Do I need to remove the screws after the bone heals?

I am 27 years old and had a broken bone due to a traffic accident. The doctor put screws and plates into the bone for treatment.

I want to ask if after the bone heals, do I need to remove the screws? ( Nguyen Hung, Vinh Long )

Reply:

Bone fixation devices include nails, splints, screws... usually made of stainless steel and coated with a layer of cobalt or titanium to avoid medical effects. These devices have the task of adjusting the two ends of the broken bone back to their original position, immobilizing it to help the bone heal faster and restore its original function. Therefore, after the bone heals, these devices have lost their effect and should be removed from the body.

Normally, for cases using small screws, it can be removed after 6 months and after 1 - 1.5 years for large screws, nails, plates or intramedullary nails. Patients should pay attention to return for check-ups on time to check the bone condition and remove the screws at the right time. Because if the device is removed too early, the bone damage has not completely healed, the patient is at risk of re-fracture after removing the screws. On the contrary, if removed too late, the calcium produced by the body will adhere tightly around the screws, making it difficult to remove the bone-fixing device and increasing the risk of bone fracture.

At the same time, patients may also face other health problems such as heavy metal contamination due to the metal materials of the bone fusion device dispersing and entering the body; feeling pain and discomfort when the weather turns cold because the screws are made of metal, and losing heat due to weather changes. In particular, in some cases, patients may be instructed to remove the bone fusion device if there is a phenomenon of pressure due to the screws, or pain, allergies appear...

After removing the bone fixation device, the patient can live and work normally. However, in cases where the screw brace is too long, with 10-15 screws inserted into the bone, it will take 2-3 months for the patient to be able to move vigorously again.

To speed up the recovery process, patients should pay attention to exercise and physical therapy under the guidance of medical professionals. In addition, increasing foods such as shrimp, crab, milk, eggs, vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C... also helps the recovery process.

MSc.MD.CKI Mai Hoang Duong
Orthopedic Trauma Center, Tam Anh General Hospital System

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