Anyone had screws removed?

**blue** · 10-17-2009, 10:28 PM

I always thought the screws where left in, and that the pins got removed.

**Grace** · 10-17-2009, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by blue

I always thought the screws where left in, and that the pins got removed.

I think it depends on where the screws/pins are. My plate and screws were on the lateral aspect of my ankle - right under the skin. I could feel the heads of the screws with my fingers.

The Orthopod who took them out was not the one who put them in. He said the majority of his patients had the hardware removed after about one year.

I still have the large screw in the back of my ankle - that would have been more trouble than it was worth to remove.

**blue** · 10-17-2009, 10:42 PM

My friends with pins and plates had them removed. The recruits I was with where looking at a lifetime with screws, my dad is looking at living with the screws in his hip.

These are all hip injuries however, so your injury is probably different.

**Grace** · 10-17-2009, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by blue

My friends with pins and plates had them removed. The recruits I was with where looking at a lifetime with screws, my dad is looking at living with the screws in his hip.

These are all hip injuries however, so your injury is probably different.

Yes, as I said, I think it depends upon where the screws/plates and pins are located. Hips are one thing, ankles another.

Did your dad break his hip or fracture his femur?

Orthopedic surgery is such fun. When I worked in the OR, I loved the bone cases. Like being in a carpenter shop

**caseysmom** · 10-17-2009, 10:58 PM

My doctor wants them out, I guess it depends on the injury and the screws. It does hurt a lot so I am hoping it helps when they come out.

I wait all day until I get home and have my vicodin, I haven't been able to have motrin for two weeks before the removal.

I really broke no bones my whole mid foot joint was dislocated.

**pomtzu** · 10-18-2009, 07:25 AM

I have an 8" rod and screws in my femur, from the hip fracture, and my hip and leg ache almost constantly. My ortho surgeon said they can come out after a couple of years if the x-rays look okay, but that would mean more surgery and general anesthesia. He says it hurts because I have no meat on my bones to cushion it, and if I put on some weight, it probably wouldn't bother me. I can't put on weight, so I guess I'll have to ache, because I'm not going thru any more surgery unnecessarily.

I have rods and screws the entire length of my cervical spine, but those have to stay in - or my head will fall off!!

They don't hurt tho.

**Pinot's Mom** · 10-18-2009, 07:54 PM

Sorry, I was away this weekend and didn't see this until now. Yes, I had a screw removed from my foot. I had tendon replacement surgery (posterior tibial tendon shattered); there was a screw (about 3-4") inserted into the back of my foot for support. It was never intended to stay in, only to be used for support until it was no longer needed - about a year and a half. Then it tends to get a little loose in the spot and it's uncomfortable. The removal was nothing; no big deal at all. I was glad to get rid of it, it interfered with shoes toward the end.