glad I listened to my gut and pushed for the removal, the surgeons were hesitant but I believed it was worth a go and now I'm very relieved I did. The pain from the hardware that was in my ankle was getting no better even after a years time in recovery. You know your own body, listen to it and your gut and if you know something is wrong don't take "I don't know"/"I'm not sure" as an answer from your doctors. Things can only get worse in time if you leave them untreated. Peace and love to anyone reading this, I wish you wellness and safety :).
Thanks for sharing your own personal experience, I found it useful. I too am currently struggling with mobility issues and ongoing pain in my ankle which I think is because of these screws and plates, even after going to physical therapy 2 days a week for over 6 weeks now. I wholeheartedly agree (with you) about listening to your gut and doing what you think is best, especially listening to your own body. My surgeon too is reluctant to remove them, but I'm going to keep pushing for removal after waiting a year. Although I'm fully aware of the consequences I'm willing to take the chance.
I had my metalware (7 screws & 1 plate) removed, 15 months after a Weber C fracture. Strangely for me, US/Canadian surgeons often even leave syndesmotic screws in place, even fully expecting these screws to break, once weight bearing is commenced. "It does take up operative time that could be used for other purposes"? Yep, I think that might be the main reason. This operation does not pay much and when I talked to an Australian surgeon, he was only willing to take the metalware out in conjunction with an arthroscopy, charging a couple of thousand of extra dollars for the entire procedure. The doctor also advised that he would not be willing to hand me the metalware after the operation. So I decided to head to Europe (Berlin), where I had all metalware removed for a couple of hundred Euros, versus in excess of A$3,000 in Australia. My surgery happened 6 days ago and I feel terrific. No more pressure in that area and totally worth the long journey. Always consider that surgeons are also business people.
Removal of hardware is a controversial topic. In general, hardware removal should be considered when the hardware is symptomatic. Broken hardware is actually often asymptomatic and can remain in place permanently with no negative effects in many cases. You are correct that syndesmosis screws often will break and are left in. I am sure the reason to not remove hardware varies but the main reason is likely a desire to avoid the risk of surgery if it is not absolutely necessary.
@@TalkingWithDocs Jeah i have a radiusfractur and got a metal plate with 4 screws in it and an ulna fracture with one screw very close to the wrist and i have problem number 2 and 3
I had an L1 burst fracture, with spinal fixation done over a year ago (from T11 to L3). It reduced my mobility, and the surgeon who did the fixation told me it was better to remove that hardware to put less strain (over many years) on the surrounding vertebrae. I just got the hardware removed and already I feel so much better!
Cuiv, The lazy Geek. I was wondering what kind of pain you were having before they took hardware out? I have T12-L1 fused 4 years ago and now it feels hardware is causing problems. Thanks for sharing your story!
@@Boudreaux911 For me it was mostly a constant kind of pain right under one of the fixation rods getting worse with exercise, along with very easily feeling fatigue and strain on the area around the hardware. Commuting on crowded Tokyo trains during the rush hour always had those symptoms come up, so it wasn't great for work. Lying down from time to time helped a lot though...
I have a t11-l3 fusion almost two years ago. I find the hardware to be pretty painful bu I've been extreamly nervous about another surgery and having it removed. Has anything gotten worse since having it taken out?
@@clintdarquea3719 It's much better since I got the hardware out. I basically feel like I'm back to normal, as I was prior to the accident! No pain or anything. I'm 38 though, so I'm still relatively young.
Thanks for this video! i recently got a plate in my foot and was confused about a lot of things that might come in the next 1-2yrs. This clarifies a lot of doubts and such a to-the-point video... THANKS!!!!!!!!!
Hi Docs, love your videos. I fractured my wrist 1 1/2 years ago and had a titanium plate and screws put in. Seven months later had hardware removed due to pain. Removal went well and dr found a neuroma, cauterized and buried it in screw hole and held with bone wax. Still had discomfort and pain but went for months of occupational therapy and felt well for 3 or 4 months. One day kept flexing wrist and now have had pain almost daily that doesn't resolve except while sleeping. Went for a second opinion was blown off. Dr took many x-rays and kept saying "not bad". Wrist healed straight. I requested another ultrasound trying to rule out nerve or tendon problem. Dr. said what he was able to see looked good. MRI after hardware removal showed some mild tendinosis. I am at wit's end about what to do. I keep telling myself I had felt well and can get back to that point. It really takes a toll on your mind when a dr says you might have this forever. It also hasn't been a year since removal. Any encouragement or suggestions would be much appreciated. Have you ever heard of success with acupuncture? Dr would not give cortisone shot. He said skin is too thin and discolored. Thank you in advance. I find it incredible that you take the time to answer all these questions.
Sorry to hear this Doreen. It can be complicated and often a specific cause of the pain cannot be identified. Acupuncture is worth a try. Cortisone same. Maybe topical medication. Physio. Best of luck to you. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thank you so much for your response. I'm telling myself that if I was able to feel good for 4 months post hardware removal, I can get to that point again. Believing that is more than half the battle. Thanks again!
Alex! You are too kind. Doing our best to keep the channel informative and somewhat entertaining. All the best. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
I had ORIF for a broken ankle 14 months ago. A metal plate and 6 screws were installed. Two screws went through the ankle bone. The ankle screws rubbed against any shoe I tried and every step was painful. I had all hardware removed 6 weeks ago. It’s no longer painful. The ankle is a little stiff, but I am hopeful it loosens with exercise. Even if it doesn’t, the pain is gone, and the 13 minutes in the OR was totally worth it.
Got out of surgery yesterday only had 2 screws put in my ankle. Anxious and scared was a understatement. Got nothing but massive appreciation to these doctors and nurses (first time ive had to have any op done)
I had a bimalleolar ORIF in December and it healed just fine. Then 6 months later my roommate’s cat bit my ankle right on the scar which led to a MRSA infection of my ankle and emergency surgery for hardware removal the day before my college graduation! I made it to graduation in a wheelchair with a huge cast and hooked up to a drainage bag LOL but it could’ve been a lot worse. I’m glad we caught it before it became septic. Moral of the story: always get things checked out and don’t wait until the last minute. Now I’m just waiting for my incision site to heal and to finish my course of antibiotics 😊 hopefully all my ankle drama is finished
Hi i had surgery 2 weeks ago for a broken wrist. I now have a plate. Your explanations for leaving the plate in are informative. However, i understand that plates have only been used since around 2000. Therefore, i am concerned of the long term effects of keeping the plate in. So any stats on the long term effects will not be older than 18 years. I am trying to make an informed decision about whether to have the plate out. My gut feeling is to eventually remove this useful, but alien, object! Thank you for your help.
Dude I'm not trolling you at all. These guys are Canadian Universal Healthcare Asshats. I had two metal plates and twelve screws on my left forearm implanted 13 years ago. They bothered me the whole duration of the time. I just recently got them out about two months ago and the difference is mindblowing. If a doctor tells you no, go to another doctor. Spend the money do whatever you have to do just GET THOSE OUT
@@halamanmahiwaga2063 Give it 6 months to be on the safe side. I had 2 plates on that bone and I'm back to normal. I'm so happy with the decision to get the plates out
Informative and interesting as always. Just 2 weeks post LAPIPLASTY surgery, I never thought about the possibility of having the plate or plates and screws removed and don’t think that was ever the plan. Hoping there will never be a need for that. Other than this annoying boot I have no complaints. Great videos that always answer questions of inquiring minds with reduced mobility.
I had my hardware removed about a month ago. The screws were sticking out up under the skin looking like little skin tent. After the removal I almost immediately felt pain in a certain area. But felt it was likely just healing. At 12 days I had my staples removed only to discover the incisions had not healed at all but were open. I’d fallen first step out of my car on arrival ho,e from surgery, slipping on some water that has spilled on the garage floor from a watering can I had no idea what’s there. Perhaps the incisions popped open then. It was painful but an x-ray showed no breaks. The nurse at my doctor’s office applied sterili strip and a breathable mepore bandage and sent on my way. Instructed to come back if there were complications etc. Five days later I sent pics of the incisions to my surgeon who wanted to see me pronto and within a few days I met with him. He was concerned, suggested surgery to clean it out or antibiotics. I chose the latter and am going to wound care three times a week. Three more pills and we’ll see. The course of antibiotics was for seven days. I am definitely concerned.
Thank you so much for this very informative video. Had fibula plate put in on Oct. 31st. It drove my mad crazy hopping around with my walker on one foot for six weeks. I'm at 50% weight-bearing and in therapy, I am so anxious about recovering during the winter months in MI. I'll be doing the best I can, just hope we don't get a lot of snow and ice. Thanks again.
Hi Silver Fox. You are very welcome. So sorry to hear that you broke your ankle and had to have surgery. Time to look forward to your recovery. Yes the snow can be tricky - we know it up here in Ontario. Best advice is to go slowly. Good luck and thanks for watching.
Hi 😊.. i also just had plates fixed on my fibular..was hoping if you'd be able to give an update on how you are doing now. Just so i can know what to expect. Thanks
I had bi-malleolar fracture - plate & screws in left ankle. One year later plate, screws were removed. The only stress was the nurses terrorizing me all night - overnight for observation. I'm more afraid of technicians getting the injured arm or leg wrong or from needing to pee with a fractured knee but no one to help me get to the toilet. The knee ORIF wire has come apart but it doesn't look like they will remove it. It bugs me - wire all over my otherwise smooth knee/patella. That's why I watched this video. Thanks Docs!
Hey thanks for taking the time to educate us! I had an open fracture on my tib/fib and a spiral fracture on my femur and I have 2 IM rods. I am experiencing large amount of pain above the kneecap whenever I extend my leg, it feels like the IM rod is pressing into the joint, it's only been 6 weeks since the operation, but I feel like my PT exercises are causing me more and more pain, and causing the knee to become more swollen. I am only 21 years old, if I am adamant to get all the hardware out, can I get the screws and rods out at the same time? Do I get the femur rod out first?
Hi spencrob. So you've had a lot of surgery. There are a few things that can be causing the pain above your patella. It is always important to see your specialist for an examination and if you have severe pain a new xray to make sure everything is where it needs to be. As far as removing hardware, if the femoral rod was put in retrograde (from the knee), you may be able to have them out through the same inicison. If not, you could still consider having both out at the same time. Usually you would have to wait at least a year and would want to ensure complete bony union. Open tib/fib fractures have a tendency to take longer to heal. Just don't start smoking as it will delay bone and wound healing. Good luck!
Ahh that makes sense doc, I must have 3 screws at the top of my femur rather than the usual 2. I gather they would have used the incision above the knee for both the femur and tibia rod. I have taken your advice from another video and today I bought myself some vitamin D to ensure I am sufficiently nutriated. In regards to smoking I stopped cold turkey after my accident, I hope I get union, because I would be suicidal if they have to replace this nail due to non-union. This surgery is pretty cruel and if I had the option of an external fixation device I would have leapt at the opportunity. Thanks for your help docs!
I had a tibia plateau fracture with a grade 3 LCL rupture in 2019 that needed reconstruction. A plate and 8 screws later I had the hardware removed after 2 years due to significant pain/limitation of ROM and swelling. Absolutely life-changing. I had to go to another surgeon to get it removed because the original ortho refused to remove it. If you're suffering with issues long after the bone has healed, speak up. You WILL find a surgeon willing to help you out.
Hi caroline. We totally agree. If pain persists, it certainly can be related to the hardware. Thanks so much for sharing your story. Glad to hear you are doing well. Take care. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing if you did.
I have a tibia plateau fracture as well. I slipped and fell on the wet grass in 2017. The past year my knee has had so much pain. It’s sometimes unbearable to walk. I’ve had one cortisone shot in 2020 and another shot( can’t remember the name) back in April 2022. Neither shots have worked. I’m also dealing with plantar fasciitis. I’m not sure if it’s related to the screws or not. I’m desperate for some relief.
I had tibia fracture and 7 screws and plate the bone is healed but my leg feels like ice specially in cold weather the doctor is trying to frustrate my not take the plate out but my brain tells me that it's the plate and screws causing this. Can you advise me
Hi docs! Christmas of 2016 I was snowboarding and had an unexpected fall resulted in shattering my left elbow (distal humerus fx etc), had ORIF with plates and screws. I think it was a pretty severe injury, I suffered lots of joint stiffness and pain. My bones are healed per my ortho team. Nov of 2017 my ortho doc noticed a small bone grow in the joint in the way of flexion, but said it's my choice if I want to have surgery to take out the bone growth (since he's in there already, he'd take out the implants too). I wanted to try my best with conservative measures of recovery and wanted to rule out the pain is not just a healing process but actually from the implants, so I waited. Now (Aug 2018) I'm still having pain, unable to bear much weight, some joint stiffness; though range of motion is improved, it's not 100%, and I'm just modified in my daily functional stuff. Should I go forth with the surgery given this status? My recovery from 1st surgery for trauma was pretty brutal, would this round of surgery be theoretically better & quicker? I'm a 34 year old female, active lifestyle (pretty bummed due to this injury). I have a hard time finding studies about outcome of hardware removal for specifically my type of injury in the US. I would love to hear your opinion!
Hi Winnie. So a fracture of the distal humerus is a difficult fracture that often results in pain and reduced range of motion after surgery. The risk of hardware removal is that you have ongoing pain, ongoing stiffness or possibly a nerve injury. This is something that is always best discussed with your surgeon. You need to decide if the disability you have now is acceptable or not and if not, what are the chances that this surgery will reduce your disability. It is often a very difficult decision. Hopefully that helps a little.
Back in January of 2015 my son broke his upper right femur while at hockey practice. The orthopedic surgeon placed a rod in the bone and 4 metal screws (2 high and 2 low) in the bone to hold the rod in place. Three years later and my son tells me he is beginning to feel discomfort from where the screws are. We've consulted a orthopedist while he was being seen for a totally different injury this year (2017-18) and he said that it's up to him whether he wants to have surgery to remove the screws. My question(s) is, if he has surgery to remove the screws, will they also remove the rod in his femur or will that be left in? Will he also have to undergo post surgery physical therapy or just a few days of bed rest and recovery?
I had my screws removed from my knee, but my rod was left inside my femur. They said if it's not bothering you then to leave it. The screws in my knee however was pitching me from the inside over the years.
@@Danny-hv9ox i JUST had that screw by my knee removed 2 weeks ago. I left the rod in though (reinforced femur? Why not lol). That screw was pinching pretty bad. I also had plates and screws removed from my right fibula, left radius / ulna and right radius. Main reason was because my left arm was still hurting at the gym even after a year and a half from my accident. If any1 is thinking about removing hardware wants to know an update just reply and ill reply back at that given time. God bless!
@@Sebas_tian_ sir i have my plates and screws in my left forearm just had surgery 3 weeks ago. how long will ever go bck to normal. and how long did it stay to your bones the plates screws in your radius and ulna before you removed it.
@@Sebas_tian_ lots of injuries, wow. I just fell on Christmas morning and shattered my radius and broke my ulna. Also displaced wrist bones. No hand surgeons available due to the holidays so I had a hellish 16 day wait for surgery. I am allergic to most metals. So he found a polycarbonate plate but unfortunately titanium screws. PS there’s no such thing as 100% pure titanium despite what Drs say. There’s ALWAYS trace metals. Titanium is soft, nickel and cobalt are hard and cheap. Sometimes trace metals cone during manufacturing. In any case my pain and swelling and discoloration are worse than before surgery so I am hoping to get this shit removed asap! I was in great shape and very flexible before but not have already lost 90% of my arm muscles in just this month of inactivity. Since surgery I go to therapy but can not bend fingers or move my wrist. Pain is awful despite pain medication. I cannot imagine how long until I can lift weights or do arm balances (yoga). Really bummed.
@REVOLUTIONARY hey how are u and to everyone else.. so it's been 5 months or so since I had the metal removed. My arm feels GREAT. seems like the screw that was backing out was definitely causing the pain. My arm is now fully healed and I even got back into the gym. Been pushing and curling decent weight with no trace of the previous pain. I had to wait this long due to a Tendon being very inflamed as well from the removal process but I can tell u I'm extremely happy with the results from removing the hardware. Unfortunately my foot did receive permanent damage and will eventually need an ankle replacement but for now I'm not complaining. Happy I can still walk. Every case is different and for me it's been a very positive outcome from removing the hardware.
Hi doctors, I had laminectomy and L4,L5, & S1 fused back in 2016 and it was a successful surgery. Last July when I lifted a heavy item, I heard and felt unusual sounds like some screws being pulled in the fused bone. The first symptom was dull ache and within 30 minutes I started to get severe muscle spasms around the area. I couldn’t walk for about a month afterwards. Took a lot of medication and now all the muscle spasms subsided but now I have pain in the S1 bone where the screws are placed. The more I move around the more pain ache I feel in the bone. Especially if I bend forward I will have to be in bed for the next few days. The nerve pain is from the lower back, to buttocks and thighs down to the knee level. I took x-rays, CAT scan, and MRI. They don’t show any loose screws. But I feel the screws cause the pain. Yesterday I got steroid injections in the back but I didn’t see any difference. I’m hopeless and don’t know what to do. I’m going to see my surgeon next week but I’m not sure if he will be willing to solve this problem. I’m wondering if I could get my hardware removed at your clinic privately. Please let me know.
