rileyroe
06-29-2004, 01:54 PM
HI....I had a double bunionectomy in January and have 2 permenant screws in wach foot. I was wondering if anyone is having any pain or problems with the permanent screws? I notice my feet are both sore at times, and my doctor thinks it may be the screws. Anyone else notice any problems?
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susieblueyes
06-29-2004, 08:37 PM
HI ,
Sorry to hear you're having problems again.
Sue
Sorry to hear you're having problems again.
Sue
rileyroe
06-29-2004, 11:38 PM
Thanks! How are you doing? I have read bits and pieces of what you have been going through and my heart breaks for you! My pain isn't awful and it isn't constant...so I am hoping it will eventually go away!! Wishful thinking....I know! i just can't imagine the thought of having my feet messed with again! We may be moving to a new city sometime in the next few months, so maybe then I will talk to another doctor...who knows. Regardless, the pain isn't bad enough for me to do anything right away! Let me know how you are!
squirrelmom
06-30-2004, 08:14 AM
My doctor told me that the screws were very easily removable, if they needed to be removed. Not that they're giving me any problems--I'm only 13 days postop. My understanding is that having the screws initially is very helpful to a faster, easier recovery (they hold the bones together tighter and more firmly than pins or a cast, allowing you to be weight bearing sooner and heal better). Once recovery is complete, in the unusual event they're irritating something inside the foot, the heads are located just below the skin and they can be removed with a very, very minor surgery. Nothing like the original bunionectomy! If you're upset at the idea of messing with the foot again, bear that in mind...it may be something as simple as an office visit for removal, and a day or so of recovery...have you asked your doctor for the details, and why he/she thinks it may be the screws that are the problem?
squirrelmom
06-30-2004, 08:35 AM
Hi again, I just did some googling on screw removal and according to one reputable study, about 7% of screws are removed postoperatively after the bones have fused; however, of these, the vast majority are removed solely due to patient and surgeon preference for not leaving permanent screws embedded. Less than 1% of all screws are removed because of problems, e.g., migration. When there has been screw migration, this shows up easily on x-ray...therefore, I'm wondering why your surgeon feels that your soreness is due to the screws, and whether there is any radiographic evidence to show the screws are causing the problem. It would be a shame to go through the removal procedure if this was not the cause of the soreness. Perhaps you need to clarify this with your surgeon, or seek a second opinion?
susieblueyes
06-30-2004, 09:10 AM
Hi Riley,
I'm not sure if you remember that I did have my screws removed back in March?That was done by my first Doctor that made a major mistake on my foot to begin with. The removal was terrible. I guess it all depends on the experience of the Doctor.My brother just had his screws removed and it was nothing.He said all he did was roll up his pants had local and he removed the screws as easy as that! AS for myself I'm fighting an infection on my other foot now. As soon as this foot heals I have to have more surgery to fix all the mess-ups that the first Doctor made on my right foot. :eek: If I had known that I was going to have all these problems I would have suffered through the bunions! Well, give your foot time and maybe you wont need any more surgery.
I hope all goes well for you :wave: Sue
I'm not sure if you remember that I did have my screws removed back in March?That was done by my first Doctor that made a major mistake on my foot to begin with. The removal was terrible. I guess it all depends on the experience of the Doctor.My brother just had his screws removed and it was nothing.He said all he did was roll up his pants had local and he removed the screws as easy as that! AS for myself I'm fighting an infection on my other foot now. As soon as this foot heals I have to have more surgery to fix all the mess-ups that the first Doctor made on my right foot. :eek: If I had known that I was going to have all these problems I would have suffered through the bunions! Well, give your foot time and maybe you wont need any more surgery.
I hope all goes well for you :wave: Sue
piggy22
06-30-2004, 10:59 AM
i just had my (temporary) screw removed a few days ago...although i was very scared/nervous, it wasn't bad at all...the only part that hurt was when he gave me the shot to numb the area...then it only took like 15 min max. i did get stitches so i have to go back to get those removed in about 2 weeks. but after the screw came out, i think my foot feels a bit better....a little less stiffness and the scar area is lying flatter (i guess the screw head was making a bump in the skin). my pod also told me that removing the screw would help with pain/stiffness/etc. but he also had told me that he planned to remove the screw even before the actual bunionectomy so i'm not sure about your case... hope this helps
rileyroe
06-30-2004, 05:00 PM
My screws are supposed to be there forever. He did tell me that! But, when I mentioned to him that my feet are still very stiff in the mornings and they ache at times he said that I should not have any pain at this point. He was just taking a guess that it could be the screws causing the stiffness and the aches. I have not had any xrays taken since right after surgery. I haven't been back to his office since I was about 3 weeks post op, maybe 4 weeks. He is my daughters t-ball coach, so I spoke to him at one of her games when he asked how I was doing. He hasn't really even looked at my feet! I absolutely will not let him take them out without being sure that is what is going on! I am wondering if maybe they just need more time to heal. Susieblueeyes....please please let me know how things go for you!
Mandy
Mandy
jdm
06-30-2004, 05:14 PM
I had a fusion five months ago, and now have a plate and three screws. My doctor told me yesterday that as the swelling decreases on my foot the plate may become visible and start to cause irritation. If that is the case then I will have it removed, but ideally it will be at least 1 year after the original surgery. She said that recovery is much quicker than the original.
JDM
JDM