Question - ACL Screw Removal

by Teri
(Ohio)

My 16 year old daughter had ACL reconstructive surgery in May 2007, using her hamstring. Her recovery has been good and she was back to playing sports after six months.

In the past month she has noticed a sharp pain in her knee where the screw is, you can even see it protuding from her knee. I know that we can get the screw removed, but what is the recovery time frame and what are the possible draw backs for taking it out?

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Question - ACL Screw Removal

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Aug 06, 2008
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2-4 weeks recovery
by: Bart - SII

Hardware removal after a hamstring graft ACL reconstruction is common. Many patients do not have problems, but it is not unheard of.

The removal is a straight forward surgery - they make a small incision, usually in the same spot as the old scar, and then remove the screw.

Most physicians will recommend rest for several days and then gradually increasing activities. I have had numerous patients with this procedure, and they have all done well and were back to activities in 2-3 weeks.

Bart

Sep 29, 2008
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Question
by: Anonymous

Would there be a need for crutches after the surgery for having the screw removed? And if so, for how long?

Sep 30, 2008
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crutches
by: Bart - SII

You might need crutches after the surgery, but I would guess only for a few days at the most. It really is a very simple and straight forward procedure most of the time - they make a small incision, usually over the old scar, remove the screw, and suture the incision.

Talk to your doctor to make sure, but I would be surprised if you needed crutches for more than a couple days.

Bart

Jun 05, 2009
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Suffering After Knee Screw Removal
by: Tmchris

I had screws removed from my knee on Monday, June 1, 2009, and I am helpless without the crutches. I also have enormous swelling in the knee. It is extremely painful.

My doctor said that I should be able to bend my knee after surgery, but it does not bend. He also said that I would be able to return to the gym approx. four days after surgery. Hopefully, I will regain my range of motion and return to the gym.

Pray for me.

Jun 06, 2009
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Surgery a success
by: Teri

Well my daughter had her screw removed in October 2008. It took about 15 minutes. She only had a little pain and did not need crutches. She was walking around fine by that evening. She only had to sit out from basketball until the stitches were out - about 2 weeks. Her knee feels much better and she is happy she had the screw removed.

Jun 28, 2009
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Screw Removal at 43
by: Tmchris

After three weeks, I can now bend my knee, but there is still some pain at the site of the incision. My doctor has stated that the pain will eventually subside. My knee screw insertion was due to a broken femur suffered last year.

Jun 28, 2009
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recovery question
by: joanie

Hi,

I tore my ACL playing soccer mid April, had the surgery mid June. Hamstring graft. I thought therapy was going well until the PT attempted to push my flexion past the 103 that I could do independently. I have a significant tightness (knot) at the base of my quad that is preventing further flexion and causing pain. Any ideas? Suggestions?

Jul 02, 2009
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ACL & MCL Screw removal
by: Sarah

I had my screws for an ACL Hamstring reconstruction and a MCL repair taken out a week ago (after 24 years- I am 46). I also had some cartilage behind my patella repaired. I have had so much more pain from the screw removal than I had ever imagined. I'm glad to hear that someone else finally was able to stand the pain 3 weeks later. Had I known it would be this painful I would NOT have had them removed!

Aug 17, 2009
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ACL Screw Removal-Anesthesia
by: Jennifer Romero

I had ACL reconstruction surgery with my hamstring about 3 1/2 years ago. The titanium screw in the femur started backing out and has steadily been protruding more and more over the last six months. Now it sticks out farther than my knee cap. This has not caused me any pain or discomfort except for some rare soreness. This Thursday I'm scheduled to have it removed, only because it's almost all the way out of the bone and the Dr. doesn't want it loose and able to move around. (Yes, I know, everyone says we now have proof that I have a few "screws loose"!) My question is this: Can the doctor do a local anesthesia or do I need to be put under general anesthesia? He's willing to do it and so am I, but I'm more worried about the pain factor. Will I feel it a lot and be in a lot of pain or will it only be minor? Thanks for your comments.

