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Has anyone had hardware removal from their leg?

Posted by shellylynn34 @shellylynn34, Aug 2 6:39am

I had a double osteotomy and plates and screws put in for healing of the bones and now getting removed. I was wondering if anyone knows if it helps?

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pthilges | @pthilges | Aug 4 10:30am

I had a distal femoral osteotomy in 2012 (after 7 knee surgeries), ended up with 1 plate and 7 screws. I had all hardware removed less then a year after the surgery because my body was rejecting it. My new alignment held and my knee problems were gone. 13 years later and I'm still going great!

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Aug 5 5:49am
In reply to @afuller0688 "Yes I was 17 and in a car accident had a pin plate and four screws...." + (show)
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Yes I was 17 and in a car accident had a pin plate and four screws. That was in 1988. Doc took it all out the next spring break and had to use crutches for a few weeks but if I did not have the scares I would not know I ever broke it. He did say had we waited another six months he would have not been able to get it out .. the bone was growing up around it. I actually still have part of it. I would always say if you can have it removed do it. Amy

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Good advice.

Readers should be aware that as long as bone is healthy, surgeons will use a form of titanium, or other metal, designed so that the bone grows into the metal. It's freaky science but the outer edges of the titanium are microscopically porous and bone cells grow right into it.

Personally I think it's better to leave it that way. Not all titanium does this however so it's always best to check with your doc.

Finally, if a person has osteoporosis - bone loss - only cement can be used in attaching a metal prosthesis. The bone is no longer growing and has a very limited blood supply, if any, on the outside of the bone.

Joe

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Aug 9 6:25pm

@shellylynn34 I had my hardware removed from my ankle a year and a half after a bad fracture of the tibia and fibula. I had a lot of pain from the hardware like being kicked in the shins, it was developing pigment on the skin, and I was getting hives all over my body. Getting the hardware removed made all of that better. I do have to stretch out the scar tissue because it puts pressure on the joint and periodically tightens up. I’m glad I had it removed.

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shellylynn34 | @shellylynn34 | Aug 10 5:34pm

Thank you for the advice. I had the hardware removed and on the healing end of things. Thanks for all the stories and support. My leg is bruised pretty bad from surgery but as a whole In believe it was for the better

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