question for everyone with permanent screw - Foot Problems Message Board

rileyroe · 06-29-2004, 10:54 AM

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?

susieblueyes · 06-29-2004, 05:37 PM

HI ,

Sorry to hear you're having problems again.
Sue

rileyroe · 06-29-2004, 08:38 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, 05:14 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, 05:35 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?