Hi Dev. Best advice is to see your treating surgeon. We are not spine surgeons and in Ontario there is no private surgery for this kind of thing. Best of luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing
But isnt the leg stronger than before?. Removing it only takes 15 mins some surgeons say. Mine with the metal work, fractured fib and tib 2 years repaired after surgery. Safe to do downhill skiing? Or teakwondo?
no not safe if you ski again and break it in the same place.The hardware will then cause serious problems and may result in ruptured arteries due to the sharp fractured hardware
Hello, I’m 42 years old. 23 years old broke my femur - wanted to remove hardware doc tried and couldn’t so only took the screw from up top of femur by greater trochanter. Then two years later was running again and screws were poking threw my knee - the doc goes in and shaves the screws heads off (I know- what a mess) - years pass and I never think this will be anything major but here I am now - 2 failed labral hip reconstructions (I am very very active - but not anymore - I really need to be more careful) - Fast forward to now - I need a total hip replacement - just had surgery almost 3 weeks ago to remove screws - surgeon couldn’t get the entire rod out - part of the drill but broke but they couldn’t risk taking out the tiny piece of metal that flew “too close to my femoral artery.” My surgeon didn’t think it was that big a deal bc he said the size is minute. Tomorrow makes 3 weeks since the surgery. I am still in horrid pain. November/December I go in for a total hip replacement and femoral osteotomy. He said he knows he’d be able to remove rod this way (rod is also pointing more lateral by the greater trochanter in femur proximally)…they said recovery time is about three months. When a doc says this I multiple it by 2 so I say about 6 months total recovery a year. I am in major pain from my knee. I cannot do a leg lift on my own. I am starting to work with Physical Therapy now. It is extremely hard. I have a 22 mm labral tear in the right hip and in my left one now, I have an 11 mm tear. This is an absolute nightmare mess. I wish I could deal with a 22 mm tear but it is so absolutely painful, nauseating and hurts so badly. I wouldn’t have touched anything if I truly didn’t have to. I am sharing my story bc I feel it’s so rare. If anyone else has a story like this, please share. I am in so much pain right now. I’m wondering if that’s even normal. I don’t want them to think I am a drug seeker. I am in really bad pain. My surgeon said he expected this. My surgeon bounces me to pain management and pain management bounces me back to my surgeon - they don’t want red flags but who is ultimately responsible for this bc I want to die right now. That’s how much pain I am still in. I don’t know what to do. How long does the knee take to heal. I am banking on the osteotomy breaking my femur all over again - am I wrong - I feel like breaking the femur was easier than this knee stuff. Need honest to god answers please - is an osteotomy, and then a total hip replacement very very painful. What is your guess for turnaround time and if anyone has had this please can you share your story with me?? I feel like this is such a rare story. I’m trying to find answers. Here is been taxing to say the least. Thank you to anyone who reads this and for your honest opinion. 🙏🏼
I feel like you need to get a second opinion on your issues. Good luck and hopefully you will have a positive outcome. Your experience sounds absolutely horrible!
Hello, once the hardware is removed from the ankle, when would it be a good time to start with Physiotheraphy? As the numerous screws removed leave behind a lot of holes in the bone. And also when would one switch from partial weight bearing to full weight bearing keeping in mind about the holes in the bone and not to risk cracking them? Thank you in advance.
Hi G A. It is impossible to give specific advice to your situation without examining you and your xrays however generally speaking physiotherapy would start once the wound is healed - often around 2 weeks. As for weight bearing it would depend on your exact procedure but often patients are able to nearly full weight bear very early on. Ultimately it is up to your treating surgeon who you should discuss this with.
Just got my plate and screws removed yesterday. Doesn’t hurt nearly as much as it did when going in. Lol broke two bones in my ankle on October 30th and had surgery the 4th of November. Fun stuff.
I have 9 screws and 1 plate on my left ankle. I've been really wanting the hardware out. It still hurts to our on a boot. Did that pain go away after the hardware comes out ?.
Thanks chaps and I found your advice very useful and pragmatic. I have an old tibia metal plate and 5-odd screws which have been in for over 40 years and have not intention of having them removed if I can help it - though a TKR may not be easy. Whilst I am sure the older 'Doc' won't like me saying so, the combination of you two Doctors as the younger, enthusiastic and questioning Doc and the older, dry humoured, sage Doc works well (!).
Thanks so much Johnny. Truth be told we are pretty close in age and trained together. Good luck to you and stay safe. Thanks for watching and for subscribing if you did.
I had my clavicle pinned plated and the ligaments reconstructed 7 years ago … for 7 years I have not been able to lie on my left side / have suffered pain; not only that region but going into my neck/shoulder, too. I have had MRI for cervical issues … there are none, so I can only assume it’s the metal work. I suffer from CRPS/RSD which is a risk as one of the Consultants I went to said I had this in the collarbone area. (However it is nowhere near like it is in my hand and ankle). Concerned on what to do. 3rd surgeon I have seen said he will remove the plate (as one of the pins is going into arthritic bone opposite) and take out the AC joint and scale down the bone that has osteoarthritis in it)
At 59, I broke my ankle in 2015. its been a year and I am trying to make a decision on removal. My GP said exactly what you did, why go through surgery if its not bothering me. Thank you for confirming.
Talking With Docs I had acl hamstring surgery three and half years ago and I feel pain in tibia and couldn't walk more than 1mile .could you tell me what causes would be possible. no swelling just pain and little bit stiffness
Talking With Docs ...Hi I had hardware put in at l4/s1. My surgeon has opted to remove it as my disc at l3 has a problem but mri's are a problem because my hardware is effecting the pictures. My hardware has been in for 28 years.
What if you break the bone again while the hardware is in. And also i was given a metal rod and my doctor said that eventually it will just disappear into the arm. I have had two rods in my radius and ulna for 7 months and im about to have surgery to take them out in a few weeks
Hi DriftSlayer101. So if you break with hardware in place, you will break above or below it. The hardware will not disappear. Good luck with your surgery. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing if you did.
Update: Great news! About seven months ago, I decided to have surgery to remove the screws and plate from my ankle to improve mobility and eliminate weather sensitivity. I'm so glad I did because now I no longer feel like I'm carrying this extra weight, and I can walk just as I did before, including fast when heading for a bus! One reason (but not the only one!) I decided to go through with this was reading the real-life comments on this site from people who had it done. I also knew two people who had the surgery and three who didn’t, mainly because their doctors didn't offer it as an option. By the way, I had an excellent surgeon (Northwestern) whom I trusted completely. Best of all he respected my wishes and didn't try to talk me out of it.
Like a few other comments here, I had plates and a few screws removed from my ankle one year after the original fracture. As an active 26 year old I couldn’t imagine living the rest of my life with foreign objects in my body. The risks with surgery were negligible in my mind. Only 3 weeks later and my mobility feels so much better. But everybody’s case is different
What kind of fracture did you have? I just had surgery from a trimal fracture two days ago, so I know I’m getting ahead of myself thinking about removal already. But I’m 28 and feel similarly too young to keep hardware in my ankle.
@ it was a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle with some aitfl (ligament) damage. So the joint was popped back into place and I had ORIF surgery. Still managing but feels good now. Good luck with your rehab
Hi Dinelie. Thanks for the question. It depends on the hardware you have in place and would best be discussed with your treating surgeon. Thanks for watching.
Hi dr i am from nepal Please please suggest me I had surgery 15 years before because of my humarus fractured so i had 2 screws and two wires in it. I am planning to removed it so I would like to know i am doing right or wrong please share your experience and thoughts thanks
Hi, I am a young adult and live in the UK, I am due to have this removal surgery soon, I am quite accustomed to the whole process as I have been though it before with my other wrist which was removed 2 years after initial surgery, my backstory with my condition/surgery was I have underwent major bilateral corrective osteotomy of both wrists which required me to have a prolonged hospitalization after....., for this removal surgery I have been apprehensive about the whole thing this time around cause of the hardware has been in for longer 8 years and I now have to contend with a health condition of factor 7 difficency hemophillia, this will be my first surgery with this condition so I dont know what to expect or what the experience will be like......, also both of those things could pose significant complications with the removal and of course after postop, going with my previous surgeries I have alway had to be admitted and prolongly hospitalized - days+ due to complications from the recovery room and stay on the ward as my experiences have always been a tough ride......, I think I am ready for it but am apprehensive due to now having the factor 7 condtion and the not knowing, but apparently my ortho consultant surgeon said there will be stuff in place and think they will be extra cautious......., another thing is that its ment to be a day case under general anesthesic with possibly a overnight stay, but going from my other experiences nothing is ever simple with me and I require to be admitted to a inpatient ward after....
Hey! I've been struggling with this question (whether ir not to remove my hardware ) because i had a scoliosis correction surgery 8 years ago, when i was 14. Since the last year my scar has been infecting on and off, to the point that, when it heals, it forms a depression on the skin. I wonder that, if i do proceed with the removal, how are holes the vertebrae supposed to heal ? Is there any bone density loss after the removal? Will i be able to continue weightlifting sports? Would love if someone could advise me and answer my doubts. Thank you!
Anything about Removal they don't want to talk to you about. How else do they make money if you're well and never depend on medications! I took mine out regardless and I feel great! You're the person in pain. Doctors won't know how it feel unless they are the patients period.
@@Dounjikootsvet your comment is so on point, I broke my ankle in 3 parts and I've got a lot of metal work that I want removing. It's so painful and as I'm quite slim it's very prominent and it's such a struggle to sleep or even go about my day. The problem is the Dr is only wanting to remove part of it and not all at once. I'm pushing for it all to be removed at once or if he doesn't agree to get refered to the hosiptal I got treated (which is not local to me as it happened in a diff city). It's so hard to persuade them But I'm going to keep fighting and not give up. At the end of the day like you said how will the Dr know the full effects, it's we as individuals who have to go through the agony and stress 😣.
LOL.. for rest of you.. To date I have a plate in my neck, my knee, my right arm, a rod full lenght of femur and one into my hip. I have had none removed. For the beating I have taken joints work damn good. So no worries about leaving them in.. side note.. there are good orthos and bad ones.. Shop around and dont be shy! Ask questions. Sometimes its just a doctor you dont get along with personality wise. But it means Tons when you love and trust your doctor. Ask Questions, and shop! if possible.
Hi bmnco. Thanks for sharing. We totally agree. Leave it in if you can. And try and find a doctor you like and trust - not every pair is meant to be. Thanks for watching.
Hi I broke my hips when I was 16 now I m 26 years old and my legs is so much hurt when it’s cold when I walk and get tired and making me hitch if I will remove plates am I gonna be alright ?
Yeah that happens with me too. I had an ankle surgery with a plate and screws. Whenever I ride a bike or it becomes so cold outside it starts to hurt. I don't know what to do!
@@wg_gamer8496 on 7th January this month I got them removed. Now my cuts are healing. I didn't took a step from 7th January. Now I'm trying to walk. But whenever I put whole weight it feels like my ankle is electrocuted. It's a scary sensation@@
I broke my tib and fib in 1999 , I had a plate put in 2000. Off course it hurts occasionally in wet or cold weather. Used to it now. But I doubt these are genuine medical consultants. A dr will never advice a plate removal
Hi Athuljith S. So they will probably not get loose. And yes you can go to the gym. Hope that helps. Good luck. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing if you did.
@@TalkingWithDocs I’m 15 I fell 40ft and I’ve broken my spinal cord, pelvis bone and back bone they put in screws, plates and rods in my back and I healed up in 1 month but to be exact 3 weeks with no physical therapy thanks for the tips :)
I had my second knee surgery last July and had hardware replaced and a plate and 11 screws put in. The screw near the bottom on my knee cap never bothered me as much after my first surgery as it does now. It’s a lot more sensitive, and I can feel the screw head under my skin. My plate also has been causing me lots of issues, and I’m trying to figure out if I should get everything removed or not. My surgeon isn’t very…people oriented it seems, so he never really goes into detail about anything and kind of brushes off the questions I ask about it.
Is it necessary to remove my screw? I had dynamic hip screw on March 3 2018 my bone healed but im afraid about removal of this due to long recovery and if it is necessary when to remove.
Hi Peter. The vast majority of hardware can remain in place. The main indication for removal would be local pain or if the screw was doing damage to the joint. Good idea to discuss this with your surgeon but they usually stay in. Thanks for watching.
I had a surgery to remove a humerus plate (with 6 screws) 1 month ago, and definitely it was the best decision I could made, i couldn´t workout or lift heavy things because I felt pain, without a doubt I recommend this kind of surgery, it´s impossible to have a normal life with hardware in your body (in my experience of course)
@Ek Pari Pagal Si definitely my operated arm is less strong than the other one, but I am working on it with exercises, I no longer have nerve pain as before
Hello sir I'm very nervous, I have plate in my skull because of blood clot and now when I touch my head I can feel the screw is it OK sir? Because I don't want do that all over again... Please reply doc
Hi Srishti. So prominent hardware is common. If it hurts, you can see your surgeon to discuss removal. Hope that answers your question. Sorry for the delayed response. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did.
I was hit by a car while on a scooter in Canada recently. Tibial plateau fracture, acetabulum fracture, and hip dislocation, and a small radial head fracture on my arm all left side of body. I am 3 weeks in, already noticing lower back pain and soreness around the area of incision/hip. Non weight bearing on left leg for 8 weeks total, so I can’t really tell how my walking will be yet with both feet. Already hopping 150 ft with a walker and doing much better because of ortho rehab inpatient. 2 week CTs showing osteoarthritis. I’m 25 with previous history of joint pain, arthritis, and sciatica. Hoping the pain subsides more eventually, but for 3 weeks I’ve made awesome progress!
Thanks a lot for a great video-post. I'm not sure if it's the right place to ask, but in case it is, I will really appreciate a pointer to article/study with regard to pros and con's of removal of one of screws following the intertrochanteric hip fracture. I found articles that studied 390 people, but I'm looking for a study with bigger number of parameters: factors like age, gender, presence of metabolic malfunctions like diabetics, number of fracture peaces (multiple peaces), number of screws in the head of femur, places that screw went out of the femur head, number of weeks that took to the screw to went out following the fixation surgery. In particular, I want to understand the influence of above factors in terms of a possible damage to the joint due to the outstanding part of the screw that 'scrubs' the joint (whether the damage is recoverable or unrecoverable). And also in terms of construction, meaning the influence of the screw removal on the construction strength (given an unhealed bone in a timeline of several weeks after the fixation surgery).
Hi David. All cases are different however if there is a screw in contact with a joint surface that cartilage will be destroyed at a rate that depends on the amount of contact and movement at that location. The damage is irreversible. If the screw is removed before the bone is healed, the bone may not heal depending on the rest of the construct. If the bone doesn't heal, all of the hardware will eventually break. For that reason, if you have to have screws removed before the bone is healed, the hardware is often replaced with new hardware in a different position. Hope that answers your question.
I had pelvic reconstruction almost 17yrs ago...I asked if the metal is taken out, they told me they do enough nerve damage going in the first time, they don't go back in, I pointed out that a screw protrudes out the bottom, they said "well, that shouldn't bother you unless you're riding a bike or something". I am not happy, in fact, it has been a real pain in the butt.
Hi Jason. Often the screw will not cause problems. And there is very real risk in removing the screw. If you can live with it we recommend to keep hardware in place. Good luck. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
I'm Fennie from Philippines and I'm currently suffering a tibial plateau fracture and I'm still waiting to be operated. It's been more than 2 weeks since the accident happened and when the time I rushed to the hospital they get my x-ray two times because the one who assisted me said he didn't see any fracture on my x-ray the thing that keep it hurting is because your muscle is swelling, just wait for the final result of your x-ray 5-7 days for now I can't see fracture. So he just give me medicine for swelling and pain reliever and released me and said I can go home. On the 7th day of waiting the final result of my x-ray, the ortho Doctor said that I have a tibial plateau. We're so devastated to hear that because we thought there's no problem and we found out that the doctor who declared I have no fracture was not a doctor, he's a nurse. And now I'm still waiting to be admitted because the hospitals here won't cater me because it's been more than two weeks and I'm out patient it's not emergency they said and they don't give me referral slip when infact it's not our fault why I'm stuck here with a broken bone for more than two weeks now😭😭😭😭 I'm worried about what will happen to me since it's been more than 2 weeks I got my broken knee. I'm concerned about the risk.
Hi Fennie. So often fractures will be fixed with some delay. Usually this is not a problem. Every fracture is different. It is frustrating for patients to wait though. We wish you the best of luck. Stay safe. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did.
Context: #5 metatarsal Spiral fracture on the shaft. Surgery was on May 12. A plate with 8 screws. On 08/07, at the 3rd post-op, the doctor said it healed so well that there were no indications a fracture occurred. Why wait a year or two to remove the hardware?
Very good and interesting to hear guys! As i am nearly one year in to having spinal metal fixation, I am not sure whether to have it taken out or not. My consultant said that 10% of his patients get it taken out due to problems / issues. And although i still feel pain in my back he did say give it up to 18 months and for any nerve pain to heal. After that length of time its pretty much permanent, or so i am told...
Meant to say, im 32 years old. Do you think there'd be a risk of spinal instability getting the plates out? Or should the bones have healed well enough after a year? Thanks, Harvey
I have three plates with screws in my right forearm. Ulnar and radius repair after a murder cycle accident. This hardware has been there since 2009. I have no issues. The surgeon told me on a follow up visit that he "doesnt take the plates out". So, I accept that.
Hello, Doctors! I am impressed that you comment every single comment! Could you, please, answer my question? I just had ORIF calcaneus last week, and the screws and a plate on the outer side. How does the skin fix itself over the plate? Is it hanging lose, so I can pinch and pull it off? Does it attach itself to the heelbone through the remaining holes in the plate? Does it get discolored? Thank you. 2) can the bone grow over the plate causing ugly bumps?
I had a Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy with a plastic plate and 2 screws inserted 11 years ago. Part of the where I had the surgery is STILL numb after all this time. For the last few years, every time i stand up from sitting it feels like the plate is bending. Complaining about it made me feel like a big baby so I dealt with it, but now the pain is increasing. This video definitely helped me to try and find out where the pain could be.
