Hi All,

I am searching for some opinions. I had a fusion of my big toe with a bone graft from my hip in Feb. 04. I currently have a plate and three screws in my foot over the fusion site. The metal is meant to be permanent, but it does not have to be. I can feel a couple of the screws when running my hand over the area, but I don't have major discomfort. A couple pairs of shoes bother the area. They are strappy and the straps cut right across the area. The doctor told me that about 60% of the people keep the metal and 40% have it removed. If I have it done, I would do it after school gets out in June. I was told that the recovery would be about two weeks. There would be no cast, just a pretty surgical shoe as there would be no bone breakage.

I was thinking that if I do need it out, wouldn't it be better to do it sooner rather than later? Anyway, I would appreciate any advice/opinions that you might have.

Thanks,
JDM