Hardware Removal

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Hardware removal is surgery to take out devices used to fix your bone. These devices may include metal pins, screws, plates, surgical wires, or bone implants. These types of hardware are placed to hold and put your broken bones back together until they heal. Some hardware may be used for a short period of time, while some may be left in place permanently. Hardware removal is usually done because of problems caused by the implant, such as pain or infection. It may also be done when the hardware causes allergy or bone fracture. Others may want them removed because of cancer risk or to avoid security metal detection. Hardware in young children may need to be removed to prevent problems with bone growth.
  
  
• During hardware removal, your caregiver makes an incision (cut) over the same area used when the hardware is placed. The hardware is slowly and carefully separated from nearby tissues to prevent damage. Special instruments are also used to loosen and free the hardware from your bone. Your wound is closed using stitches (threads) and covered with bandages.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

There are always risks with surgery, such as bleeding, infection, and allergy to the anesthesia medicine. Nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, muscles, and bones may be damaged. Your bone may get fractured again while the hardware is being removed. Even after the hardware is removed, the pain may still continue and may not go away. You may have trouble going back to your usual activities, including sports. You may have scars from repeated surgeries. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your surgery, medicine, or care.

GETTING READY:

The week before your surgery:

• Ask a family member or friend to drive you home after surgery. Do not drive yourself home.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver if you need to stop using aspirin or any other prescribed or over-the-counter medicine before your procedure or surgery.
  
  
• Bring your medicine bottles or a list of your medicines when you see your caregiver. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to any medicine. Tell your caregiver if you use any herbs, food supplements, or over-the-counter medicine.
  
  
• If you have diabetes, ask your caregiver for special instructions about what you may eat and drink before your surgery. If you use medicine to treat diabetes, your caregiver may have special instructions about using it before surgery. You may need to check your blood sugar more often before and after having surgery.
  
  
• Tell your caregiver if you know or think you might be pregnant.
  
  
• You may need to have blood and urine tests taken. X-rays may be needed to see pictures of your bones with the hardware. Ask your caregiver for more information about these and other tests that you may need. Write down the date, time, and location of each test.

The night before your surgery:

• Remove any nail polish.
  
  
• You may be given medicine to help you sleep.
  
  
• Ask caregivers about directions for eating and drinking.

The day of your surgery:

• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your surgery.
  
  
• What to bring: You may want to bring items such as a toothbrush and bathrobe.
  
  
• If you wear contact lenses, do not wear them on the day of your procedure or surgery. Glasses may be worn.
  
  
• Do not wear tight-fitting clothes on the day of your procedure or surgery.
  
  
• Caregivers may insert an intravenous tube (IV) into your vein. A vein in the arm is usually chosen. Through the IV tube, you may be given liquids and medicine.
  
  
• An anesthesiologist may talk to you before your surgery. This caregiver may give you medicine to make you sleepy before your procedure or surgery. Tell your caregiver if you or anyone in your family has had a problem using anesthesia in the past.
  
  
• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal piece of paper (consent form). It gives your caregiver permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Be sure all your questions have been answered before you sign this form.

TREATMENT:

What will happen:

• You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. You may be given medicine to help you relax or make you drowsy. You will be taken on a stretcher to the operating room. General or regional anesthesia may be given to keep you free from pain during the surgery. You will be placed in a position where you and your caregiver doing the surgery will both be comfortable. The area where surgery will be done will be cleaned and covered with sheets.
  
  
• Your caregiver will make an incision (cut) over the same area that was incised before when the hardware is placed. Blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues will be carefully separated to expose the hardware. Once exposed, the hardware will be loosened and removed using special instruments. The incision will be closed using stitches (thread).

After surgery: You are taken to a room where you can rest. Caregivers will check on you. When they see that you are ready, you may also be allowed to go home. If you are staying in the hospital, you will be taken to your hospital room. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is OK. A bandage is used to cover your stitches or staples. This bandage keeps the area clean and dry to help prevent infection. A caregiver may remove the bandage soon after your procedure or surgery to check the area.

Waiting room: This is a room where your family and friends can wait until you are ready for visitors. If your family leaves the hospital, ask them to leave a phone number where they can be reached.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot make it to your appointment on time.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• The problems for which you are having surgery get worse.
  
  
• You have a skin infection or an infected wound near the area of the implant.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have chest pain.
  
  
• You have trouble breathing all of a sudden.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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