In 2001 I had a plate/screws put in the lower left arm near the wrist from a break during hockey. I seemed okay until I re-jammed the wrist playing lacrosse in 2007 and it created a small bulge in the arm that was not there before (possible plate bending?) I went to the orthopedic doctor to ask about taking the plate/screws out and he gave the common sense answer, "I would not want to try to take hardware out and cause more damage. You re-injured your already injured arm/wrist. Physical Therapy for life." The bulk of the pain in the arm went away and I moved on. Not long after, I noticed my whole arm would turn purple while lifting weights or even holding lighter objects at a certain angel. Next, my shoulder/neck slowly started to become tight/pained/stiff-- eventually my jaw felt tight on that same left side and smiling symmetrically was hard. Even feeling like my left eye was being tugged down on. I saw a slew of doctors for thoracic outlet syndrome-- dye tests on my heart and ultra sounds-- MRI of my head for possible injury to the brian ect. They did not find anything and all thought I was crazy (except when I showed my arm turning purple by lifting weights in their office.) Is there any chance that this plate is pinching nerves in my arm/wrist affecting other parts of my body? To this day, my arm still turns purple lifting even a light object at an angel. If I grasp the injured area I can more easily crack my neck back into place and jaw tightness lessens. Massage helps to. I am not crazy, just suffering from unexplained pain. It is now 2018. Would anyone even want to take this plate out? I feel like any doctor would give the same common sense response, "Your wrist doesn't hurt, that injury would have nothing to do with your neck, I wouldn't want to take it out b/c it may injure you more." Any thoughts or insights on this are appreciated and thank you so much in advance!
Hi Tony. It is always difficult to answer specifically without examining you or reviewing your imaging but you make very valid points. It is unlikely that the plate would cause pain in your neck. Sometimes pathology in your neck can cause arm pain. Taking out the plate does carry some risk but the main reason to take it out would be issues localized to your wrist. The changing of color can be related to blood supply/drainage and can be a consequence of having surgery in that area. Hopefully that helps. Good luck.
Hi! I appreciate that you are answering people, that’s very considerate. I have a lisfranc fracture screws and plates, it’s been 6 months which is when I was told the plates would be removed but not the screws. Thanks to Covid this surgery is not happening. You both have suggesting longer wait times can be beneficial, is this so in a lisfranc fracture. I’m still experiencing pain and numbness but am healing slowly all over my foot except where the metalware is. The pain in this section doesn’t change much. I have very little cushioning in this area and am for a lack of a better word- bony 😂 I rather hoped that metalware removal would help because this is what seems to be inhibiting my walking most. And I used to like walking. The broken Tib and fib on the other side certainly don’t help that though. I know it’s it’s a complex injury and everyone heals differently, if they heal so I realise it’s probably not black and white. But for particular injury are there pros/cons to getting the metalware out sooner rather than later? Thanks!
Hi Ryn. So yes everyone is different. A Lisfranc injury is a very serious one that can lead to permanent pain in some patients unrelated to the presence of hardware. There is little downside to waiting to have it out. Only time will tell if your pain will improve. If it did, you can leave it in. If there is a specific area that is sore, you can discuss this with your surgeon and try and correlate it to the hardware if something is particularly prominent. Sorry to hear about your injury and hopefully you are able to get back walking! Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did.
Talking With Docs thanks! The hardware is exactly where I’m having difficulties with pain and movement, 2 plates and 3 or 4 screws, I did a lot of damage and the plates are extremely prominent. But it’s good to know that it won’t get worse the longer they are even if it might not get better. And yes I’ve read enough to know some people never heal properly and some do and that it will probably be at least a year before I get an idea about that. Appreciate the info.
Two years ago I broke and shattered my left femur while hurrying down my carpeted stairs. also broke the left wrist. A steel rod and screws were used. Next week I will visit my orthopedic surgeon to see if the bone has healed enough to remove the rod and screws.. I work hard every day to heal the bone. The leg hurts after sleeping and several time during the day. I've used Doterra Deep Blue Rub every day since which helps. I am 80 years old otherwise in excellent health. Would you suggest removing the plate. It is my dream to have it done with some reservations. Thank you for you help.
Hi janie. Do you have a plate or a rod in your femur? Either way, it is important for you to discuss with your surgeon whether or not they think that your pain is coming from your hardware. Sometimes after surgery people have pain related to the initial injury and removing hardware may not alter this. You just don't want to be exposed to the risks of surgery if the chances of improving your pain are low. Hope that helps.
I just had the hardware (rod & 3 screws taken out supporting my femur 2 days ago after being in 32½ years by Dr. P. Murray who put it in all those years ago!! I only wish I brought crutches or a walker instead of a cane that I thought I only needed. Always like the videos you Drs upload! Thank you!
Hi I’m glad I came across this video, I have been having excruciating pain in the ankle with metal plates and screws , surgery was 4 years ago, I just had X-rays done it shows the bone has healed,The pain is on the outer side of the ankle , and shoots up pain where I can’t sit , bend or walk, as the pain on the lower leg is intense, I had an MRI to check for sciatica, doctor said there is some bone lose very minor and maybe the nerve is making contact with bone, but I am not sure it’s sciatica as the pain starts where the plate is, just wanted to know if you have ever heard of that type of pain from ankle plates. Thank you so much for anything you can say.
I had surgery 4 weeks back. Same I have plate with 5 screws . I m age 28 . Can I know what is your age now . U told that ur bone was total healed right. So u can remove your plate . What your doctor total on this?
Hi just to put some people at ease ! I had titanium plates to repair fractures to the left radius and ulna more than 38 years ago . Although I have lost some rotational movement maybe 20% and some muscle loss due I think to the length of time getting the bones to heal approx 2years of failed operations , eventually had a bone graft wich was successful.as time as gone by I have never contamplated having them removed.i can honestly say I never have had any problems.
Hi Tony. That's awesome and thanks for sharing your experience. Most hardware can stay in place and the majority of issues that people have after a fracture are likely related to the injury rather than the hardware. Having said that if people have severe pain or restriction they should always see their doctor. Thanks for watching.
Yeah I had a car accident like a year ago And I had to have some hardware put in And my spine was healed after a few months And I decided to have it removed the moment I found out it was fully healed Mainly because arthritis runs very high in my family Especially in the joints and spinal cord area And I did not want to risk it So I had my hardware removed and i several exercises to rebuild my strength And then I was fully recovered But do take it easy guys and when you're rebuilding your strength do not overdue it You do not want to reinjure the same area
Boy oh boy are they right if you don't have to take it out you should never take it out. Just recently I went in for surgery because my fibula was fractured. During the operation I woke up I didn't feel pain but I woke up and I remember it. Then when they were finished they went to bring me out of the anesthesia I was violet. Biting the tube and it took 10 people to hold me in place they tied down my hands and my legs. Then they put me on a ventilator tube down my throat. I woke up during that a couple times finally after two days of being in the ICU on a ventilator they took it out and moved me to a different part of the hospital. That was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life being stuck on a ventilator not being able to move my hands or my feet I could talk and hear myself but nobody else could hear me there's no way snowball's chance in hell am I going in for surgery for anyting
had a humerus shaft fracture and did open reduction internal fixation (titanium plate and 8 screws). Surgery went extremely well, so much to the point that my physiotherapist was surprised that I had no pain post surgery compared to other patients he's seen. The healing process was smooth sailing. The arm has had full range of motion through physiotherapy and I'm considering just leaving the hardware inside my arm for life. I've seen majority of the comments about people removing their hardware, but are there any other people who have made the same decision as I did, and leaving it inside their body?
I'm a Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor and had an emergency operation done to my neck because my 2nd vertebrae was attacked and destroyed. 75% of my C2 vertebrae was eaten by the cancer. I had heap bone extract added to my neck during surgery. I have been living with a C1 through C3 and C4 fusion since December 2016 and in 2021 I discovered that one of the pins broke off. Ever since that I have been experiencing excruciating pain down both my arms and legs. I sometimes become lame in my arms and legs as well. I've gone to my surgeon and asked if they could remove it but they declined. I don't want to live like this anymore. It's been going on for almost a year now...
Hi The Violin Room. So sorry to hear this. It is possible that it may be too dangerous. Definitely worth a second opinion. Best of luck to you. Thanks for watching and subscribing
@@TalkingWithDocs thanks for the input. I'm seeing a neurologist this month about my issue. Not sure what will transpire from it but I'm being hopeful and positive.
My hardware, installed into my right leg in November of 2023, is causing me pain in my ankle and knee. X-rays show that the bones have recovered, so the surgeon agreed to remove the hardware. I'm going to go through it in four days
I had a compound fracture in my ankle back in 2010. 11 years later, I have a sore on my ankle I’ve had since 2016. It hurts sometimes, but I’m concerned. I went to the orthopedic doctor and he said it wasn’t a problem. I’m going to have insurance through my job and I’m going to have to get it out. I’m concerned about healing time.
Did you get it removed? My sore was caused by a pin trying to work its way out. I saw the xtrays last week and hopefully they will take all the hardware out. I can see the head of the pin poking out of the sore.
Hi Docs! Thank you so much for posting this video and for taking the time to help out everyone through the comments. I had an ulnar shortening osteotomy post distal radius/ulnar styloid fx earlier this summer. Everything seemed to be going well post-op until I hit the 8 week mark and had a big increase in my activities and started to do a lot more with my arms. After about a week of increased activity I got pretty bad tendinitis (suspected) over the surgical site and ecu tendon. The skin surrounding my scar and over the distal ulna is now numb. I'm 18 years old and am striving to be a surgeon in my future, so I'm a little concerned about long term effects from this, considering I want to be using full dexterity of my hands in the future. I definitely will be talking to my surgeon about it but I came across this video and would like to get your advice if you have the time. Do you have any ideas why the area over the incision is suddenly numb?
Hi Olivia. So there are superficial sensory nerves in that area that can be irritated with the plate and activity. Removal around one year is not unreasonable. Best of luck with your surgical pursuits! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Just had a plate and seven screws removed from my elbow after nine months. The recovery is a breeze compared to my initial surgery. I'm pretty thin so I could literally see the shape of the plate under my skin! I already had recovered about 95% of my ROM after physical therapy. Hoping now to push it back to 100%. My surgeon gave me my hardware to keep. So weird to think all that was in my elbow!
Hi Betsy, would you mind sharing how many weeks you had cast on around elbow area? My son (12 yrs old) just removed hardware (olecranon fracture) after 9 month from initial surgery, the cast will be 4-5 weeks. Do you have more range of motion after removing cast? Thank you.
@@TalkingWithDocs Hi Doctor, May I please have a question: my son (12 yrs old) got serious injuries to the humerus and elbow 9 months ago. There are plate and 6 screws around humerus (bottom area very closed to elbow), the hardware was bent for 13-15 degree after initial surgery, is it safe to keep the hardware in the humerus? Thank you.
@@fangcaocoming I didn't have a cast after the hardware removal, just a large bandage for about 4 days. My range of motion has improved in the six weeks since the hardware removal. My elbow is feeling less confined.
@@betsyrapp5712 Thanks for your quick response. Not sure why my son had a cast on for 5 weeks, I just worried if it will affect the range of motion? Before hardware removal, the range of motion was 80%, OT said it may be because of the hardware , is your hardware removal for the olecranon as well. Thanks again.
First of all, I love your videos and I'm amazed you take the time to answer all the questions. I broke my wrist almost 2 yrs ago and had the hardware removed and a neuroma fixed 7 months later. I was still in pain but managed to be basically pain free about 5 months later with OT for 4 months. Then the only thing I can think of is one day I kept flexing my wrist back and forth all day (felt tight, like I was stretching the scar) and set off ongoing pain (except while asleep). I have gone for EPAT, Graston technique, acupuncture, cold laser, and more physical therapy . Went to a highly regarded ortho at HSS in NYC..more x-rays and I brought MRI and ultrasound reports. Really no definitive answer or problem seen. Is there a way to know if there is a nerve stuck in scar tissue? I am in such pain...still wondering if constantly flexing back and forth is aggravating the issue. Dr. is putting me on gabapentin and MORE OT. He said he would really try to avoid more surgery. I am having a hard time with this pain. How much does your mind and anxiety play into this problem? Sorry I hit you with so much but I respect your opinion. I am the type of person who likes to know exactly what is causing the problem. I have no tingling,zapping, numbness but some sensitivity by scar. Thank you in advance!
Hi Doreen. So it could be the nerve. Usually you would have other symptoms. Gabapentin may help this. Sometimes a nerve conduction study can help. Wishing you the best of luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I fractured my clavicle 6 months ago playing ice hockey. Had orif of clavicle. 6 months later still a lot of pain in my shoulder and cant push lift anything over 5lbs or overhead reach. My shoulder specialist wants an mri. Ive tried 3 times different mri machines and the radiologist and have cancelled it because they said too much metal on my clavicle the magnet of mri machine will cause issues and pain for me during mri. So now my doctor wants to remove the hardware. Then once healed do mri to see if there is a labrum tear to repair. Im not sure what to do. I have a job that involves heavy lifting and ive been off for 6 months. I just want my life back.
Hi Kyle. It’s tricky for sure. If they think the bone is healed hardware removal will allow a useful MRI to be done to assess your shoulder properly. It is rare to have both injuries but sounds like something is going on. It may be labrum or rotator cuff. Best of luck
I had an L5/S1 fusion almost 4yrs ago....for the last 3.5yrs it has been causing pain worse than before I had surgery (I had a broad based grade 4 annular tear, spondylosis, and evidence of a previous fracture on the r pedicle from an accident I had in my youth). My pain management doc says it needs to come out, he's more than fairly certain it's the metal...I can't find a surgeon who is willing to do it. Surgeon who put it in says the pain is all in my head and refuses to even see me anymore...very cocky and offended that I even dare to say his work isn't needed anymore. The fuse is solid...I don't need the metal anymore. I'm at my wits end.
Hi Jennifer. Sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time - especially that your treating surgeon will not hear your complaints. Symptomatic hardware can be complicated especially at the base of the spine. It certainly could be the cause of your pain. And yes, often surgeons will not want to take out someone else's hardware. You would have to ask around until someone says yes unfortunately. Good luck.
@@TalkingWithDocs UPDATE!!! In 2020, I found out that I am also allergic to wheat and yeast, and the metal was making the allergic response worse (had to keep an epi pen with me at all times, and started undergoing allergy shots). I finally got the hardware removed on 8/25/2021!!! I found a surgeon unbothered by who installed it, and easily agreed to remove it. He was surgeon #25 consulted (all of the rest wished me luck when they learned of who the installing surgeon was since he had since been promoted to chief of staff/chief of medicine for a large hospital system here in Houston…they were all afraid to get blacklisted by him). On 9/5/21, I went septic. 9 days inpatient, I went home, underwent 21 ketamine infusions, and lumbar bases chronic pain disappeared. 12/2022, found out that I had a 5mm herniation at C5/C6, and had an urgent ACDF 1/3/2023 by the same surgeon who removed the lumbar hardware, but he made a note in my file that it needed to be removed at 6 months…I’m going for pre-op to have it removed this week. I’m also looking for a general surgeon to remove my gallbladder clips, and will be undergoing chelation and more ketamine treatments once all metal is removed from my body). Never take no for an answer if you know that something is wrong!
I had an ORIF after breaking and dislocating my ankle two years ago. Since then I’ve had multiple internal infections around the top of the plate which makes it extra tender, hot and swollen - and the screw on the bottom of the plate can be seen pressing under my skin which is uncomfortable. I’ve got an appt with my ortho surgeon tomorrow to potentially have it removed!!
@@wibblywibble Thanks for sharing your experience. It's so great to hear you're doing so well. How quickly did it heal? A few weeks? Did you have bimalleolar ORIF?
Hii Lise....i m from India...i too had broken my talus n tibia just two months back...i had surgery now cast is removed...how long it takes to recover from it.
There are allergy tests. Why don’t they use them ? I believe I developed “metallosis” after getting surgery for broken upper left leg. following that surgery. 8/13/2023, I became anemic and developed several PE. Underwent surgery for blood thinner.
When my right femur was repaired back in 1965, the rod that was inserted (an SMO 404 12x58) seemed to move up beyond the top of the femur, after about a year, and caused me great pain when I flexed my hip.. so I had the rod replaced with a shorter version (an OEC 11.3x42). After a few more years I was nervous about having the "rebar" in my thigh (thinking that a big hit to my femur would fracture my knee or my hip, which would be a bigger problem) I elected to remove the second rod. Now I have a pair of stainless steel windchimes!! Your thoughts?? Thx as always!!
I;ve listened to this video several times before deciding to remove my clavicle plate. These types of videos never give you assurance of what to do. I think Orthopedics should bring in people of all types of breaks/ages/levels to tell how they felt before and after. They really discouraged me for several years until I removed mine in January 2018. It was put in in september 2007. Here is my story: Depending on the break, the plate should be removed. Even if your doctor placed the plate out of the way so that you could do "normal" activities. I say normal because, it will never be 100 % if you had a break like mine. I was 18, football injury, someone dropped me on the left shoulder. Midshaft, compound fracture, meaning it broke in the middle in two spots. Painful. Plate was placed in with 7 screws laterally, and 2 screws at angles from the topside. Wire wrapped around plate to begin healing. All was well until a year after. I was experience craking in popping when I would move much shoulders up and roll them back during normal day activities. I could never fully return to my max bench press, wasn't a lot before but I could not press 150 lbs without fear of breaking something. 10 years go by. I went to another ortho and he said he could aliviate 80-90% of the pain and problems I stated above. It always felt weak and when doing anything physical, mixing concrete, holding grocery bags (heavy), always felt like there was tension and I could feel where the plate wasn't moving but the rest of my anatomy was (bones, muscles, tissue, nerves were alwasy getting pinched or flicked like a tendon). So, long story short, he was able to remove the plate but had to leave two screws and some wire because of the calcification. After about 4 weeks, I state 4 weeks because that is probably when my bruising and wound healed up completely. Yes, there is some sensitivity and no sensitivity in that area post clavicle plate and after plate removal. i don't think I will every regain that feeling around the scar area 3x3 inch area. After that 4 week period, I began strengthening my arm and could put pressure on it without fear of breaking. I drank whole milk during that time so I could get as much Vit D as possible without worry. Fastforward 2022, I can do just about anything and I have fell down in the snow, played basketball and wrestle with my kids jumping on me. I still feel week and just need to get back in shape mostly. I just hate hurting and get tired easily, always have since the injury in 2007. I don't experience my arm falling asleep or get tingly when working overhead, not like it used to. I'd be happy to answer any questions. I do disagree with their timeline. It doesn't seem like they care to want to take hardware out of your body. It was painful during cold and warm season changes and it was agrivating in the mornings. I would get excuses from the doctors that that is just the way it was going to be. My belief is if they can put it in, they can take it out once the bone is healed. It isn't weaker after a break, it is calcified and in some cases stronger. Hardware removal leaves holes, but that shouldn't be something to fear. Just be careful for a few weeks and intake as much food that contains calcium or higher levels. I was 29 when it was taken out. My metabolism was slower but it was a relief. I can sleep on that side without waking up in the middle of the night or next moring cracking and popping.