Aug 17, 2009
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Pain after surgery
by: Teri

They did put my daughter under - but it ws only about a 15 minute operation and she woke up fairly fast.
She actually did not have much pain - but she does have a high pain threshold. They gave her a prescription for Tylenol 3 and she never took one! She took a couple of Mortins that day and the next and that was it!

Aug 17, 2009
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Ankle / Knee screw removal
by: Al C

Hi I suffered double compound fracture of the tib and fib 11 months ago quite low down near the ankle. Had an IM nail put in right down the middle of the tib from knee to ankle and 2 screws in the ankle and 2 in the knee holding it all together.
Progress has been excellent, I was totally off crutches after about 14/15 weeks. Jogging after 7 months. Jogging fast after 9 months. Breaking some old running records after 11 months. But before I can start sharp turns and sprint I need the screws out. Getting it done this Friday. I will report....

Aug 18, 2009
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Pain After Knee Screw Removal Op
by: Tmchris

For me, I was placed under general anes., and at 43 I woke up with much pain. I was in pain for approx. eight weeks (and I am in athletic shape), but I guess it all depends upon the individual.

I was given 5 mgs. of Percecept, but I decided to forego the pills after one week. (They did not prescribe enough anyway, and they were weak for me.)Now, however, I have between 110-115 degrees flexion. For me, this is good.

Good Luck, "J".

Nov 25, 2009
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hardware / screw removal
by: S.H.S

This site has been informative I must say.
I had IM Nail surgery for a fractured subtrochanter /femur Feb 2008 then had the screw removed from my knee April 2008 as it was rubbing and causing quite the pain.
Had it removed during day surgery, was put under, and had great results, a little discomfort where the incision was but nothing like when I had the initial surgery done.
I would highly recommend it.
Going to see my surgeon again at 2 years post-op to see about having the IM Nail removed as I am quite uncomfortable and have a hard time with sleep positions other than side lying on the opposite leg... frustrating!
Doctor might just try removing screws that go up into my hip to hold nail in place, so we'll see!
Anyone know of anyone that has gone through having the IM Nail removed from the femur??
Curious if my pain / and severe tightness / limitations will ease up?
Would love some feed back.
Sue (Ontario, Canada)

Dec 29, 2009
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I just got a screw removed from an ACL injury...extreme pain
by: Victoria

I tore my acl and mcl and had surgery about 6 Years ago. In the process a screw was placed just below my kneecap. I've been experience some discomfort in that knee recently. I would be playing sports and would get a sharp pain. When playing basketball I didn't have the sharp mobility I uses to have. I wondered if it was bc of the acl surgery i had 6 years ago. I took MRIs to my orthopedic and he told me everything was fine an if anything was causing me pain , it was probably that screw. He told me I didn't news it anymore and suggested I have it removed. I had plans to move for a new job right aroud the corner but since the doc assured me it was a quick "same day surgery" proceedure I agrees to it. He told me I would be walking the next day and back to playing sports a week after surgery. It's been a week now and I've never experiences this much pain in my life. Not only am I absolutely dependant on crutches , but I got a wheel chair and am not able to drive. I have to get a ride from a family member and stretch my leg out in the back. I can't bend it at all. Taking a shower is nearly impossile. Does anyone know what's going on? Do you have a aimiliar story ? What was your healing time? I'm taking vikadin but ita not very effective. Please give any input, I'm worries I won't be healed in time to move for my new job.

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Dec 29, 2009
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Submitted by: Victoria

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I tore my acl and mcl and had surgery about 6 Years ago. In the process a screw was placed just below my kneecap. I've been experience some discomfort in that knee recently. I would be playing sports and would get a sharp pain. When playing basketball I didn't have the sharp mobility I uses to have. I wondered if it was bc of the acl surgery i had 6 years ago. I took MRIs to my orthopedic and he told me everything was fine an if anything was causing me pain , it was probably that screw. He told me I didn't news it anymore and suggested I have it removed. I had plans to move for a new job right aroud the corner but since the doc assured me it was a quick "same day surgery" proceedure I agrees to it. He told me I would be walking the next day and back to playing sports a week after surgery. It's been a week now and I've never experiences this much pain in my life. Not only am I absolutely dependant on crutches , but I got a wheel chair and am not able to drive. I have to get a ride from a family member and stretch my leg out in the back. I can't bend it at all. Taking a shower is nearly impossile. Does anyone know what's going on? Do you have a aimiliar story ? What was your healing time? I'm taking vikadin but ita not very effective. Please give any input, I'm worries I won't be healed in time to move for my new job.

