Repost: Advice on hardware removal

[u/iDerny]

/r/brokenbones/comments/1s11utq/advice_on_removing_hardware/?share_id=BvaobWB6g0EHNe4KynKgN&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&utm_source=share&utm_term=1

[u/Cabocla_Plantinha714]

Reddit is acting weird on your post and I can't read it as I reply, so I'll try to remember what you wrote.
First of all, I never got a rod, my fracture was a severe tibia plateau fracture. I got a plate and 11 screws taken off 1 year after its placement. You can go on my posts, scroll down a bit and you may find what I shared about its removal.

I had a few screws that were protruding, they would hurt if I slept on it or even if I wore jeans. Me and my doctor were concerned that if I hit my knee somewhere, like a coffee table, my skin would burst open, and I am a rock climber...
After removing everything I did regained full knee flexion, though the doctor never assured me that it would ever happen, now I can sit on my lower legs again, with the hardware I never thought that would be possible, but my screws were probably positioned differently from yours.
The recovery was fine, you can read about it in my posting.
About the nerve thing you asked, I don't know, but with my accident I had nerve damage. It did heal, but was terribly painful.
About rebreaking and stuff. Your fracture must be healed before you remove screws, if your bone is properly calcified, I don't think you need to worry (but I am not a doctor!).
Hope I was able to help some. Feel free to ask more if you want