Hello Doctors, thank you for your prior response & kind words. It's been decided by my diabetic brother's doctors that his metal plate & screws (reinforcing his comminuted upper humerus) should be removed permanently in a few days after it's been in for ~11 weeks, in order to try completely kill off the postoperative infection via IV. Do you have any commentary on how his arm might hold up without the metal & what we could do to keep it strong/safe? Thank you.
Hi Powerful Aura. Sorry to hear that but it is good to have a definitive plan. Hard to give specific advice without an examination and review of his imaging but they will likely provide him with a sling and possibly some type of brace or splint. Best of luck. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Tibia plateau fracture on July 9th 2018 with compartment syndrome and infection. 31 days in the hospital and 9 surgeries. Been living with 2 large plates and numerous screws. I still have knee pain and I am so tired of feeling like I am 80. I was outside trying to mow the lawn today and got 80% done and felt like I was going to collapse. it’s stiff in the morning and by night it’s usually soar. I still use ice around it still a year later about every other day. I don’t know if it’s the hardware or the leg itself. Not sure what to do. Just really tired of not being able to walk a long distance or even mowing my lawn.
Hi The VooDooMan. You suffered a very severe injury and it is typical to have ongoing pain after. It is important to be reassessed to make sure there has not been any hardware failure or recurrent infection. It is also common to develop arthritis after this type of injury. Ultimately you may require hardware removal and possibly a knee replacement. We can totally appreciate your frustration. Good luck and keep us posted. Thanks for watching.
Talking With Docs Thank you for the response. I did meet with my surgeon last week for the first time since February and he said the same thing as well and has decided to remove the hardware. He also stated that he was going to do some sort of scope to look at the knee joint and said that I was most likely looking at a knee replacement in 10 years or so. Not looking forward to surgery again even to get the equipment out, but if it will even help a little then I feel its worth it. The plan right now is to do the removal in November so I will update then. Thank you again!
Broke both my arms 3 years ago in a motorbike accident and had plate put in been in intense pain ever since up till this day now 3 years later been pushed forward to have the plate removed next week but this video cleared up a lot of worried and questions I was worried about so thank you !hopefully I recover and can finally not be in pain
Is there any updates on your pain? My bf broke his femur almost 4 years ago and has a metal rod. It was kind of bothering him however now pain is getting more intense. He has an apt to get it removed in two weeks but we are still unsure if that will even help.
Had a left hip femoral acetabuloplasty april 17th for pain in hip/groin. Pain came back in 2019 and saw a hip replacement surgeon. Said most peoples femur should be 10 degrees forward. On my CT it showed left side at -16 degrees and right side at 5 degrees. He recommended a femoral osteotomy for left hip, which I had done November 5, 2019 and was inpatient after for 4 days. It was a cannulated plate and screws. Been in physical therapy since dec. 3rd and finish jan.30th. Was on crutches 30lb max weight bearing until dec. 16 appt with surgeon. Was then allowed full weight-bearing on leg, with both crutches, progressing to one crutch. Finally able to walk without crutches last week. At 3 month post-op visit jan. 20, 2020 finally released back to work at mcdonalds. At work I am a closer working back drive thru window-washing dishes. Should I be worried about anything at work? Will i ever have to get my hardware removed, If I ever need hardware removed will surgery/recovery be as lengthy as when hardware was put in? Would i have to use crutches/do more physical therapy after removal surgery? How does a femur get femur rotated that much backwards? With the right side at 5 degrees will I ever have to do something to that side in the future?
Hi Janet. That is a lot of questions. First, congrats on your recovery thus far. The main reason for version abnormalities (or how much the femur is rotated) is related to position in the womb and genetics. You may or may not have to do something about the other side. Pain will be your guide. As for hardware removal, it will often be done at the time of a hip replacement or can be done as a staged procedure before hip replacement. Best to discuss all of these options with your treating surgeon. Recovery is easier as you do not have to allow the bone time to heal. Regular work should be ok. Let pain and common sense be your guide. Good luck and thanks for watching.
@@TalkingWithDocs on april 15th, 2021 getting the cannulated plate and screws removed from my hip/leg. Was starting to get pain on that side when sleeping on that hip. Also am getting popping sounds when laying on that side. Hopefully recovery is quicker than when femoral osteotomy was done. Still gets lots of pain in groin area and surgeon has no ideas on how to help that.
I had surgery to remove plate and screws from a fibula fracture because it was showing signs of possible infection. My surgeon also did arthroscopic surgery at the same time to remove a bone spur, scar tissue and repair ligaments. I was sent home in a splint. No pain after the surgery and very little swelling. Three days later I went in for the post op during which the splint was removed and the wounds were wrapped in gauze and a bandage. I was told to remain non-weightbearing (using a walker B/C the crutches didn't feel safe) and was told to wear the boot 24/7 except when sleeping. Within five hours of being in the boot I had pain, swelling and break-through bleeding. As of this writing I still have four days before stitches are removed. Just wondering why I need the boot if I am essentially non-weightbearing, and especially since it rubs against the tender site of the operation? Seems to be causing many more problems that helping in any way. I hope I will hear back from someone. Thanks...
Hi Rebecca. The boot is designed to support the bone after hardware removal. Our best advice is to wear a thick sock or add some padding to the tender area and hang on until the sutures are removed. Best of luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I had a MCP joint fusion in my right thumb due to pain from osteoarthritis combined with a fall onto my palm from a truck tailgate, K wires with a secured a figure 8 tension wire. Had to have them removed about 8 months later because the tendon to my thumb tip was rubbing across the top of it and limiting movement.
Hi Bobby. You have to be careful on the back of the truck!. Glad things sound like they worked out and often tension band hardware does have to be take out due to irritation of surrounding tissues.
My doctor recommended my plate to be removed. It's been nine months and pain and certain hand movements are a bummer. I am very happy about it. I can easily feel the screws in my forearm. As you gentlemen stated, my doctor wants to make sure whatever lingering pain is not being caused by the plate. I do have a question(s). Will another nerve block be in place for hardware removal and how long until returning to work. I know staples/ stitches are in for a good 2 weeks.
Hi Heather. There are numerous factors to consider. The majority of healing after injuries like these takes place in about a year. If you have ongoing pain there are many possible causes. The presence of hardware can be one of them and especially so if you can feel the screws. It is important to remember that you can still have some residual pain once the hardware is removed and occasionally new pain. Usually the healing after hardware removal is faster than when the bone(s) is broken. Typically two weeks for staples but generally 6 weeks for soft tissues to heal with physio. Returning to work depends on your job as well as the location of the hardware - usually 4-6 weeks. Regarding the nerve block, it depends on the center - sometimes it is done under a general anesthetic and sometimes with a nerve block. Hope that helps
Talking With Docs Thank you for responding. My hardware was removed yesterday. I was extremely nauseous afterwards. I believe the anesthesia caused this. The pain isn't as bad as when the hardware was put in place, but it still hurts. I do however still have a separate pain in my wrist. It pops. I will question that at my follow up.
Heather Borrego I am having this done on Friday after having the hardware in for 3 years. I’m nervous!!! I’ve been having pain and functional issues for the past few months and Dr. recommended to remove hardware because there is concern for tendon rupture. How are you doing post op?
I just had mine removed, had it placed in January. it kept giving me a lot of pain, and when removed, there was a ton of scar tissue that had formed around it. It already feels a lot better, just have to wait on the holes to heal.
I still had mine on me...thinking about to get it out too..but too scared ..and keep on thought if i took it out ..my bone will become weak....btw what your surgeon says after you hv yours out?? It took how many month to heals again after taken it out?
che ija I talked to the doctor, once they take it out, it may take up to a year for the screw holes to fill in. Yes, you’ll probably be back in a boot or a brace for a while, but so far, things have been better. Less pain, still a little stiffness, though.
Hi Linda. That is good to hear. Some hardware is prominent for sure depending on the location of your surgery. Best of luck in your recovery. Thanks for watching.
Hi che ija. So the bone should not be particularly weak for any prolonged period after removal. Like Linda said, the screw holes often slowly fill in with bone over time. Good luck with your decision and thanks for watching.
I am scheduled to have the hardware from a humeral head/neck commuted nearly a year ago. It has been postponed due to the spike in Covid. I can feel the hardware just under the skin with clicking and popping. I have lost mobility recently (which is new symptom). I appreciated that wait and see up to 2 years is ok.
I just had the plate insurted surgically and this has been the most horrible pain and recovery. I cannot imagine undergoing surgery AGAIN and have my wrist cut open and have the plates removed. What HELL this has been!!
Great video & channel Docs. I am 25 years old & fractured my elbow (olecranon) last October. So 6.5 months ago. I had a plate & screws put in that curves the corner of my elbow and is a “J “ shape. The surgery went quite well but I still seem to have quite some pain on the right side of olecranon (left arm) I feel that maybe getting the plate out could reduce this pain?? I play competitive golf and am trying to get back into weightlifting, but this always gives me some sort of pain when I do both. The hospital was Aurora St. Luke’s in WI. ANY insight would be greatly appreciated! & fantastic channel 👍
Thanks JAKE. So sometimes removing the plate can improve function. You just want to make sure that your pain is actually caused by the plate itself rather than being a consequence of the trauma and fracture of your elbow. Hope that helps. Best of luck. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing if you did.
Thank you gentlemen for your insight. I recently had an accident. I took a fall rock climbing and fractured my calcaneus. I currently have three screws and I have the option of getting them removed. My question is whether the gaps or holes left from the screws will heal properly crating new bone and fill the holes. I’ve read and researched and have had different opinions on whether the holes would heal properly or not and now I’m not sure if I should have them removed or leave them in because having the the hardware removed might give me a risk of re-injuring due to screw holes not healing. I would very much appreciate your opinion. Thanks you and God bless 🙏🏽
Hi Tony. So we usually recommend leaving them in unless they cause a specific problem. You will likely have some persistent pain due to having a fractured calcaneus. It can be a bad injury. Often the holes will fill in but it can take a long time. Worth a chat with your surgeon but we try to leave them in
Several years ago 2014 I had femur fractures from osteoporosis. I never fell I had therapy few time I had them in both legs. After therapy I started to walk again I still wasn’t able to left my legs to walk up steps but I was doing chores around the house cooking and dishes and sweeping and mopping and laundry. 2016 I was not able too walk at all I’m in chronic pain I hate going anywhere anymore because I suffer just getting dressed and getting in and out of the car to the wheelchair I am going to a pain clinic and I just got a pain pump in November. The Doctor say it’s still pretty low and it will take sometime fore it to be stronger enough where I’m not hurting so bad.
I was wondering when my rods and screws were put in if it caused my pelvis or sacrum to slightly shift. And that’s why I hurt and can’t walk. Is that possible? I’m 60 years old 5 ft. And 89 lbs because I get so it’s difficult to eat sometimes
Hi Joan. It is possible that your pelvis is tilted and there are many potential causes for this. One of them could be if your legs are different lengths which often can happen after femur fractures. Best to discuss this with your surgeon and potential options including a shoe lift to even you out. Hope that helps. Good luck and thanks for watching.
Talking With Docs thank u the surgeon is retired. I don’t know if shoes would help because I can’t stand up or walk. I am hoping that once my pain pump has enough rx and I don’t hurt so bad that therapy will help also. Thank you for answering
I watched a video of someone’s rod being removed. It’s scary I don’t think I would be able to get it out. I do have osteoporosis and in very thin. 5 feet 89 lbs. and being over 60.
I went to my 12 week post op appt today. I spoke to my surgeon he's OK with me removing it. I can do it in 6 months and I seriously can't freaking wait. I hate that I can't sleep and I feel all of my hardware. It's uncomfortable 😫 and stiff . I know I'm early on. But it needs to go .
Had a L4/L5 fusion. Had hardware removed only to find out a fusion never occurred. The cage has to be removed now and a new one put in along with new hardware.
Hi Brooks. That is disappointing and frustrating for sure. All fusions have the possibility of non union. Hopefully you are not a smoker as this increases the chance of failure. Good luck with your new procedure. Thanks for watching.
@@TalkingWithDocs I was not a smoker, just one of the unlucky. The last surgeon also used BMP for the fusion and somehow it leaked out the cage and caused hetrotopic bone growth "bone spurs" that have to be removed along with the cage. My orginal surgery was just a PLIF, now its an ALIF and PLIF. My surgery is in 3 weeks! I do agree about the smoking, I belive it increases the chance of a non union by 40%.
I have 2 plates in right arm. The one on the side I can feel it running my fingers along it. I can’t see it but can sure feel it and if in the sun it heats up. The other plate doesn’t bother me. I’m curious however is the pain about the same as getting it out as it was going in. I like to listen to drs best advice. Sadly the dr who did this surgery passed away last year to ask.
So yes pain is comparable however you don’t have the broken bone pain to deal with. There are some risks. Maybe talk to another local surgeon. Best of luck
@@TalkingWithDocs Thank you for the answer. The pain with the plate on the side of my wrist hurt. I don’t want the same pain. I do want to say thank you to both of you. I have a high respect for ortho drs!!
I've just had all my hardware removed and feel so much better already. The wound from the op hurts of course but my mobility is so far much improved and it's only been a week since getting it all out. Very glad I listened to my gut and pushed for the removal, the surgeons were hesitant but I believed it was worth a go and now I'm very relieved I did. The pain from the hardware that was in my ankle was getting no better even after a years time in recovery.
You know your own body, listen to it and your gut and if you know something is wrong don't take "I don't know"/"I'm not sure" as an answer from your doctors. Things can only get worse in time if you leave them untreated. Peace and love to anyone reading this, I wish you wellness and safety :).
Thank you for sharing your experience LTA. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
where you operated mam !?and how it is going now mam
Is the removal fully covered by the insurance?
Did your recovery improved after removing the screw? How are you now? Thanks
Thanks for sharing your own personal experience, I found it useful. I too am currently struggling with mobility issues and ongoing pain in my ankle which I think is because of these screws and plates, even after going to physical therapy 2 days a week for over 6 weeks now. I wholeheartedly agree (with you) about listening to your gut and doing what you think is best, especially listening to your own body. My surgeon too is reluctant to remove them, but I'm going to keep pushing for removal after waiting a year. Although I'm fully aware of the consequences I'm willing to take the chance.
I had my metalware (7 screws & 1 plate) removed, 15 months after a Weber C fracture. Strangely for me, US/Canadian surgeons often even leave syndesmotic screws in place, even fully expecting these screws to break, once weight bearing is commenced. "It does take up operative time that could be used for other purposes"? Yep, I think that might be the main reason. This operation does not pay much and when I talked to an Australian surgeon, he was only willing to take the metalware out in conjunction with an arthroscopy, charging a couple of thousand of extra dollars for the entire procedure. The doctor also advised that he would not be willing to hand me the metalware after the operation. So I decided to head to Europe (Berlin), where I had all metalware removed for a couple of hundred Euros, versus in excess of A$3,000 in Australia. My surgery happened 6 days ago and I feel terrific. No more pressure in that area and totally worth the long journey. Always consider that surgeons are also business people.
Removal of hardware is a controversial topic. In general, hardware removal should be considered when the hardware is symptomatic. Broken hardware is actually often asymptomatic and can remain in place permanently with no negative effects in many cases. You are correct that syndesmosis screws often will break and are left in. I am sure the reason to not remove hardware varies but the main reason is likely a desire to avoid the risk of surgery if it is not absolutely necessary.
Hey 8strings Im thinking of having my hardware taken out, what hospital did you use in Berlin? thanks
@@R4W88 you dont have to go in a hospital in berlin there are plenty of good hospitals in germany i have to know it i live there
good thing we got a health insurance in germany so we dont have to pay for each operation only like 100 to 200 euros per months max
@@TalkingWithDocs Jeah i have a radiusfractur and got a metal plate with 4 screws in it and an ulna fracture with one screw very close to the wrist and i have problem number 2 and 3
I had an L1 burst fracture, with spinal fixation done over a year ago (from T11 to L3). It reduced my mobility, and the surgeon who did the fixation told me it was better to remove that hardware to put less strain (over many years) on the surrounding vertebrae. I just got the hardware removed and already I feel so much better!
Very nice. Glad you are ok. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Cuiv, The lazy Geek. I was wondering what kind of pain you were having before they took hardware out? I have T12-L1 fused 4 years ago and now it feels hardware is causing problems. Thanks for sharing your story!
@@Boudreaux911 For me it was mostly a constant kind of pain right under one of the fixation rods getting worse with exercise, along with very easily feeling fatigue and strain on the area around the hardware. Commuting on crowded Tokyo trains during the rush hour always had those symptoms come up, so it wasn't great for work. Lying down from time to time helped a lot though...
I have a t11-l3 fusion almost two years ago. I find the hardware to be pretty painful bu I've been extreamly nervous about another surgery and having it removed. Has anything gotten worse since having it taken out?
@@clintdarquea3719 It's much better since I got the hardware out. I basically feel like I'm back to normal, as I was prior to the accident! No pain or anything. I'm 38 though, so I'm still relatively young.