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Dec 29, 2009
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this too shall pass
by: Sarah

Victoria- If you read my comment placed back in July I had the same experience with the exception that I could move and bend my knee I think because they sent me home with exercises to do which I did right away. I used lots of ice and did the exercises, staying down most of the rest of the time. It was a couple of weeks before it didn't hurt like crazy, but it was no pain at all after about six weeks. I did say that I wished I hadn't had it done because it wasn't at all as the Doc. described! Hang in there, the pain will subside gradually over the next couple of weeks.

Dec 29, 2009
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Response for Victoria
by: Anonymous

I wish you the best. See my August 18, 2009 post. I suffered with the pain for approx. eight weeks with cruthes used for seven of those weeks. Perhaps the doctors need to have the procedure done on themselves to get a true idea of pain.

Hang in there. Six months after the knee screw removal, I have flexion of 120 degrees. In my case, this is what my doc had strived for and I am happy. (My good leg gets 134 degrees flexion.) Plus, I have no pain and no limp. I am back to exercising like a 43-year old pro. (smile)

Jan 07, 2010
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Screw Removal
by: Jennifer

Hi there! I asked about having my screw removed from my knee with only a local anesthesia a while back (Aug. 17th, 2009) and I just wanted to let you know how that went. When I asked, the doctor told me if I really wanted to I could just have a local anesthesia and not have to be put under. He did it right there in the normal exam room. All they did was give me a shot in the knee to numb the area (the shot wasn't bad), and then I laid back and they got to work. He cut on the original surgery scar, but only cut about halfway down it and then with two twists of a wrench he had it out. It was very easy and while it was a little "uncomfortable" from feeling him twist, it didn't hurt. The only part that did hurt a little was when he was sewing me up and then only at the top of the skin. Later he asked me if I felt anything and when I told him I could feel the needle on the surface of my skin as he was sewing me, he said it was probably because they didn't put enough of the numbing medicine close to the surface of my skin. I was in and out in about 15 minutes. No crutches were needed and I think I took two doses of Motrin that day then I was done. It's a relief to have the screw out. Like I said though, the screw was bulging out almost as far as my kneecap and it wasn't giving me any problems so it was an easy extraction. Other people who have a deeper screw may require general anesthesia and more recovery. By the way, the doctor let my husband stay and watch... ;-) I've got pics, but I don't know how to post them.

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Jan 07, 2010
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Submitted by: Jennifer

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Comment
Hi there! I asked about having my screw removed from my knee with only a local anesthesia a while back (Aug. 17th, 2009) and I just wanted to let you know how that went. When I asked, the doctor told me if I really wanted to I could just have a local anesthesia and not have to be put under. He did it right there in the normal exam room. All they did was give me a shot in the knee to numb the area (the shot wasn't bad), and then I laid back and they got to work. He cut on the original surgery scar, but only cut about halfway down it and then with two twists of a wrench he had it out. It was very easy and while it was a little "uncomfortable" from feeling him twist, it didn't hurt. The only part that did hurt a little was when he was sewing me up and then only at the top of the skin. Later he asked me if I felt anything and when I told him I could feel the needle on the surface of my skin as he was sewing me, he said it was probably because they didn't put enough of the numbing medicine close to the surface of my skin. I was in and out in about 15 minutes. No crutches were needed and I think I took two doses of Motrin that day then I was done. It's a relief to have the screw out. Like I said though, the screw was bulging out almost as far as my kneecap and it wasn't giving me any problems so it was an easy extraction. Other people who have a deeper screw may require general anesthesia and more recovery. By the way, the doctor let my husband stay and watch... ;-) I've got pics, but I don't know how to post them.

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