Removal of pins and other implants after surgery

Implants can be used for a variety of surgical procedures. An orthopedic surgeon may use implants to reconstruct a damaged joint, repair a broken bone, or change the skeletal alignment of your body.

Intramedullary rods, pins and other implants do not help bones heal faster. They help hold things in place while the body heals and are usually meant to stay in the body forever. However, there are cases where it may be necessary to remove metal plates and screws or other implants.

This article discusses the reasons why it may be appropriate to have these implants removed. It describes some symptoms that may indicate this, as well as potential benefits and risks of having the implant removed.

Reasons for implant removal

In most cases, implants can remain in your body without any harm. Their removal should never be considered part of “routine” care. However, there are exceptions. They tend to occur in a specific setting, such as ankle surgery, or due to pain, irritation or infection.

Combination Screws

Some health care providers will recommend its removal connectionist screws used for high ankle sprains. They intend for this to be done before a person is allowed to bear weight on the affected ankle. That said, most studies have found no difference in outcomes when comparing people whose screws were removed and those with screws left in place.

Contamination

Infection is a medical indication for implant removal. It is often difficult to treat a contamination that is in or on a non-organic surface. This happens with materials such as metal, ceramic or plastic. For this reason, removing the implant may offer the best opportunity to resolve an infection.

Metal irritation

Some people feel pain or pressure where an implant was placed. This can be one of the signs of metal irritation and can also lead to the removal of implants. Your healthcare provider should confirm if the screws are causing the problem or if there is another cause.

Minerals in some implant products can cause irritation to nearby tissues. This can lead to bursitis, joint inflammation or tendonitis, and other complications at the implant site. Removing the metal may be what is needed to treat the irritation.

While these don’t always mean there’s a problem, some signs of metal irritation are:

• Pain directly at the site of the metal implant
• Rubbing the metal implant under the skin
• Grinding sensations around the metal implant

It can be quite difficult to predict whether removing metal implants will improve symptoms. In people who have pain clearly caused by the implant, the likelihood of pain reduction is relatively high. If the pain is more generalized, it may be harder to tell if removal will work.

Removal of metal implants

The actual process of removing an implant is complex in itself. This is especially true for deep implants that have been in place for a long time. Fractures are known to occur immediately after surgical removal. This is because weakened bone collapses into the perforated spaces used for the implant. This is a notable concern in the leg or hip bones that have to bear body weight.

Any implant removal should never be taken lightly. There are surgical risks that may include:

• contamination
• nerve injury
• a reaction to anesthesia

Removing an implant can weaken the bone. It may also not work to reduce pain. Be sure to speak with an experienced orthopedic surgeon so you fully understand the benefits and risks, as well as any treatment alternatives that may be available.

Summary

The ability to help people heal from orthopedic injuries using various medical implants has provided many benefits. Sometimes, however, people report pain and irritation at the implant site. They may feel a crackling in the joint or irritation when the implant rubs under the skin.

In these cases, it may be best to remove the implants even though they were intended to remain in place. The removal itself requires more surgery and comes with its own risks, including infection. It’s also an option that doesn’t always work. Your healthcare provider should assess whether implant removal is likely to succeed.

A word from Verywell

If you have pins, screws, or other surgical implants, you and your healthcare team are likely hoping for success. This is the case in most cases, but not always. If you are discouraged by the results, talk to your orthopedist about your options. It may be possible or even necessary to remove the implant.