Bunion Screw Removal - Foot Problems Message Board

BunionPatient · 06-18-2008, 12:28 AM

Hello everyone, I'm a returning bunion patient and I just wanted to ask whoever had their screws removed a few questions.... Did you doctor reopen the old incision or cut a new incision to remove the screws? How long before were you able to walk? Did anyone do local? Tell me everything you remember. Thanks a lot... I just want to know everyone's point of view because I am getting mines removed next month... My bunion surgery was a year ago... and now I'm returning b/c the screws have been irritating me. I'll also be more than welcome to tell anyone who wants to know how mines went when I'm done! Thanks =)

jean2003 · 06-18-2008, 09:27 AM

I had the plate, wires and screw removed from my bunion surgery. I had it removed after about 4 months. Would have to look up the exact time. For me it was surgery all over again, which I didn't know. I had it done in the office with every thing sterile. It took about an hour. He had trouble getting the right size of instrument to remove the screw. The wires took sometime getting them out. My foot was numbed and I didn't feel any pain. It was just stressful taking so long. He did cut in the same incision place. My incision looked bad for sometime, but is now looking good. My shoe does not rub the scar. Can't even feel it. If you only have a screw, it probably won't take so long. He gave me pain pills to take if I needed them after, but I didn't have any pain.
Good luck and don't worry. It is probably better to have the screw out than have it in your foot. I am 5 1/2 months.
Jean

jean2003 · 06-18-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jean2003

I had the plate, wires and screw removed from my bunion surgery. I had it removed after about 4 months. Would have to look up the exact time. For me it was surgery all over again, which I didn't know. I had it done in the office with every thing sterile. It took about an hour. He had trouble getting the right size of instrument to remove the screw. The wires took sometime getting them out. My foot was numbed and I didn't feel any pain. It was just stressful taking so long. He did cut in the same incision place. My incision looked bad for sometime, but is now looking good. My shoe does not rub the scar. Can't even feel it. If you only have a screw, it probably won't take so long. He gave me pain pills to take if I needed them after, but I didn't have any pain.
Good luck and don't worry. It is probably better to have the screw out than have it in your foot. I am 5 1/2 months.
Jean

I forgot to tell you. I could put my shoe on right after the removal. He put a big bandage on the incision. He said that I could shower and get it wet, but I decided to wait until it healed a bit before I got it wet. I guess I was afraid of getting an infection, but he gave me infection pills. It was actually 3 1/2 months. I just looked it up for my screw, plate and wires to come out. I walked just fine afterwards.

BunionPatient · 06-19-2008, 03:45 AM

Thanks for the response Jean,
Sounds like yours was a little more complicated b/c you had plates and wires... I only have two screws...Did you say that you had to take out the internal hardware after 3 1/2 months? And after you took it out you walked fine? Does that mean I do not need to bring crutches with me the day I take my screws out? Lol. I get a little confused so I just had to make that clear!! Thanks again!!!

BunionPatient · 07-09-2008, 12:30 PM

I finally got my 2 screws removed after a year of bunion surgery! Okay I'll list what went down, it may not be in the same order but I tried nontheless.
1) I was awake for the whole thing, sat on this long chair, everything was sterile, they put a curtain in between so I wouldn't see the whole surgery process.
2) I had 4 numb shots in my foot before the surgery. The first two did not hurt at all but the 3rd one I felt it hitting my bone or screw.... But the pain may be compared to getting a cavity filled. The 4th one didn't hurt either.
3) I had my pod cut the same incision. It was difficult though because the head of one screw was on the opposite end of my original incicion and it was difficult to get out b/c this time the incision was smaller and he had to do a lot of reaching and digging.
4) The screw he was having trouble with getting out got out. If he wasn't able to get that out he would have to make a centimeter incision by the head of the screw, so thank god that one came out. The other screw was easy to get out b/c it was near the incision. It was embedded a little with bone though. He asked me if I wanted to take that one out even though bone had already grown over it and I said yes. He agreed as well b/c he already opened the incision!
5) So my incision was a little longer than an inch b/c it was difficult getting the first screw out. I could of made it easier for the pod and let him make a 2nd incision just by the head of that screw on the opposite end but I didn't want to add another random scar.
6) So it took about an hour to get everything ready and my foot numbed, and approximately 45 minutes for the real surgery.
7) I had dissolvable stitches. Small sticky bandages taped over them. White Gauze over that. And some wrapping over the gauze.
8) I don't think I'm suppost to get them wet, and my incision isn't healed yet so I won't.
9) Right after the bandages & wrap, I walked slowly to the x-ray room and got a new x-ray.
10) We were looking at all the before and after, this one with no screws or bunion!
11) I am able to walk, not as fast and normal as usual, but walk on my own.
12) I was perscribed vicodin and I do use it because it is a little painful on the incision area and just in case there is a random pain that shoots.
13) I see the doctor in a week to look at my incision and that's that.

I hope I gave everyone an idea of bunion screw removal or at least my point of view. Feel free to ask any questions about the screw removal, I'll try to answer the best I can!