A question for those who have/had rods/plates/pins etc in their body.

[LaFilleSurLePont]

Do you experience any pain around the area?

I had a rod in my humerus as a result of an accident at work 11 years ago. I've had intermittent pain since then,but it's getting worse and is unbearable at times. I can't take much weight with it and I've been left with nerve damage too.

I have an appointment tomorrow to discuss options,though I've previously been advised that it's not wise to have the rod removed,but I can't put up with this pain forever. It almost feels as though the rod has moved.

I'm curious to know if anyone else has trouble or pain as a result of metalwork.

TIA

Hi, I had metal work in my spine and foot after an accident where I broke my spine In 3 places and both my feet. Also damage to spinal cord resulting In an incomplete spinal cord injury. I had the metal work removed as i was still experiencing a lot of pain.
But now the pain I'n my spine is even worse, not sure if it my spine problems or removal of metal work.
I do have some sensation below my waist, and the foot pain is better without the metal work in.

I had a rod and a couple of screws in my heel. Screw were removed as they had moved and were beginning to protrude. Rod still in place abut causes no pain. The arthritis in the joint does however.

Not personally but my mum. She broke her hip and eventually had the metalwork removed as it was causing her an awful lot of pain. She was told it might have been because she is quite a slim person but I don't know if that is the case or not. But her pain was reduced by having the metal removed and she now has the pieces, framed, in the bathroom

DH was hit by a car in 96 and has a titanium rod in his leg from knee to toe. It gives him pain every day, especially where the screws lay sideways across the pin IYSWIM. He would it taken out but doc says no, it's fused to the new bone. eeeewwwwwww

I would say his pain was unbearable at times too. Hope you can get yours sorted.

None at all, pins in hip. Might be because was only 12 at time and it's all fused or whatever. It must be very difficult to cope with pain, I hope you can get it sorted out.

Pretty much my entire spine is fused with rods and pins. Admittedly it's only been done 8 months but have no pain at all. (still numb actually!)

Yes rods/pins/plates in lower leg and a nut & bolt type thing across my ankle. I get pain in my ankle constantly and the docs seem to think it is tendons catching on the metalwork.

Nothing can be done for me unfortunately, I hope you have more luck.

DH had this but they gave him the option to have things out once the bone had healed up; they were quite strongly advising he should have the rod out because of his youth & active lifestyle. The screws bothered him until removed but the rod itself never; he had rod removed about ...14-15 months after the original break (lower leg). I understand they had to chip away a lot of bone to get it out.

I had 3 pins put in my hip when I was 18 months old (am now 43!). I get no pain at all, probably because the bone has now grown over them, but I was warned that I would get arthritis when I hit 40. No signs of it yet, but I'm not complacent about it...must lose weight so that when it does come it's not exacerbated by excess load.

I had giant staples in my ankle following a triple fusion due to non diagnosed break. I eventually had them removed as they were being pushed out by my body !!! I had lumps in my foot where they were and it was red hot around those areas. My consultant decided to removed as it was painful with them in. I was lucky in that at the time there was pain relief for them coming out...years down the line I have different pains (scar tissue etc) but not because the staples aren't in...the bone had healed together so for me they weren't needed.

I had plates and pins in both femurs aged 7 that were removed when I was 16 - it was NOT a pleasant procedure as the bone had grown completely over the metalwork which had to be excavated out! I suppose though that if they are inserted as an adult you don't get that problem?

The surgeon told my Mum that if plates are going to cause a problem it is normally between ?7-10 years? (something like that) but as I am in mid 40's now my memory is probably foggy :)

I had a titanium bolt & steel screws put into my knee this year. The recovery was a long old bore, but in recent months it's given me a new lease of life - prior to that I had put up with torn ligaments for nearly 20 years.

Yes it does hurt, especially in cold weather, but I have almost full mobility now, better weight-bearing and almost no swelling, which is a very fair deal.

I think there are breakthroughs in orthopaedic procedures all the time and would urge anyone in pain to go back and explore options!

I have 2 screws in my skull since I had brain surgery in 2009. Not pain as such but 'cold' pressure in the winter. Not such a big deal - I just wear a hat from October to March

Thankyou all for sharing your stories,opinions and advice. It's been very helpful. I'm sorry to hear that so many others have pain from their plates and pins.

The dr gave me stronger painkillers and has referred me to the Orthopaedic clinic,the pain has eased considerably over the past 2 few days,but I know it'll be back.
I'm looking forward to my appointment,whenever it might be,though they might not be able to do much for me,but at least I'll know my options.