Orthopaedic Implants

During orthopaedic surgery metal implants are often used to hold bones or tissues in place.

These include thin wires that may protrude through the skin, screws, staples, larger rods, and plates. These are made of stainless steel or titanium.

The implants function is to hold bones or tissues together until they heal. Once the bone or tissue has healed, the implants have completed their function, and they no longer need to stay in place.

Temporary Fixation

Some implants are meant to provide temporary fixation. K-wires are thin and smooth, and usually protrude through the skin.  A colored plastic cap is placed over the end of the wire to prevent it from snagging on clothes or sheets.  K-wires that protrude through the skin will generally be removed after 4 - 6 weeks. K-wires are usually used in hammertoe and clawtoe corrections, and with some bunion operations.  For a further discussion of K-wires and care of them Go Here.

Steinmann pins are thicker than K-wires, and usually are threaded.  They are occasionally used for some fractures, and sometimes for arthrodesis on 1st MTP joints or Midfoot fusions.  They may be left in place for up to 3 months.  Because they are threaded, the bust be unscrewed to be taken out.  This is usually done with a drill.

Some screws are also meant to be temporary. To Remove Screws, you must have an anesthetic, and it is done in the outpatient surgery center.  We will schedule a time to remove them when we schedule the surgery to put them in. They usually remain in for 3 – 4 months.

Permanent Fixation

Most orthopaedic implants are designed to remain in place for your entire life. In most cases they remain inconspicuously in the bone, hidden beneath the skin.

Occasionally these implants cause problems. If they are just beneath the surface of the skin, or over a bone prominence, when the swelling from surgery resolves they may be palpable. If that is uncomfortable, they can be removed with an outpatient surgery. Usually after Removing Implants you will remain non-weightbearing for one week.

If an Infection occurs in an area where there are metal implants, the metal must generally be removed to allow the infection to resolve. Something about having an artificial device in the presence of infection affects the immune system so the infection will persist.