removal of hardware surgery

[Rhonda1952]

Im 6 months post op and will having pins and wires removed in a few months. Could someone whos been there and done that tell me whats involved and recovery time etc...thanks
rhonda1952

[Bo]

Hi Rhonda,

I had pins removed some time ago and although it was sore there was no real problems. In a matter of days I was doing what I had done before. This is not to say your recovery would be as  fast or subtle but you can all but keep your fingers crossed.
Also when i first went into hospital to have my leg and knee rebuilt there was a chap in having wire removed from his knee...it had been in for a couple of years and the growth around the wire caused them to dig considerably but he waited the obligitory 24 hrs and then drove his car home, (it was automatic).

My own pins had to be dug out but the result left me with alot less clicking and catching ligaments.

Hope this helps a little.

All the best

Bo

[Pat_A.E.]

I had pins and wiring removed 1/31/03.  It was done with an epidural.  I left the surgery center two hours later.  I was on crutches for three days, limited weight bearing.  The surgeon used the same incision as the first surgery, but about 3 inches shorter.  Within five days the improvement was noticable - less stiffness and pain across the knee.  After the staples were removed (10 days) I went back to PT and had no ROM loss and    within 1 week regained full ROM.  
I would recommend removal.  The proceedure is nothing compared to the first one.  Recovery was uneventful.  The only negative is the second incision site is not fading as well as the first.  I read a post recently that said her surgeon used a technique that prevents this from happening.  Small price to pay.