Should I have my wrist plate removed?

Reasons to take out a plate and screws irritated tendons (can happen from a screw or the plate edge rubbing on a tendon) prominent screw or hardware too close to a joint (removing the hardware may make the joint function better or be less painful)

When should the plate be removed after wrist surgery?

Some patients choose to have their hardware (plate, screws, pins) removed 6 to 12 months after surgery because the hardware may become uncomfortable and cause irritation of the tendons in the hand. If you choose to have this surgery, it will be scheduled at your convenience.

Should forearm plates and screws be removed?

Dr. Foreman: Typically, we like to wait a minimum of one year following surgery to remove hardware, which you have attained. If x-rays show the fractures to be well-healed, then the plates and screws can be removed if you desire.

Can your body reject a metal plate?

The body can reject plates and screws as your body has no material, but titanium as a biomaterial for implants and PEEK is safe and has few complaints so far.

Do metal plates hurt in the cold?

Metal implants used in joint replacements, fracture reinforcement and spine fusions transfer heat and cold better than human tissue. Guests who have metal implants might feel the cold more in the implant area during lower temperatures.

Are wrist plates permanent?

Motion and light use of the wrist are started ~2 weeks after surgery. Once the bone has healed (~6 weeks), more vigorous activities are allowed. The metal plate and screws are made of titanium, they are usually left in place forever.

How long do metal plates last in the body?

When titanium cages, rods, plates and pins are inserted into the body, they can last for upwards of 20 years. And dental titanium, such as titanium posts and implants, can last even longer.

How do you know if your body is rejecting a metal plate?

Signs and symptoms of metal hypersensitivities can range from small and localized to more severe and generalized. Limited reactions can appear as a contact dermatitis on the skin that has been exposed to the metal. The skin may appear red, swollen, and itchy. Hives and rashes may also develop.

Why do metal plates hurt when it rains?

The barometric pressure drops when storms are rolling in, and somehow, the body detects this change, causing swelling of soft tissue or expanding of joint fluid. These changes in the collection are what ultimately lead to pain.