Can an arm plate be removed due to discomfort?

Question

Hi doctor,

I had a fracture in my left arm seven years ago, and a plate was fixed in place. Is it possible or advisable to remove the plate now? Sometimes I feel discomfort when moving my hand in certain directions or while exercising. What are the potential disadvantages of removing the plate at this stage?

Please guide.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

It has been seven years since your plate was implanted. Sometimes, removing old plates can be challenging, and screws might break during the process. The ease of removal largely depends on the location of the plate.

Please provide an X-ray of the operated area of the bone. This X-ray will help us determine if the bone is ready for implant removal. It will also provide us with valuable information about the condition of the implant, specifically, whether it remains strong, has weakened, or has loosened, which could make removal easier.

Over such a long period, there is often bony overgrowth around the metal plate and screws. This overgrowth can complicate the removal process. Attempting to remove implants with surrounding overgrown bone or extra calcium deposits can sometimes lead to refractures, which occur when the bone breaks during the removal of the plate and screws.

In certain cases, the heads of the screws may break off during removal, leaving broken pieces embedded in the bone. For these reasons, it would be best if you could upload a recent X-ray of the implant.

I hope this information helps address your concerns.

Please feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.