Thanks for this video! i recently got a plate in my foot and was confused about a lot of things that might come in the next 1-2yrs. This clarifies a lot of doubts and such a to-the-point video... THANKS!!!!!!!!!
Hi Docs, love your videos. I fractured my wrist 1 1/2 years ago and had a titanium plate and screws put in. Seven months later had hardware removed due to pain. Removal went well and dr found a neuroma, cauterized and buried it in screw hole and held with bone wax. Still had discomfort and pain but went for months of occupational therapy and felt well for 3 or 4 months. One day kept flexing wrist and now have had pain almost daily that doesn't resolve except while sleeping. Went for a second opinion was blown off. Dr took many x-rays and kept saying "not bad". Wrist healed straight. I requested another ultrasound trying to rule out nerve or tendon problem. Dr. said what he was able to see looked good. MRI after hardware removal showed some mild tendinosis. I am at wit's end about what to do. I keep telling myself I had felt well and can get back to that point. It really takes a toll on your mind when a dr says you might have this forever. It also hasn't been a year since removal. Any encouragement or suggestions would be much appreciated. Have you ever heard of success with acupuncture? Dr would not give cortisone shot. He said skin is too thin and discolored. Thank you in advance. I find it incredible that you take the time to answer all these questions.
Sorry to hear this Doreen. It can be complicated and often a specific cause of the pain cannot be identified. Acupuncture is worth a try. Cortisone same. Maybe topical medication. Physio. Best of luck to you. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thank you so much for your response. I'm telling myself that if I was able to feel good for 4 months post hardware removal, I can get to that point again. Believing that is more than half the battle. Thanks again!
@@doreenviscardo9126How are you know brother?
coolest , easiest , simplest , clearest video on the subject
ran outta words
thank you doctors!!!
Alex! You are too kind. Doing our best to keep the channel informative and somewhat entertaining. All the best. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
I had ORIF for a broken ankle 14 months ago. A metal plate and 6 screws were installed. Two screws went through the ankle bone. The ankle screws rubbed against any shoe I tried and every step was painful. I had all hardware removed 6 weeks ago. It’s no longer painful. The ankle is a little stiff, but I am hopeful it loosens with exercise. Even if it doesn’t, the pain is gone, and the 13 minutes in the OR was totally worth it.
Thanks for sharing
Just a question when its cold why does the plate give a tingling sensation
@@michelleongoro5495 I assume it’s the metal reacting to the cold. Mine ached in the cold.
@@lindamartin6860 oh really does stop at some point or will it be there for a long time
@@michelleongoro5495 To my knowledge, as long as there is metal in there, it will react (ache) in the cold.
Plate and screws in my fibula by the ankle for 35 years, no problem with it. Glad to see this video I can directly relate too.
Leave it in there!
Wow, first time to know its ok not to remove...how old you then?
is it titanium?
Got out of surgery yesterday only had 2 screws put in my ankle. Anxious and scared was a understatement. Got nothing but massive appreciation to these doctors and nurses (first time ive had to have any op done)
Hi oioi. Hope you are doing ok now. Speedy recovery. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Hi oioi-SHANK. After how long from 1st surgery are your screws supposed to be taken out?
Oi! Oi! Skank
Have you had issues w hardware because I wanna pay extra for gold.
Lmk.
Oi! Oi! SKUNKS 🧷
I had a bimalleolar ORIF in December and it healed just fine. Then 6 months later my roommate’s cat bit my ankle right on the scar which led to a MRSA infection of my ankle and emergency surgery for hardware removal the day before my college graduation! I made it to graduation in a wheelchair with a huge cast and hooked up to a drainage bag LOL but it could’ve been a lot worse. I’m glad we caught it before it became septic. Moral of the story: always get things checked out and don’t wait until the last minute. Now I’m just waiting for my incision site to heal and to finish my course of antibiotics 😊 hopefully all my ankle drama is finished
Hi Eva. Crazy cats! Glad to hear you are on the mend. Keep getting better and thanks for watching. And congratulations on your graduation!
Hi i had surgery 2 weeks ago for a broken wrist. I now have a plate. Your explanations for leaving the plate in are informative. However, i understand that plates have only been used since around 2000. Therefore, i am concerned of the long term effects of keeping the plate in. So any stats on the long term effects will not be older than 18 years. I am trying to make an informed decision about whether to have the plate out. My gut feeling is to eventually remove this useful, but alien, object! Thank you for your help.
Dude I'm not trolling you at all. These guys are Canadian Universal Healthcare Asshats. I had two metal plates and twelve screws on my left forearm implanted 13 years ago. They bothered me the whole duration of the time. I just recently got them out about two months ago and the difference is mindblowing. If a doctor tells you no, go to another doctor. Spend the money do whatever you have to do just GET THOSE OUT
@@youngman7600 how you feeling now bro? im planing to remove my plate in my forearm after 2 years im only 5and a half months post op.
@@halamanmahiwaga2063 Amazing brother I can get back to doing all the things I love. Actually just got done boxing lol
@@youngman7600 sounds good! how long the hole in the bone will heal? and how long the operation? i only have 1 plate and 6 screw on my radius bone
@@halamanmahiwaga2063 Give it 6 months to be on the safe side. I had 2 plates on that bone and I'm back to normal. I'm so happy with the decision to get the plates out
Informative and interesting as always. Just 2 weeks post LAPIPLASTY surgery, I never thought about the possibility of having the plate or plates and screws removed and don’t think that was ever the plan. Hoping there will never be a need for that. Other than this annoying boot I have no complaints. Great videos that always answer questions of inquiring minds with reduced mobility.
Glad we could help Edwards Brothers. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
If the idea of having metal stuff in your system bothers you get'it removed, it feels relief!
It is a very personal choice for sure. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I had my hardware removed about a month ago. The screws were sticking out up under the skin looking like little skin tent. After the removal I almost immediately felt pain in a certain area. But felt it was likely just healing. At 12 days I had my staples removed only to discover the incisions had not healed at all but were open. I’d fallen first step out of my car on arrival ho,e from surgery, slipping on some water that has spilled on the garage floor from a watering can I had no idea what’s there. Perhaps the incisions popped open then. It was painful but an x-ray showed no breaks. The nurse at my doctor’s office applied sterili strip and a breathable mepore bandage and sent on my way. Instructed to come back if there were complications etc. Five days later I sent pics of the incisions to my surgeon who wanted to see me pronto and within a few days I met with him. He was concerned, suggested surgery to clean it out or antibiotics. I chose the latter and am going to wound care three times a week. Three more pills and we’ll see. The course of antibiotics was for seven days. I am definitely concerned.
Thank you so much for this very informative video. Had fibula plate put in on Oct. 31st. It drove my mad crazy hopping around with my walker on one foot for six weeks. I'm at 50% weight-bearing and in therapy, I am so anxious about recovering during the winter months in MI. I'll be doing the best I can, just hope we don't get a lot of snow and ice. Thanks again.
Hi Silver Fox. You are very welcome. So sorry to hear that you broke your ankle and had to have surgery. Time to look forward to your recovery. Yes the snow can be tricky - we know it up here in Ontario. Best advice is to go slowly. Good luck and thanks for watching.
Hi 😊.. i also just had plates fixed on my fibular..was hoping if you'd be able to give an update on how you are doing now. Just so i can know what to expect. Thanks
I had bi-malleolar fracture - plate & screws in left ankle. One year later plate, screws were removed. The only stress was the nurses terrorizing me all night - overnight for observation. I'm more afraid of technicians getting the injured arm or leg wrong or from needing to pee with a fractured knee but no one to help me get to the toilet. The knee ORIF wire has come apart but it doesn't look like they will remove it. It bugs me - wire all over my otherwise smooth knee/patella. That's why I watched this video. Thanks Docs!
Hi Brigid. Thank you for sharing your story. Good luck with the patellar hardware. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Hey thanks for taking the time to educate us! I had an open fracture on my tib/fib and a spiral fracture on my femur and I have 2 IM rods. I am experiencing large amount of pain above the kneecap whenever I extend my leg, it feels like the IM rod is pressing into the joint, it's only been 6 weeks since the operation, but I feel like my PT exercises are causing me more and more pain, and causing the knee to become more swollen. I am only 21 years old, if I am adamant to get all the hardware out, can I get the screws and rods out at the same time? Do I get the femur rod out first?
Hi spencrob. So you've had a lot of surgery. There are a few things that can be causing the pain above your patella. It is always important to see your specialist for an examination and if you have severe pain a new xray to make sure everything is where it needs to be. As far as removing hardware, if the femoral rod was put in retrograde (from the knee), you may be able to have them out through the same inicison. If not, you could still consider having both out at the same time. Usually you would have to wait at least a year and would want to ensure complete bony union. Open tib/fib fractures have a tendency to take longer to heal. Just don't start smoking as it will delay bone and wound healing. Good luck!
Ahh that makes sense doc, I must have 3 screws at the top of my femur rather than the usual 2. I gather they would have used the incision above the knee for both the femur and tibia rod. I have taken your advice from another video and today I bought myself some vitamin D to ensure I am sufficiently nutriated. In regards to smoking I stopped cold turkey after my accident, I hope I get union, because I would be suicidal if they have to replace this nail due to non-union. This surgery is pretty cruel and if I had the option of an external fixation device I would have leapt at the opportunity. Thanks for your help docs!
Did they remove your screw eventually? How are you?
I had a tibia plateau fracture with a grade 3 LCL rupture in 2019 that needed reconstruction. A plate and 8 screws later I had the hardware removed after 2 years due to significant pain/limitation of ROM and swelling. Absolutely life-changing. I had to go to another surgeon to get it removed because the original ortho refused to remove it. If you're suffering with issues long after the bone has healed, speak up. You WILL find a surgeon willing to help you out.
Hi caroline. We totally agree. If pain persists, it certainly can be related to the hardware. Thanks so much for sharing your story. Glad to hear you are doing well. Take care. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing if you did.
I have a tibia plateau fracture as well. I slipped and fell on the wet grass in 2017. The past year my knee has had so much pain. It’s sometimes unbearable to walk. I’ve had one cortisone shot in 2020 and another shot( can’t remember the name) back in April 2022. Neither shots have worked. I’m also dealing with plantar fasciitis. I’m not sure if it’s related to the screws or not. I’m desperate for some relief.
I had tibia fracture and 7 screws and plate the bone is healed but my leg feels like ice specially in cold weather the doctor is trying to frustrate my not take the plate out but my brain tells me that it's the plate and screws causing this. Can you advise me
Canadian Surgeons rule!! Thank you!!
Hi Shahriar. Thanks for the positive feedback. We are doing our best.
Hi docs! Christmas of 2016 I was snowboarding and had an unexpected fall resulted in shattering my left elbow (distal humerus fx etc), had ORIF with plates and screws. I think it was a pretty severe injury, I suffered lots of joint stiffness and pain. My bones are healed per my ortho team. Nov of 2017 my ortho doc noticed a small bone grow in the joint in the way of flexion, but said it's my choice if I want to have surgery to take out the bone growth (since he's in there already, he'd take out the implants too). I wanted to try my best with conservative measures of recovery and wanted to rule out the pain is not just a healing process but actually from the implants, so I waited. Now (Aug 2018) I'm still having pain, unable to bear much weight, some joint stiffness; though range of motion is improved, it's not 100%, and I'm just modified in my daily functional stuff. Should I go forth with the surgery given this status? My recovery from 1st surgery for trauma was pretty brutal, would this round of surgery be theoretically better & quicker? I'm a 34 year old female, active lifestyle (pretty bummed due to this injury). I have a hard time finding studies about outcome of hardware removal for specifically my type of injury in the US. I would love to hear your opinion!
Hi Winnie. So a fracture of the distal humerus is a difficult fracture that often results in pain and reduced range of motion after surgery. The risk of hardware removal is that you have ongoing pain, ongoing stiffness or possibly a nerve injury. This is something that is always best discussed with your surgeon. You need to decide if the disability you have now is acceptable or not and if not, what are the chances that this surgery will reduce your disability. It is often a very difficult decision. Hopefully that helps a little.
Back in January of 2015 my son broke his upper right femur while at hockey practice. The orthopedic surgeon placed a rod in the bone and 4 metal screws (2 high and 2 low) in the bone to hold the rod in place. Three years later and my son tells me he is beginning to feel discomfort from where the screws are. We've consulted a orthopedist while he was being seen for a totally different injury this year (2017-18) and he said that it's up to him whether he wants to have surgery to remove the screws.
My question(s) is, if he has surgery to remove the screws, will they also remove the rod in his femur or will that be left in? Will he also have to undergo post surgery physical therapy or just a few days of bed rest and recovery?
I had my screws removed from my knee, but my rod was left inside my femur. They said if it's not bothering you then to leave it. The screws in my knee however was pitching me from the inside over the years.
@@Danny-hv9ox i JUST had that screw by my knee removed 2 weeks ago. I left the rod in though (reinforced femur? Why not lol). That screw was pinching pretty bad. I also had plates and screws removed from my right fibula, left radius / ulna and right radius.
Main reason was because my left arm was still hurting at the gym even after a year and a half from my accident. If any1 is thinking about removing hardware wants to know an update just reply and ill reply back at that given time. God bless!
@@Sebas_tian_ sir i have my plates and screws in my left forearm just had surgery 3 weeks ago. how long will ever go bck to normal. and how long did it stay to your bones the plates screws in your radius and ulna before you removed it.
@@Sebas_tian_ lots of injuries, wow. I just fell on Christmas morning and shattered my radius and broke my ulna. Also displaced wrist bones. No hand surgeons available due to the holidays so I had a hellish 16 day wait for surgery. I am allergic to most metals. So he found a polycarbonate plate but unfortunately titanium screws. PS there’s no such thing as 100% pure titanium despite what Drs say. There’s ALWAYS trace metals. Titanium is soft, nickel and cobalt are hard and cheap. Sometimes trace metals cone during manufacturing. In any case my pain and swelling and discoloration are worse than before surgery so I am hoping to get this shit removed asap! I was in great shape and very flexible before but not have already lost 90% of my arm muscles in just this month of inactivity. Since surgery I go to therapy but can not bend fingers or move my wrist. Pain is awful despite pain medication. I cannot imagine how long until I can lift weights or do arm balances (yoga). Really bummed.
@REVOLUTIONARY hey how are u and to everyone else.. so it's been 5 months or so since I had the metal removed. My arm feels GREAT. seems like the screw that was backing out was definitely causing the pain. My arm is now fully healed and I even got back into the gym. Been pushing and curling decent weight with no trace of the previous pain. I had to wait this long due to a
Tendon being very inflamed as well from the removal process but I can tell u I'm extremely happy with the results from removing the hardware. Unfortunately my foot did receive permanent damage and will eventually need an ankle replacement but for now I'm not complaining. Happy I can still walk. Every case is different and for me it's been a very positive outcome from removing the hardware.
Hi doctors, I had laminectomy and L4,L5, & S1 fused back in 2016 and it was a successful surgery. Last July when I lifted a heavy item, I heard and felt unusual sounds like some screws being pulled in the fused bone. The first symptom was dull ache and within 30 minutes I started to get severe muscle spasms around the area. I couldn’t walk for about a month afterwards. Took a lot of medication and now all the muscle spasms subsided but now I have pain in the S1 bone where the screws are placed. The more I move around the more pain ache I feel in the bone. Especially if I bend forward I will have to be in bed for the next few days. The nerve pain is from the lower back, to buttocks and thighs down to the knee level. I took x-rays, CAT scan, and MRI. They don’t show any loose screws. But I feel the screws cause the pain. Yesterday I got steroid injections in the back but I didn’t see any difference. I’m hopeless and don’t know what to do. I’m going to see my surgeon next week but I’m not sure if he will be willing to solve this problem. I’m wondering if I could get my hardware removed at your clinic privately. Please let me know.
Hi Dev. Best advice is to see your treating surgeon. We are not spine surgeons and in Ontario there is no private surgery for this kind of thing. Best of luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thank you so much for the reply
But isnt the leg stronger than before?. Removing it only takes 15 mins some surgeons say.
Mine with the metal work, fractured fib and tib 2 years repaired after surgery. Safe to do downhill skiing? Or teakwondo?
no not safe if you ski again and break it in the same place.The hardware will then cause serious problems and may result in ruptured arteries due to the sharp fractured hardware
Hello, I’m 42 years old. 23 years old broke my femur - wanted to remove hardware doc tried and couldn’t so only took the screw from up top of femur by greater trochanter. Then two years later was running again and screws were poking threw my knee - the doc goes in and shaves the screws heads off (I know- what a mess) - years pass and I never think this will be anything major but here I am now - 2 failed labral hip reconstructions (I am very very active - but not anymore - I really need to be more careful) - Fast forward to now - I need a total hip replacement - just had surgery almost 3 weeks ago to remove screws - surgeon couldn’t get the entire rod out - part of the drill but broke but they couldn’t risk taking out the tiny piece of metal that flew “too close to my femoral artery.” My surgeon didn’t think it was that big a deal bc he said the size is minute. Tomorrow makes 3 weeks since the surgery. I am still in horrid pain. November/December I go in for a total hip replacement and femoral osteotomy. He said he knows he’d be able to remove rod this way (rod is also pointing more lateral by the greater trochanter in femur proximally)…they said recovery time is about three months. When a doc says this I multiple it by 2 so I say about 6 months total recovery a year. I am in major pain from my knee. I cannot do a leg lift on my own. I am starting to work with Physical Therapy now. It is extremely hard. I have a 22 mm labral tear in the right hip and in my left one now, I have an 11 mm tear. This is an absolute nightmare mess. I wish I could deal with a 22 mm tear but it is so absolutely painful, nauseating and hurts so badly. I wouldn’t have touched anything if I truly didn’t have to. I am sharing my story bc I feel it’s so rare. If anyone else has a story like this, please share. I am in so much pain right now. I’m wondering if that’s even normal. I don’t want them to think I am a drug seeker. I am in really bad pain. My surgeon said he expected this. My surgeon bounces me to pain management and pain management bounces me back to my surgeon - they don’t want red flags but who is ultimately responsible for this bc I want to die right now. That’s how much pain I am still in. I don’t know what to do. How long does the knee take to heal. I am banking on the osteotomy breaking my femur all over again - am I wrong - I feel like breaking the femur was easier than this knee stuff. Need honest to god answers please - is an osteotomy, and then a total hip replacement very very painful. What is your guess for turnaround time and if anyone has had this please can you share your story with me??
