BLOG CONSOPHARMA

Orthopedic surgeons often use orthopedic titanium plates and a cancellous bone screw to repair a broken bone, and this facilitates proper healing and alignment of the bone. It is important to note that these implants do not aid in faster bone healing, but they help to keep the affected bone in the correct position until healing occurs.

Any orthopedic bone screws distributor will tell you that under normal circumstances plates and bone screws are designed to remain in the body forever as they are made from materials like titanium, stainless steel and bioabsorbable material that do not cause an allergic reaction in the body. However, there may be instances when it comes necessary to remove plates and bone screws.

Indications

Removal of bone screws and plates are not part of the routine fracture care. However, some orthopedists may give advice to patients to remove screws used to treat high ankle sprains before they put weight on the ankle. This being said, studies have shown that taking out the screws will not have an effect on the outcome when compared to leaving the screws in.

Removal of plates and bone screws may be the need of the hour if a person shows signs of metal irritation, pain and unnecessary pressure at the site. The specialist will determine whether the screws or plates are the cause of the problem, or there is another underlying cause.

Infection could be another reason to remove plates and bone screws. Usually, the best solution is to remove these implants as it can be a tall order to neutralize infection on metal plastic and ceramic. As a result, it could lead to the infection persisting.

Removal of Implants

When people develop an allergy to the bone screws and plates, it can irritate the surrounding soft and hard tissues. The person can get tendonitis, bursitis or local irritation. In such cases, the irritation can be alleviated by removing the implant.

It is prudent to note that the specialist cannot confirm that removing orthopedic titanium plates or a cancellous bone screw will get rid of the symptoms, but if the pain and discomfort is brought on by the implant, the chances of reduction of the pain are very high.

Orthopedic specialists have to weigh the pros and cons of removing bone screws and plates as the removal process is complex and fractures can occur right after the surgical removal of the implants, as the weakened bone can collapse into the drilled holes present in the bone. This is especially true for weight bearing bones, like the hip bone or the bones of the leg.