Hardware removal - extremity: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Surgeons use hardware such as pins, plates, or screws to help fix a broken bone or to correct an abnormality in a bone. Most often, this involves bones of the legs, arms, or spine.
P Later, if you have a lot of pain or other problems related to the hardware, you may have surgery to remove the hardware. This is called hardware removal surgery.

T Description
P For the procedure, you may be given medicine to numb the area (local anesthesia) while you are awake. Or you may be put to sleep so you do not feel anything during the surgery (general anesthesia).
P Monitors will keep track of your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing during the surgery.
P During the surgery, your surgeon may:
- Open the original incision or use new or longer incisions to remove hardware
- Remove any scar tissue that has formed over the hardware
- Remove the old hardware. Sometimes, new hardware may be put in its place.
P Depending on the reason for the surgery, you may have other procedures at the same time. Your surgeon may remove infected tissue if needed. If the bones have not healed, additional procedures may be done, such as a bone graft.    
P Your surgeon will close the incision with stitches, staples, or special glue. It will be covered with a bandage to help prevent infection.

T Why the Procedure is Performed
P There are several reasons why hardware is removed:
- Pain from the hardware
- Infection
- Allergic reaction to hardware
- To prevent problems with growing bones in young people
- Nerve damage
- Broken hardware
- Bones that did not heal and join properly
- You are young and your bones are still growing

T Risks
P Risks for any procedure that requires sedation are:
- Reactions to medicine
- Breathing problems
P Risks for any type of surgery include:
- Bleeding
- Blood clot
- Infection
P Risks for hardware removal surgery are:
- Infection
- Re-fracture of the bone
- Nerve damage

T Before the Procedure
P Before the surgery, you may have x-rays of the hardware. You also may need blood or urine tests.
P Always tell your health care provider what medicines, supplements, or herbs you take.
- You may be asked to stop taking certain medicines before your surgery.
- Ask your provider which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.
- If you smoke, try to stop. Smoking can slow healing.
- You may be asked not to drink or eat anything for 6 to 12 hours before surgery.

T After the Procedure
P You should have someone drive you home after the surgery.
P You will need to keep the area clean and dry. Your provider will give you instructions about wound care.
P Ask your provider when it is safe to put weight on or use your limb. How long it takes to recover depends on whether you have had other procedures, such as a bone graft. Ask your provider how long it may take to heal.

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P Most people have less pain and better function after hardware removal.

T References
P Baratz ME. Disorders of the forearm axis. In: Wolfe SW, Hotchkiss RN, Pederson WC, Kozin SH, Cohen MS, eds. Green's Operative Hand Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 21.
P Richter M, Kwon JY, DiGiovanni CW. Foot injuries. In: Browner BD, Jupiter JB, Krettek C, Anderson PA, eds. Skeletal Trauma: Basic Science, Management, and Reconstruction. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 67.
P Rudloff MI. Fractures of the lower extremity. In: Canale ST, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2013:chap 54.

T Review Date 9/22/2016
P Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