I feel like this is such a rare story. I’m trying to find answers. Here is been taxing to say the least. Thank you to anyone who reads this and for your honest opinion. 🙏🏼
I feel like you need to get a second opinion on your issues. Good luck and hopefully you will have a positive outcome. Your experience sounds absolutely horrible!
@@dh911lol and it was and here I am alive to speak about it! Three surgeries later - this was no joke - ty for your opinion
Hello, once the hardware is removed from the ankle, when would it be a good time to start with Physiotheraphy? As the numerous screws removed leave behind a lot of holes in the bone. And also when would one switch from partial weight bearing to full weight bearing keeping in mind about the holes in the bone and not to risk cracking them? Thank you in advance.
Hi G A. It is impossible to give specific advice to your situation without examining you and your xrays however generally speaking physiotherapy would start once the wound is healed - often around 2 weeks. As for weight bearing it would depend on your exact procedure but often patients are able to nearly full weight bear very early on. Ultimately it is up to your treating surgeon who you should discuss this with.
Just got my plate and screws removed yesterday. Doesn’t hurt nearly as much as it did when going in. Lol broke two bones in my ankle on October 30th and had surgery the 4th of November. Fun stuff.
I have 9 screws and 1 plate on my left ankle. I've been really wanting the hardware out. It still hurts to our on a boot. Did that pain go away after the hardware comes out ?.
@@southbay281 I won’t know that until the sutures heal up honestly so I’ll tell you more once I know more
Thank you for sharing your story Rachael. Hope things are going well. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
How did you heal after the removal?
@@coffeecat086how are you now
Thanks chaps and I found your advice very useful and pragmatic. I have an old tibia metal plate and 5-odd screws which have been in for over 40 years and have not intention of having them removed if I can help it - though a TKR may not be easy. Whilst I am sure the older 'Doc' won't like me saying so, the combination of you two Doctors as the younger, enthusiastic and questioning Doc and the older, dry humoured, sage Doc works well (!).
Thanks so much Johnny. Truth be told we are pretty close in age and trained together. Good luck to you and stay safe. Thanks for watching and for subscribing if you did.
@@TalkingWithDocs really? I think you need to clarify what close in age means? You look say maybe 35yrs and he looks about 54yrs.
What year did you have the operation?
I had my clavicle pinned plated and the ligaments reconstructed 7 years ago … for 7 years I have not been able to lie on my left side / have suffered pain; not only that region but going into my neck/shoulder, too. I have had MRI for cervical issues … there are none, so I can only assume it’s the metal work.
I suffer from CRPS/RSD which is a risk as one of the Consultants I went to said I had this in the collarbone area. (However it is nowhere near like it is in my hand and ankle).
Concerned on what to do. 3rd surgeon I have seen said he will remove the plate (as one of the pins is going into arthritic bone opposite) and take out the AC joint and scale down the bone that has osteoarthritis in it)
At 59, I broke my ankle in 2015. its been a year and I am trying to make a decision on removal. My GP said exactly what you did, why go through surgery if its not bothering me. Thank you for confirming.
Glad we could help!
Talking With Docs I had acl hamstring surgery three and half years ago and I feel pain in tibia and couldn't walk more than 1mile .could you tell me what causes would be possible. no swelling just pain and little bit stiffness
Talking With Docs ...Hi I had hardware put in at l4/s1. My surgeon has opted to remove it as my disc at l3 has a problem but mri's are a problem because my hardware is effecting the pictures. My hardware has been in for 28 years.
Watching this because I'm looking at getting some plates removed. Had them in for 7 years, can't wait to get them out.
Good luck Korey. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Go for it, you will feel relief!
@@danielsonscott3038 got them out December 1st
What if you break the bone again while the hardware is in. And also i was given a metal rod and my doctor said that eventually it will just disappear into the arm. I have had two rods in my radius and ulna for 7 months and im about to have surgery to take them out in a few weeks
Hi DriftSlayer101. So if you break with hardware in place, you will break above or below it. The hardware will not disappear. Good luck with your surgery. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing if you did.
do you remove your metal plates and screws
have you remove your metal screws in ur ulna and radius
@@alfredthirdy9716 no not yet
@@alfredthirdy9716 because of covid it was delayed by a lot
Update: Great news! About seven months ago, I decided to have surgery to remove the screws and plate from my ankle to improve mobility and eliminate weather sensitivity. I'm so glad I did because now I no longer feel like I'm carrying this extra weight, and I can walk just as I did before, including fast when heading for a bus! One reason (but not the only one!) I decided to go through with this was reading the real-life comments on this site from people who had it done. I also knew two people who had the surgery and three who didn’t, mainly because their doctors didn't offer it as an option. By the way, I had an excellent surgeon (Northwestern) whom I trusted completely. Best of all he respected my wishes and didn't try to talk me out of it.
That is awesome. Congrats!
May I will feel pain when my plates were removed from my arm
Hi Ahsan. It will be painful for a couple of weeks typically. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did.
A lot of pain or little pain that I can handle
Like a few other comments here, I had plates and a few screws removed from my ankle one year after the original fracture. As an active 26 year old I couldn’t imagine living the rest of my life with foreign objects in my body. The risks with surgery were negligible in my mind. Only 3 weeks later and my mobility feels so much better. But everybody’s case is different
What kind of fracture did you have? I just had surgery from a trimal fracture two days ago, so I know I’m getting ahead of myself thinking about removal already. But I’m 28 and feel similarly too young to keep hardware in my ankle.
@ it was a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle with some aitfl (ligament) damage. So the joint was popped back into place and I had ORIF surgery. Still managing but feels good now. Good luck with your rehab
Is there a chance I can get a minimally invasive removal l4/5
Hi Dinelie. Thanks for the question. It depends on the hardware you have in place and would best be discussed with your treating surgeon. Thanks for watching.
Hi dr i am from nepal
Please please suggest me
I had surgery 15 years before because of my humarus fractured so i had 2 screws and two wires in it. I am planning to removed it so I would like to know i am doing right or wrong please share your experience and thoughts thanks
Hi, I am a young adult and live in the UK, I am due to have this removal surgery soon, I am quite accustomed to the whole process as I have been though it before with my other wrist which was removed 2 years after initial surgery, my backstory with my condition/surgery was I have underwent major bilateral corrective osteotomy of both wrists which required me to have a prolonged hospitalization after....., for this removal surgery I have been apprehensive about the whole thing this time around cause of the hardware has been in for longer 8 years and I now have to contend with a health condition of factor 7 difficency hemophillia, this will be my first surgery with this condition so I dont know what to expect or what the experience will be like......, also both of those things could pose significant complications with the removal and of course after postop, going with my previous surgeries I have alway had to be admitted and prolongly hospitalized - days+ due to complications from the recovery room and stay on the ward as my experiences have always been a tough ride......, I think I am ready for it but am apprehensive due to now having the factor 7 condtion and the not knowing, but apparently my ortho consultant surgeon said there will be stuff in place and think they will be extra cautious......., another thing is that its ment to be a day case under general anesthesic with possibly a overnight stay, but going from my other experiences nothing is ever simple with me and I require to be admitted to a inpatient ward after....
Best of luck Teegan. They will be prepared for you. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Hey! I've been struggling with this question (whether ir not to remove my hardware ) because i had a scoliosis correction surgery 8 years ago, when i was 14. Since the last year my scar has been infecting on and off, to the point that, when it heals, it forms a depression on the skin. I wonder that, if i do proceed with the removal, how are holes the vertebrae supposed to heal ? Is there any bone density loss after the removal? Will i be able to continue weightlifting sports?
Would love if someone could advise me and answer my doubts.
Thank you!
Talking With Docs please respond to this question.
Anything about Removal they don't want to talk to you about. How else do they make money if you're well and never depend on medications! I took mine out regardless and I feel great! You're the person in pain. Doctors won't know how it feel unless they are the patients period.
Do what makes you feel good now...tomorrow may never come!
@@Dounjikootsvet your comment is so on point, I broke my ankle in 3 parts and I've got a lot of metal work that I want removing. It's so painful and as I'm quite slim it's very prominent and it's such a struggle to sleep or even go about my day. The problem is the Dr is only wanting to remove part of it and not all at once. I'm pushing for it all to be removed at once or if he doesn't agree to get refered to the hosiptal I got treated (which is not local to me as it happened in a diff city). It's so hard to persuade them But I'm going to keep fighting and not give up. At the end of the day like you said how will the Dr know the full effects, it's we as individuals who have to go through the agony and stress 😣.
@@Dounjikootsvet where is your hardware remove
LOL.. for rest of you.. To date I have a plate in my neck, my knee, my right arm, a rod full lenght of femur and one into my hip. I have had none removed. For the beating I have taken joints work damn good. So no worries about leaving them in.. side note.. there are good orthos and bad ones.. Shop around and dont be shy! Ask questions. Sometimes its just a doctor you dont get along with personality wise. But it means Tons when you love and trust your doctor. Ask Questions, and shop! if possible.
Hi bmnco. Thanks for sharing. We totally agree. Leave it in if you can. And try and find a doctor you like and trust - not every pair is meant to be. Thanks for watching.
wow what a strong words.. whats your age sir?? and how long already the metal plates in your body.? seems you find a great ortho.!
Hi I broke my hips when I was 16 now I m 26 years old and my legs is so much hurt when it’s cold when I walk and get tired and making me hitch if I will remove plates am I gonna be alright ?
Yeah that happens with me too.
I had an ankle surgery with a plate and screws. Whenever I ride a bike or it becomes so cold outside it starts to hurt.
I don't know what to do!
Remove them it will be fixed my cousin had the same issue. After removing the plates it stopped hurting
@@wg_gamer8496 on 7th January this month I got them removed.
Now my cuts are healing.
I didn't took a step from 7th January.
Now I'm trying to walk.
But whenever I put whole weight it feels like my ankle is electrocuted.
It's a scary sensation@@
I broke my tib and fib in 1999 , I had a plate put in 2000. Off course it hurts occasionally in wet or cold weather. Used to it now. But I doubt these are genuine medical consultants. A dr will never advice a plate removal
@@bessallin459 Now I can walk properly.
It's more than a month my implants get removed.
Walk properly but hurt a little if I do lot's of work standing
Getting my plate and pins taken out tomorrow. 3 and a half years I been waiting. I a bit nervous about it but they need out. Thanks for your words. 😁😻
You can do it!
I in recovery now at home. Crps is kicking in though. And is so sore. Thanks for getting back to me. Xx much love too you both.
How are you getting on since the removal, and where was the metal work in your body? Hope it went well@@shellyauger452
Does the screws get loose?
Can i go to gym while having hardware in forarms?
(Im not removing my plates and screws.)
Hi Athuljith S. So they will probably not get loose. And yes you can go to the gym. Hope that helps. Good luck. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing if you did.
@@TalkingWithDocs I’m 15 I fell 40ft and I’ve broken my spinal cord, pelvis bone and back bone they put in screws, plates and rods in my back and I healed up in 1 month but to be exact 3 weeks with no physical therapy thanks for the tips :)
@@kartiyaee5589 does the screws plates fell your back or you are good to do your normal activities
I had my second knee surgery last July and had hardware replaced and a plate and 11 screws put in. The screw near the bottom on my knee cap never bothered me as much after my first surgery as it does now. It’s a lot more sensitive, and I can feel the screw head under my skin. My plate also has been causing me lots of issues, and I’m trying to figure out if I should get everything removed or not. My surgeon isn’t very…people oriented it seems, so he never really goes into detail about anything and kind of brushes off the questions I ask about it.
Hi Marilyn. Maybe a second opinion? Best of luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Is it necessary to remove my screw? I had dynamic hip screw on March 3 2018 my bone healed but im afraid about removal of this due to long recovery and if it is necessary when to remove.
Hi Peter. The vast majority of hardware can remain in place. The main indication for removal would be local pain or if the screw was doing damage to the joint. Good idea to discuss this with your surgeon but they usually stay in. Thanks for watching.
Did they removed your hip screw? What's the update?
I had a surgery to remove a humerus plate (with 6 screws) 1 month ago, and definitely it was the best decision I could made, i couldn´t workout or lift heavy things because I felt pain, without a doubt I recommend this kind of surgery, it´s impossible to have a normal life with hardware in your body (in my experience of course)
Hi Carlos. Glad it worked out for you. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did.
@@TalkingWithDocs I did! Excellent videos and information, congratulations!
Greetings from Argentina👍
@Ek Pari Pagal Si Hi! Yess, all the pain and discomfort has gone, now I can do push ups and other stuffs (with the plate I couldn’t do it)
@Ek Pari Pagal Si definitely my operated arm is less strong than the other one, but I am working on it with exercises, I no longer have nerve pain as before
Hello sir I'm very nervous, I have plate in my skull because of blood clot and now when I touch my head I can feel the screw is it OK sir?
Because I don't want do that all over again... Please reply doc
Hi Srishti. So prominent hardware is common. If it hurts, you can see your surgeon to discuss removal. Hope that answers your question. Sorry for the delayed response. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did.
I was hit by a car while on a scooter in Canada recently. Tibial plateau fracture, acetabulum fracture, and hip dislocation, and a small radial head fracture on my arm all left side of body. I am 3 weeks in, already noticing lower back pain and soreness around the area of incision/hip. Non weight bearing on left leg for 8 weeks total, so I can’t really tell how my walking will be yet with both feet. Already hopping 150 ft with a walker and doing much better because of ortho rehab inpatient. 2 week CTs showing osteoarthritis. I’m 25 with previous history of joint pain, arthritis, and sciatica. Hoping the pain subsides more eventually, but for 3 weeks I’ve made awesome progress!
Wow that’s a lot. Best of luck to you during your recovery. Thanks for watching and subscribing
thanks for reply
Welcome VK. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Thanks a lot for a great video-post. I'm not sure if it's the right place to ask, but in case it is, I will really appreciate a pointer to article/study with regard to pros and con's of removal of one of screws following the intertrochanteric hip fracture. I found articles that studied 390 people, but I'm looking for a study with bigger number of parameters: factors like age, gender, presence of metabolic malfunctions like diabetics, number of fracture peaces (multiple peaces), number of screws in the head of femur, places that screw went out of the femur head, number of weeks that took to the screw to went out following the fixation surgery. In particular, I want to understand the influence of above factors in terms of a possible damage to the joint due to the outstanding part of the screw that 'scrubs' the joint (whether the damage is recoverable or unrecoverable). And also in terms of construction, meaning the influence of the screw removal on the construction strength (given an unhealed bone in a timeline of several weeks after the fixation surgery).
Hi David. All cases are different however if there is a screw in contact with a joint surface that cartilage will be destroyed at a rate that depends on the amount of contact and movement at that location. The damage is irreversible. If the screw is removed before the bone is healed, the bone may not heal depending on the rest of the construct. If the bone doesn't heal, all of the hardware will eventually break. For that reason, if you have to have screws removed before the bone is healed, the hardware is often replaced with new hardware in a different position. Hope that answers your question.
Crystal clear. Many thanks!!!
I had pelvic reconstruction almost 17yrs ago...I asked if the metal is taken out, they told me they do enough nerve damage going in the first time, they don't go back in, I pointed out that a screw protrudes out the bottom, they said "well, that shouldn't bother you unless you're riding a bike or something". I am not happy, in fact, it has been a real pain in the butt.
Hi Jason. Often the screw will not cause problems. And there is very real risk in removing the screw. If you can live with it we recommend to keep hardware in place. Good luck. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
I'm Fennie from Philippines and I'm currently suffering a tibial plateau fracture and I'm still waiting to be operated. It's been more than 2 weeks since the accident happened and when the time I rushed to the hospital they get my x-ray two times because the one who assisted me said he didn't see any fracture on my x-ray the thing that keep it hurting is because your muscle is swelling, just wait for the final result of your x-ray 5-7 days for now I can't see fracture. So he just give me medicine for swelling and pain reliever and released me and said I can go home. On the 7th day of waiting the final result of my x-ray, the ortho Doctor said that I have a tibial plateau. We're so devastated to hear that because we thought there's no problem and we found out that the doctor who declared I have no fracture was not a doctor, he's a nurse. And now I'm still waiting to be admitted because the hospitals here won't cater me because it's been more than two weeks and I'm out patient it's not emergency they said and they don't give me referral slip when infact it's not our fault why I'm stuck here with a broken bone for more than two weeks now😭😭😭😭 I'm worried about what will happen to me since it's been more than 2 weeks I got my broken knee. I'm concerned about the risk.
Hi Fennie. So often fractures will be fixed with some delay. Usually this is not a problem. Every fracture is different. It is frustrating for patients to wait though. We wish you the best of luck. Stay safe. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did.
Thank you so much it helps me feel relieve.
Context: #5 metatarsal Spiral fracture on the shaft. Surgery was on May 12. A plate with 8 screws. On 08/07, at the 3rd post-op, the doctor said it healed so well that there were no indications a fracture occurred. Why wait a year or two to remove the hardware?
Very good and interesting to hear guys! As i am nearly one year in to having spinal metal fixation, I am not sure whether to have it taken out or not. My consultant said that 10% of his patients get it taken out due to problems / issues. And although i still feel pain in my back he did say give it up to 18 months and for any nerve pain to heal. After that length of time its pretty much permanent, or so i am told...
Meant to say, im 32 years old. Do you think there'd be a risk of spinal instability getting the plates out? Or should the bones have healed well enough after a year?
