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Has anyone had a plate removed after broken wrist surgery?

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jean11098
jean11098

I had ORIF surgery 1/25 with insertion of a plate and 7 screws in my  radius.  Ulna also fractured in 2 places but no hardware was needed.  Surgeon originally said plate could stay in forever, but know thinks it should be removed. He thinks that over time tendons moving over the plate can cause problems down the road.  I am 62 years old.  I am having additional pain on the back of my wrist (right at all the little bones) but this is not where the breaks were.  He thinks this may be tendon problems. I am still in a splint for nighttime and when out and about.  And still on a coffee cup weight limit.

Has anyone had the removal surgery?  How soon after the initial surgery?  What was your recovery?  Was it an easier surgery?  How long in PT after?  Was it worth it?

Thanks!

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2 Replies

  • elaine93514
    elaine93514 jean11098

    Posted

    Just to add Jean, I broke my wrist Nov 2016, had plate & screws inserted 1 week after as it was such a bad break & needed specialist surgeon.

    Continued PT up until removal 10 mths later. Now, 16mths later having final op.

    Surgery was not as bad as I thought as it was completely numb, but the 1st op I was put under. Im expecting MUA again so know what to expect.

    Physio was painful but necessary twice a wk at the hand specialist clinic.

    Recovery depends on how much work you put in but do all you can. Remember you can overdo it as I did, so was advised to ease back.

    I hoped the removal would give me my movement back 100% but in my case I needed further surgery.

    • jean11098
      jean11098 elaine93514

      Posted

      Thanks. This helps. I’ve broken bones before but this one is a doozy. Making progress. Will need to carefully assess if I want removal. I am fortunate to have an excellent surgeon and this is basically all he does. The black ice this winter is keeping him extremely busy. I really just want to set back the clock. 
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