Thanks, Harvey
Thank you! I had patella repair..2 screws and the wire.. I'm living fine with it in... Don't want to get my knee opened up again.
We agree if you don't need to Lackadaisical Wray! Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
I have three plates with screws in my right forearm. Ulnar and radius repair after a murder cycle accident.
This hardware has been there since 2009. I have no issues. The surgeon told me on a follow up visit that he "doesnt take the plates out".
So, I accept that.
We would tend to agree. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Hello, Doctors! I am impressed that you comment every single comment! Could you, please, answer my question? I just had ORIF calcaneus last week, and the screws and a plate on the outer side. How does the skin fix itself over the plate? Is it hanging lose, so I can pinch and pull it off? Does it attach itself to the heelbone through the remaining holes in the plate? Does it get discolored? Thank you.
2) can the bone grow over the plate causing ugly bumps?
So the skin will adhere to the plate somewhat. The bone may grow over the plate but not always. It can be prominent in this area. Hope that helps
I had a Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy with a plastic plate and 2 screws inserted 11 years ago. Part of the where I had the surgery is STILL numb after all this time. For the last few years, every time i stand up from sitting it feels like the plate is bending. Complaining about it made me feel like a big baby so I dealt with it, but now the pain is increasing. This video definitely helped me to try and find out where the pain could be.
In 2001 I had a plate/screws put in the lower left arm near the wrist from a break during hockey. I seemed okay until I re-jammed the wrist playing lacrosse in 2007 and it created a small bulge in the arm that was not there before (possible plate bending?) I went to the orthopedic doctor to ask about taking the plate/screws out and he gave the common sense answer, "I would not want to try to take hardware out and cause more damage. You re-injured your already injured arm/wrist. Physical Therapy for life." The bulk of the pain in the arm went away and I moved on. Not long after, I noticed my whole arm would turn purple while lifting weights or even holding lighter objects at a certain angel. Next, my shoulder/neck slowly started to become tight/pained/stiff-- eventually my jaw felt tight on that same left side and smiling symmetrically was hard. Even feeling like my left eye was being tugged down on. I saw a slew of doctors for thoracic outlet syndrome-- dye tests on my heart and ultra sounds-- MRI of my head for possible injury to the brian ect. They did not find anything and all thought I was crazy (except when I showed my arm turning purple by lifting weights in their office.) Is there any chance that this plate is pinching nerves in my arm/wrist affecting other parts of my body? To this day, my arm still turns purple lifting even a light object at an angel. If I grasp the injured area I can more easily crack my neck back into place and jaw tightness lessens. Massage helps to. I am not crazy, just suffering from unexplained pain. It is now 2018. Would anyone even want to take this plate out? I feel like any doctor would give the same common sense response, "Your wrist doesn't hurt, that injury would have nothing to do with your neck, I wouldn't want to take it out b/c it may injure you more." Any thoughts or insights on this are appreciated and thank you so much in advance!
Hi Tony. It is always difficult to answer specifically without examining you or reviewing your imaging but you make very valid points. It is unlikely that the plate would cause pain in your neck. Sometimes pathology in your neck can cause arm pain. Taking out the plate does carry some risk but the main reason to take it out would be issues localized to your wrist. The changing of color can be related to blood supply/drainage and can be a consequence of having surgery in that area. Hopefully that helps. Good luck.
Hi! I appreciate that you are answering people, that’s very considerate. I have a lisfranc fracture screws and plates, it’s been 6 months which is when I was told the plates would be removed but not the screws. Thanks to Covid this surgery is not happening. You both have suggesting longer wait times can be beneficial, is this so in a lisfranc fracture. I’m still experiencing pain and numbness but am healing slowly all over my foot except where the metalware is. The pain in this section doesn’t change much. I have very little cushioning in this area and am for a lack of a better word- bony 😂 I rather hoped that metalware removal would help because this is what seems to be inhibiting my walking most. And I used to like walking. The broken Tib and fib on the other side certainly don’t help that though. I know it’s it’s a complex injury and everyone heals differently, if they heal so I realise it’s probably not black and white. But for particular injury are there pros/cons to getting the metalware out sooner rather than later? Thanks!
Hi Ryn. So yes everyone is different. A Lisfranc injury is a very serious one that can lead to permanent pain in some patients unrelated to the presence of hardware. There is little downside to waiting to have it out. Only time will tell if your pain will improve. If it did, you can leave it in. If there is a specific area that is sore, you can discuss this with your surgeon and try and correlate it to the hardware if something is particularly prominent. Sorry to hear about your injury and hopefully you are able to get back walking! Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did.
Talking With Docs thanks! The hardware is exactly where I’m having difficulties with pain and movement, 2 plates and 3 or 4 screws, I did a lot of damage and the plates are extremely prominent. But it’s good to know that it won’t get worse the longer they are even if it might not get better. And yes I’ve read enough to know some people never heal properly and some do and that it will probably be at least a year before I get an idea about that. Appreciate the info.
Two years ago I broke and shattered my left femur while hurrying down my carpeted stairs. also broke the left wrist. A steel rod and screws were used. Next week I will visit my orthopedic surgeon to see if the bone has healed enough to remove the rod and screws.. I work hard every day to heal the bone. The leg hurts after sleeping and several time during the day. I've used Doterra Deep Blue Rub every day since which helps. I am 80 years old otherwise in excellent health. Would you suggest removing the plate. It is my dream to have it done with some reservations. Thank you for you help.
Hi janie. Do you have a plate or a rod in your femur? Either way, it is important for you to discuss with your surgeon whether or not they think that your pain is coming from your hardware. Sometimes after surgery people have pain related to the initial injury and removing hardware may not alter this. You just don't want to be exposed to the risks of surgery if the chances of improving your pain are low. Hope that helps.
I just had the hardware (rod & 3 screws taken out supporting my femur 2 days ago after being in 32½ years by Dr. P. Murray who put it in all those years ago!! I only wish I brought crutches or a walker instead of a cane that I thought I only needed. Always like the videos you Drs upload! Thank you!
Nice Ivan. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I have an ankle injury and this was super helpful. For something so short, sure was informative!
That is great to hear! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Hi I’m glad I came across this video, I have been having excruciating pain in the ankle with metal plates and screws , surgery was 4 years ago, I just had X-rays done it shows the bone has healed,The pain is on the outer side of the ankle , and shoots up pain where I can’t sit , bend or walk, as the pain on the lower leg is intense, I had an MRI to check for sciatica, doctor said there is some bone lose very minor and maybe the nerve is making contact with bone, but I am not sure it’s sciatica as the pain starts where the plate is, just wanted to know if you have ever heard of that type of pain from ankle plates. Thank you so much for anything you can say.
I had surgery 4 weeks back. Same I have plate with 5 screws . I m age 28 . Can I know what is your age now . U told that ur bone was total healed right. So u can remove your plate . What your doctor total on this?
Hi just to put some people at ease ! I had titanium plates to repair fractures to the left radius and ulna more than 38 years ago . Although I have lost some rotational movement maybe 20% and some muscle loss due I think to the length of time getting the bones to heal approx 2years of failed operations , eventually had a bone graft wich was successful.as time as gone by I have never contamplated having them removed.i can honestly say I never have had any problems.
Hi Tony. That's awesome and thanks for sharing your experience. Most hardware can stay in place and the majority of issues that people have after a fracture are likely related to the injury rather than the hardware. Having said that if people have severe pain or restriction they should always see their doctor. Thanks for watching.
did the hardware affect the growth?
Yeah I had a car accident like a year ago And I had to have some hardware put in And my spine was healed after a few months And I decided to have it removed the moment I found out it was fully healed Mainly because arthritis runs very high in my family Especially in the joints and spinal cord area And I did not want to risk it So I had my hardware removed and i several exercises to rebuild my strength And then I was fully recovered But do take it easy guys and when you're rebuilding your strength do not overdue it You do not want to reinjure the same area
Thanks for sharing Anthony
Hello how you are doing now
Boy oh boy are they right if you don't have to take it out you should never take it out. Just recently I went in for surgery because my fibula was fractured. During the operation I woke up I didn't feel pain but I woke up and I remember it. Then when they were finished they went to bring me out of the anesthesia I was violet. Biting the tube and it took 10 people to hold me in place they tied down my hands and my legs. Then they put me on a ventilator tube down my throat. I woke up during that a couple times finally after two days of being in the ICU on a ventilator they took it out and moved me to a different part of the hospital. That was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life being stuck on a ventilator not being able to move my hands or my feet I could talk and hear myself but nobody else could hear me there's no way snowball's chance in hell am I going in for surgery for anyting
Hi Jeff. Glad you are ok. Thanks for sharing your story. We agree - leave it in if you can. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did.
had a humerus shaft fracture and did open reduction internal fixation (titanium plate and 8 screws). Surgery went extremely well, so much to the point that my physiotherapist was surprised that I had no pain post surgery compared to other patients he's seen. The healing process was smooth sailing. The arm has had full range of motion through physiotherapy and I'm considering just leaving the hardware inside my arm for life. I've seen majority of the comments about people removing their hardware, but are there any other people who have made the same decision as I did, and leaving it inside their body?
Yes usually it stays in. Thanks for watching and subscribing
i know im late , but im in the exact same situation like you, mobility is great and i think i leave the hardware in , as my doctors suggested
I'm a Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor and had an emergency operation done to my neck because my 2nd vertebrae was attacked and destroyed. 75% of my C2 vertebrae was eaten by the cancer. I had heap bone extract added to my neck during surgery. I have been living with a C1 through C3 and C4 fusion since December 2016 and in 2021 I discovered that one of the pins broke off. Ever since that I have been experiencing excruciating pain down both my arms and legs. I sometimes become lame in my arms and legs as well. I've gone to my surgeon and asked if they could remove it but they declined. I don't want to live like this anymore. It's been going on for almost a year now...
Hi The Violin Room. So sorry to hear this. It is possible that it may be too dangerous. Definitely worth a second opinion. Best of luck to you. Thanks for watching and subscribing
@@TalkingWithDocs thanks for the input. I'm seeing a neurologist this month about my issue. Not sure what will transpire from it but I'm being hopeful and positive.
My hardware, installed into my right leg in November of 2023, is causing me pain in my ankle and knee. X-rays show that the bones have recovered, so the surgeon agreed to remove the hardware. I'm going to go through it in four days
I had a compound fracture in my ankle back in 2010. 11 years later, I have a sore on my ankle I’ve had since 2016. It hurts sometimes, but I’m concerned. I went to the orthopedic doctor and he said it wasn’t a problem. I’m going to have insurance through my job and I’m going to have to get it out. I’m concerned about healing time.
Hi Florida. Depends on the location, the skin, etc but usually heals well. Good luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Did you get it removed? My sore was caused by a pin trying to work its way out. I saw the xtrays last week and hopefully they will take all the hardware out. I can see the head of the pin poking out of the sore.
Thank you both for this video. I had back surgeries and was in a lot of pain from the screws
Very welcome Traci
Hi Docs! Thank you so much for posting this video and for taking the time to help out everyone through the comments. I had an ulnar shortening osteotomy post distal radius/ulnar styloid fx earlier this summer. Everything seemed to be going well post-op until I hit the 8 week mark and had a big increase in my activities and started to do a lot more with my arms. After about a week of increased activity I got pretty bad tendinitis (suspected) over the surgical site and ecu tendon. The skin surrounding my scar and over the distal ulna is now numb. I'm 18 years old and am striving to be a surgeon in my future, so I'm a little concerned about long term effects from this, considering I want to be using full dexterity of my hands in the future. I definitely will be talking to my surgeon about it but I came across this video and would like to get your advice if you have the time. Do you have any ideas why the area over the incision is suddenly numb?
Hi Olivia. So there are superficial sensory nerves in that area that can be irritated with the plate and activity. Removal around one year is not unreasonable. Best of luck with your surgical pursuits! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Just had a plate and seven screws removed from my elbow after nine months. The recovery is a breeze compared to
my initial surgery. I'm pretty thin so I could literally see the shape of the plate under my skin! I already had recovered
about 95% of my ROM after physical therapy. Hoping now to push it back to 100%. My surgeon gave me my hardware
to keep. So weird to think all that was in my elbow!
Good luck with physio Betsy. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Hi Betsy, would you mind sharing how many weeks you had cast on around elbow area? My son (12 yrs old) just removed hardware (olecranon fracture) after 9 month from initial surgery, the cast will be 4-5 weeks. Do you have more range of motion after removing cast? Thank you.
@@TalkingWithDocs Hi Doctor, May I please have a question: my son (12 yrs old) got serious injuries to the humerus and elbow 9 months ago. There are plate and 6 screws around humerus (bottom area very closed to elbow), the hardware was bent for 13-15 degree after initial surgery, is it safe to keep the hardware in the humerus? Thank you.
@@fangcaocoming I didn't have a cast after the hardware removal, just a large bandage for about 4 days.
My range of motion has improved in the six weeks since the hardware removal. My elbow is feeling less confined.
@@betsyrapp5712 Thanks for your quick response. Not sure why my son had a cast on for 5 weeks, I just worried if it will affect the range of motion? Before hardware removal, the range of motion was 80%, OT said it may be because of the hardware , is your hardware removal for the olecranon as well. Thanks again.
First of all, I love your videos and I'm amazed you take the time to answer all the questions. I broke my wrist almost 2 yrs ago and had the hardware removed and a neuroma fixed 7 months later. I was still in pain but managed to be basically pain free about 5 months later with OT for 4 months. Then the only thing I can think of is one day I kept flexing my wrist back and forth all day (felt tight, like I was stretching the scar) and set off ongoing pain (except while asleep). I have gone for EPAT, Graston technique, acupuncture, cold laser, and more physical therapy . Went to a highly regarded ortho at HSS in NYC..more x-rays and I brought MRI and ultrasound reports. Really no definitive answer or problem seen. Is there a way to know if there is a nerve stuck in scar tissue? I am in such pain...still wondering if constantly flexing back and forth is aggravating the issue. Dr. is putting me on gabapentin and MORE OT. He said he would really try to avoid more surgery. I am having a hard time with this pain. How much does your mind and anxiety play into this problem? Sorry I hit you with so much but I respect your opinion. I am the type of person who likes to know exactly what is causing the problem. I have no tingling,zapping, numbness but some sensitivity by scar. Thank you in advance!
Hi Doreen. So it could be the nerve. Usually you would have other symptoms. Gabapentin may help this. Sometimes a nerve conduction study can help. Wishing you the best of luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I fractured my clavicle 6 months ago playing ice hockey. Had orif of clavicle. 6 months later still a lot of pain in my shoulder and cant push lift anything over 5lbs or overhead reach. My shoulder specialist wants an mri. Ive tried 3 times different mri machines and the radiologist and have cancelled it because they said too much metal on my clavicle the magnet of mri machine will cause issues and pain for me during mri. So now my doctor wants to remove the hardware. Then once healed do mri to see if there is a labrum tear to repair. Im not sure what to do. I have a job that involves heavy lifting and ive been off for 6 months. I just want my life back.
Hi Kyle. It’s tricky for sure. If they think the bone is healed hardware removal will allow a useful MRI to be done to assess your shoulder properly. It is rare to have both injuries but sounds like something is going on. It may be labrum or rotator cuff. Best of luck
I had hardware removed from my elbow. It was a success and is more comfortable now.
Amazing combination, 2 people with sLightly different opinions, and both are right , and no hesitation to show that, that's how it is in medicine
Hi Doctor Sai. We are not sure if you are being genuine or sarcastic. Did you like the video or not?
@@TalkingWithDocs I geniunly likes your videos, my mom's (78) with severe pulmonary edema, and struggling with life. So no time for me to be sarcastic
I had an L5/S1 fusion almost 4yrs ago....for the last 3.5yrs it has been causing pain worse than before I had surgery (I had a broad based grade 4 annular tear, spondylosis, and evidence of a previous fracture on the r pedicle from an accident I had in my youth). My pain management doc says it needs to come out, he's more than fairly certain it's the metal...I can't find a surgeon who is willing to do it. Surgeon who put it in says the pain is all in my head and refuses to even see me anymore...very cocky and offended that I even dare to say his work isn't needed anymore. The fuse is solid...I don't need the metal anymore. I'm at my wits end.
Hi Jennifer. Sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time - especially that your treating surgeon will not hear your complaints. Symptomatic hardware can be complicated especially at the base of the spine. It certainly could be the cause of your pain. And yes, often surgeons will not want to take out someone else's hardware. You would have to ask around until someone says yes unfortunately. Good luck.
@@TalkingWithDocs UPDATE!!!
In 2020, I found out that I am also allergic to wheat and yeast, and the metal was making the allergic response worse (had to keep an epi pen with me at all times, and started undergoing allergy shots).
I finally got the hardware removed on 8/25/2021!!! I found a surgeon unbothered by who installed it, and easily agreed to remove it. He was surgeon #25 consulted (all of the rest wished me luck when they learned of who the installing surgeon was since he had since been promoted to chief of staff/chief of medicine for a large hospital system here in Houston…they were all afraid to get blacklisted by him).
On 9/5/21, I went septic. 9 days inpatient, I went home, underwent 21 ketamine infusions, and lumbar bases chronic pain disappeared.
12/2022, found out that I had a 5mm herniation at C5/C6, and had an urgent ACDF 1/3/2023 by the same surgeon who removed the lumbar hardware, but he made a note in my file that it needed to be removed at 6 months…I’m going for pre-op to have it removed this week. I’m also looking for a general surgeon to remove my gallbladder clips, and will be undergoing chelation and more ketamine treatments once all metal is removed from my body).
Never take no for an answer if you know that something is wrong!
I had an ORIF after breaking and dislocating my ankle two years ago. Since then I’ve had multiple internal infections around the top of the plate which makes it extra tender, hot and swollen - and the screw on the bottom of the plate can be seen pressing under my skin which is uncomfortable. I’ve got an appt with my ortho surgeon tomorrow to potentially have it removed!!
Well good luck to you Phoebe! Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did
Thanks for sharing that, did you end up getting them removed?
@@user-wb2yv7ll9d yes, wow. Best decision I ever made. It’s like I never had a problem in the first place!! AND it took no time to heal!
@@wibblywibble Thanks for sharing your experience. It's so great to hear you're doing so well. How quickly did it heal? A few weeks? Did you have bimalleolar ORIF?
this is so helpful! I broke my fibula & talus, and I have screws and plates.. It's scary to know I have metal but this helps! thank you!
Glad we could help Lise.
My body is plates, screw, rods.. lol no worries! I still ski, ride, rock climb.. you good!
I too had talus surgery, could you please share with me how you feeling now?
Hii Lise....i m from India...i too had broken my talus n tibia just two months back...i had surgery now cast is removed...how long it takes to recover from it.
There are allergy tests. Why don’t they use them ? I believe I developed “metallosis” after getting surgery for broken upper left leg. following that surgery. 8/13/2023, I became anemic and developed several PE. Underwent surgery for blood thinner.
When my right femur was repaired back in 1965, the rod that was inserted (an SMO 404 12x58) seemed to move up beyond the top of the femur, after about a year, and caused me great pain when I flexed my hip.. so I had the rod replaced with a shorter version (an OEC 11.3x42). After a few more years I was nervous about having the "rebar" in my thigh (thinking that a big hit to my femur would fracture my knee or my hip, which would be a bigger problem) I elected to remove the second rod. Now I have a pair of stainless steel windchimes!! Your thoughts?? Thx as always!!
Hi Pete. Removal is always a personal choice. Sounds like it worked out. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I;ve listened to this video several times before deciding to remove my clavicle plate. These types of videos never give you assurance of what to do. I think Orthopedics should bring in people of all types of breaks/ages/levels to tell how they felt before and after. They really discouraged me for several years until I removed mine in January 2018. It was put in in september 2007.
Here is my story:
Depending on the break, the plate should be removed. Even if your doctor placed the plate out of the way so that you could do "normal" activities. I say normal because, it will never be 100 % if you had a break like mine. I was 18, football injury, someone dropped me on the left shoulder. Midshaft, compound fracture, meaning it broke in the middle in two spots. Painful. Plate was placed in with 7 screws laterally, and 2 screws at angles from the topside. Wire wrapped around plate to begin healing. All was well until a year after. I was experience craking in popping when I would move much shoulders up and roll them back during normal day activities. I could never fully return to my max bench press, wasn't a lot before but I could not press 150 lbs without fear of breaking something. 10 years go by. I went to another ortho and he said he could aliviate 80-90% of the pain and problems I stated above. It always felt weak and when doing anything physical, mixing concrete, holding grocery bags (heavy), always felt like there was tension and I could feel where the plate wasn't moving but the rest of my anatomy was (bones, muscles, tissue, nerves were alwasy getting pinched or flicked like a tendon). So, long story short, he was able to remove the plate but had to leave two screws and some wire because of the calcification. After about 4 weeks, I state 4 weeks because that is probably when my bruising and wound healed up completely. Yes, there is some sensitivity and no sensitivity in that area post clavicle plate and after plate removal. i don't think I will every regain that feeling around the scar area 3x3 inch area. After that 4 week period, I began strengthening my arm and could put pressure on it without fear of breaking. I drank whole milk during that time so I could get as much Vit D as possible without worry. Fastforward 2022, I can do just about anything and I have fell down in the snow, played basketball and wrestle with my kids jumping on me. I still feel week and just need to get back in shape mostly. I just hate hurting and get tired easily, always have since the injury in 2007. I don't experience my arm falling asleep or get tingly when working overhead, not like it used to. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
I do disagree with their timeline. It doesn't seem like they care to want to take hardware out of your body. It was painful during cold and warm season changes and it was agrivating in the mornings. I would get excuses from the doctors that that is just the way it was going to be. My belief is if they can put it in, they can take it out once the bone is healed. It isn't weaker after a break, it is calcified and in some cases stronger. Hardware removal leaves holes, but that shouldn't be something to fear. Just be careful for a few weeks and intake as much food that contains calcium or higher levels. I was 29 when it was taken out. My metabolism was slower but it was a relief. I can sleep on that side without waking up in the middle of the night or next moring cracking and popping.
Thanks for sharing. Glad it all worked out for you. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Hello Doctors, thank you for your prior response & kind words. It's been decided by my diabetic brother's doctors that his metal plate & screws (reinforcing his comminuted upper humerus) should be removed permanently in a few days after it's been in for ~11 weeks, in order to try completely kill off the postoperative infection via IV. Do you have any commentary on how his arm might hold up without the metal & what we could do to keep it strong/safe? Thank you.
Hi Powerful Aura. Sorry to hear that but it is good to have a definitive plan. Hard to give specific advice without an examination and review of his imaging but they will likely provide him with a sling and possibly some type of brace or splint. Best of luck. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Tibia plateau fracture on July 9th 2018 with compartment syndrome and infection. 31 days in the hospital and 9 surgeries. Been living with 2 large plates and numerous screws. I still have knee pain and I am so tired of feeling like I am 80. I was outside trying to mow the lawn today and got 80% done and felt like I was going to collapse. it’s stiff in the morning and by night it’s usually soar. I still use ice around it still a year later about every other day. I don’t know if it’s the hardware or the leg itself. Not sure what to do. Just really tired of not being able to walk a long distance or even mowing my lawn.
Hi The VooDooMan. You suffered a very severe injury and it is typical to have ongoing pain after. It is important to be reassessed to make sure there has not been any hardware failure or recurrent infection. It is also common to develop arthritis after this type of injury. Ultimately you may require hardware removal and possibly a knee replacement. We can totally appreciate your frustration. Good luck and keep us posted. Thanks for watching.
Talking With Docs Thank you for the response. I did meet with my surgeon last week for the first time since February and he said the same thing as well and has decided to remove the hardware. He also stated that he was going to do some sort of scope to look at the knee joint and said that I was most likely looking at a knee replacement in 10 years or so. Not looking forward to surgery again even to get the equipment out, but if it will even help a little then I feel its worth it. The plan right now is to do the removal in November so I will update then. Thank you again!
Broke both my arms 3 years ago in a motorbike accident and had plate put in been in intense pain ever since up till this day now 3 years later been pushed forward to have the plate removed next week but this video cleared up a lot of worried and questions I was worried about so thank you !hopefully I recover and can finally not be in pain
Hope it helps!
Is there any updates on your pain?
My bf broke his femur almost 4 years ago and has a metal rod. It was kind of bothering him however now pain is getting more intense. He has an apt to get it removed in two weeks but we are still unsure if that will even help.
Had a left hip femoral acetabuloplasty april 17th for pain in hip/groin. Pain came back in 2019 and saw a hip replacement surgeon. Said most peoples femur should be 10 degrees forward. On my CT it showed left side at -16 degrees and right side at 5 degrees. He recommended a femoral osteotomy for left hip, which I had done November 5, 2019 and was inpatient after for 4 days. It was a cannulated plate and screws. Been in physical therapy since dec. 3rd and finish jan.30th. Was on crutches 30lb max weight bearing until dec. 16 appt with surgeon. Was then allowed full weight-bearing on leg, with both crutches, progressing to one crutch. Finally able to walk without crutches last week. At 3 month post-op visit jan. 20, 2020 finally released back to work at mcdonalds. At work I am a closer working back drive thru window-washing dishes. Should I be worried about anything at work?
Will i ever have to get my hardware removed, If I ever need hardware removed will surgery/recovery be as lengthy as when hardware was put in? Would i have to use crutches/do more physical therapy after removal surgery? How does a femur get femur rotated that much backwards? With the right side at 5 degrees will I ever have to do something to that side in the future?
Hi Janet. That is a lot of questions. First, congrats on your recovery thus far. The main reason for version abnormalities (or how much the femur is rotated) is related to position in the womb and genetics. You may or may not have to do something about the other side. Pain will be your guide. As for hardware removal, it will often be done at the time of a hip replacement or can be done as a staged procedure before hip replacement. Best to discuss all of these options with your treating surgeon. Recovery is easier as you do not have to allow the bone time to heal. Regular work should be ok. Let pain and common sense be your guide. Good luck and thanks for watching.
@@TalkingWithDocs on april 15th, 2021 getting the cannulated plate and screws removed from my hip/leg. Was starting to get pain on that side when sleeping on that hip. Also am getting popping sounds when laying on that side. Hopefully recovery is quicker than when femoral osteotomy was done. Still gets lots of pain in groin area and surgeon has no ideas on how to help that.
I had surgery to remove plate and screws from a fibula fracture because it was showing signs of possible infection. My surgeon also did arthroscopic surgery at the same time to remove a bone spur, scar tissue and repair ligaments. I was sent home in a splint. No pain after the surgery and very little swelling. Three days later I went in for the post op during which the splint was removed and the wounds were wrapped in gauze and a bandage. I was told to remain non-weightbearing (using a walker B/C the crutches didn't feel safe) and was told to wear the boot 24/7 except when sleeping. Within five hours of being in the boot I had pain, swelling and break-through bleeding. As of this writing I still have four days before stitches are removed. Just wondering why I need the boot if I am essentially non-weightbearing, and especially since it rubs against the tender site of the operation? Seems to be causing many more problems that helping in any way. I hope I will hear back from someone. Thanks...
Hi Rebecca. The boot is designed to support the bone after hardware removal. Our best advice is to wear a thick sock or add some padding to the tender area and hang on until the sutures are removed. Best of luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I had a MCP joint fusion in my right thumb due to pain from osteoarthritis combined with a fall onto my palm from a truck tailgate, K wires with a secured a figure 8 tension wire. Had to have them removed about 8 months later because the tendon to my thumb tip was rubbing across the top of it and limiting movement.
Hi Bobby. You have to be careful on the back of the truck!. Glad things sound like they worked out and often tension band hardware does have to be take out due to irritation of surrounding tissues.
My doctor recommended my plate to be removed. It's been nine months and pain and certain hand movements are a bummer. I am very happy about it. I can easily feel the screws in my forearm. As you gentlemen stated, my doctor wants to make sure whatever lingering pain is not being caused by the plate. I do have a question(s). Will another nerve block be in place for hardware removal and how long until returning to work. I know staples/ stitches are in for a good 2 weeks.
Hi Heather. There are numerous factors to consider. The majority of healing after injuries like these takes place in about a year. If you have ongoing pain there are many possible causes. The presence of hardware can be one of them and especially so if you can feel the screws. It is important to remember that you can still have some residual pain once the hardware is removed and occasionally new pain. Usually the healing after hardware removal is faster than when the bone(s) is broken. Typically two weeks for staples but generally 6 weeks for soft tissues to heal with physio. Returning to work depends on your job as well as the location of the hardware - usually 4-6 weeks. Regarding the nerve block, it depends on the center - sometimes it is done under a general anesthetic and sometimes with a nerve block. Hope that helps
Talking With Docs Thank you for responding. My hardware was removed yesterday. I was extremely nauseous afterwards. I believe the anesthesia caused this. The pain isn't as bad as when the hardware was put in place, but it still hurts. I do however still have a separate pain in my wrist. It pops. I will question that at my follow up.
@@Swim2life hi how do you feel now after 1year harwared removal? Do you lift heavy load on your arm?what about the screw hole they filled it?
Heather Borrego I am having this done on Friday after having the hardware in for 3 years. I’m nervous!!! I’ve been having pain and functional issues for the past few months and Dr. recommended to remove hardware because there is concern for tendon rupture. How are you doing post op?
@@mrs.salgado1811 We are so happy that you guys can help eachother out through a very similar experience! Hope the surgery went well.
Thank you for probing us these important information for those who just had surgery, you guys seem to be a knowledge teem
Doing our best Martha. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I just had mine removed, had it placed in January. it kept giving me a lot of pain, and when removed, there was a ton of scar tissue that had formed around it. It already feels a lot better, just have to wait on the holes to heal.
I still had mine on me...thinking about to get it out too..but too scared ..and keep on thought if i took it out ..my bone will become weak....btw what your surgeon says after you hv yours out?? It took how many month to heals again after taken it out?
che ija I talked to the doctor, once they take it out, it may take up to a year for the screw holes to fill in. Yes, you’ll probably be back in a boot or a brace for a while, but so far, things have been better. Less pain, still a little stiffness, though.
@@lindawolffkashmir2768 thank you for sharing ..
Hi Linda. That is good to hear. Some hardware is prominent for sure depending on the location of your surgery. Best of luck in your recovery. Thanks for watching.
Hi che ija. So the bone should not be particularly weak for any prolonged period after removal. Like Linda said, the screw holes often slowly fill in with bone over time. Good luck with your decision and thanks for watching.
I am scheduled to have the hardware from a humeral head/neck commuted nearly a year ago. It has been postponed due to the spike in Covid. I can feel the hardware just under the skin with clicking and popping. I have lost mobility recently (which is new symptom). I appreciated that wait and see up to 2 years is ok.
Good luck yellowmoon. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
I just had the plate insurted surgically and this has been the most horrible pain and recovery. I cannot imagine undergoing surgery AGAIN and have my wrist cut open and have the plates removed. What HELL this has been!!
Great video & channel Docs. I am 25 years old & fractured my elbow (olecranon) last October. So 6.5 months ago. I had a plate & screws put in that curves the corner of my elbow and is a “J “ shape. The surgery went quite well but I still seem to have quite some pain on the right side of olecranon (left arm) I feel that maybe getting the plate out could reduce this pain?? I play competitive golf and am trying to get back into weightlifting, but this always gives me some sort of pain when I do both. The hospital was Aurora St. Luke’s in WI. ANY insight would be greatly appreciated! & fantastic channel 👍
Thanks JAKE. So sometimes removing the plate can improve function. You just want to make sure that your pain is actually caused by the plate itself rather than being a consequence of the trauma and fracture of your elbow. Hope that helps. Best of luck. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing if you did.
Thank you gentlemen for your insight. I recently had an accident. I took a fall rock climbing and fractured my calcaneus. I currently have three screws and I have the option of getting them removed. My question is whether the gaps or holes left from the screws will heal properly crating new bone and fill the holes. I’ve read and researched and have had different opinions on whether the holes would heal properly or not and now I’m not sure if I should have them removed or leave them in because having the the hardware removed might give me a risk of re-injuring due to screw holes not healing. I would very much appreciate your opinion. Thanks you and God bless 🙏🏽
Hi Tony. So we usually recommend leaving them in unless they cause a specific problem. You will likely have some persistent pain due to having a fractured calcaneus. It can be a bad injury. Often the holes will fill in but it can take a long time. Worth a chat with your surgeon but we try to leave them in
Several years ago 2014 I had femur fractures from osteoporosis. I never fell
I had therapy few time I had them in both legs. After therapy I started to walk again I still wasn’t able to left my legs to walk up steps but I was doing chores around the house cooking and dishes and sweeping and mopping and laundry. 2016 I was not able too walk at all I’m in chronic pain I hate going anywhere anymore because I suffer just getting dressed and getting in and out of the car to the wheelchair
I am going to a pain clinic and I just got a pain pump in November. The Doctor say it’s still pretty low and it will take sometime fore it to be stronger enough where I’m not hurting so bad.
I was wondering when my rods and screws were put in if it caused my pelvis or sacrum to slightly shift. And that’s why I hurt and can’t walk. Is that possible? I’m 60 years old 5 ft. And 89 lbs because I get so it’s difficult to eat sometimes
Hi Joan. It is possible that your pelvis is tilted and there are many potential causes for this. One of them could be if your legs are different lengths which often can happen after femur fractures. Best to discuss this with your surgeon and potential options including a shoe lift to even you out. Hope that helps. Good luck and thanks for watching.
Talking With Docs thank u the surgeon is retired. I don’t know if shoes would help because I can’t stand up or walk. I am hoping that once my pain pump has enough rx and I don’t hurt so bad that therapy will help also. Thank you for answering
I watched a video of someone’s rod being removed. It’s scary I don’t think I would be able to get it out. I do have osteoporosis and in very thin. 5 feet 89 lbs. and being over 60.
Had ORIF for a lisfranc injury on my foot. Plate is in with 5 screws, which make certain pairs of shoes pretty painful. It sucks.
It can be tricky Gravy especially where there is not a lot of soft tissue coverage. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I went to my 12 week post op appt today. I spoke to my surgeon he's OK with me removing it. I can do it in 6 months and I seriously can't freaking wait. I hate that I can't sleep and I feel all of my hardware. It's uncomfortable 😫 and stiff . I know I'm early on. But it needs to go .
Had a L4/L5 fusion. Had hardware removed only to find out a fusion never occurred. The cage has to be removed now and a new one put in along with new hardware.
Hi Brooks. That is disappointing and frustrating for sure. All fusions have the possibility of non union. Hopefully you are not a smoker as this increases the chance of failure. Good luck with your new procedure. Thanks for watching.
@@TalkingWithDocs I was not a smoker, just one of the unlucky. The last surgeon also used BMP for the fusion and somehow it leaked out the cage and caused hetrotopic bone growth "bone spurs" that have to be removed along with the cage. My orginal surgery was just a PLIF, now its an ALIF and PLIF. My surgery is in 3 weeks! I do agree about the smoking, I belive it increases the chance of a non union by 40%.
I have 2 plates in right arm.
The one on the side I can feel it running my fingers along it. I can’t see it but can sure feel it and if in the sun it heats up.
The other plate doesn’t bother me.
I’m curious however is the pain about the same as getting it out as it was going in.
I like to listen to drs best advice.
Sadly the dr who did this surgery passed away last year to ask.
So yes pain is comparable however you don’t have the broken bone pain to deal with. There are some risks. Maybe talk to another local surgeon. Best of luck
@@TalkingWithDocs
Thank you for the answer. The pain with the plate on the side of my wrist hurt. I don’t want the same pain.
I do want to say thank you to both of you. I have a high respect for ortho drs!!