Question - Loose Screw? (ACL Reconstruction)

by Lauren
(GA)

I am 7 months post-op (ACL Reconstruction) and am starting to train again in competitive sports. I am experiencing the "normal" pain, stiffness, etc. that comes with the territory but have recently noticed a sharp pain on the medial side of my knee, close to the scar. It is very tender to touch and hurts when I straighten my legs, in a push up position, or don't have some kind of support under my knee when sitting.

Could this be caused by the screw? If so, would it help to have it taken out? I've heard the removal is a fairly easy process.

Thanks!

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Question - Loose Screw? (ACL Reconstruction)

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Jul 23, 2008
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Could be from the screw...
by: Bart - SII

But it could also be excessive scar formation, or adhesions around the scar that are pulling when you fully extend your knee. You might try some friction massage to try to loosen up the skin and scar tissue, which may help alleviate some of your discomfort.

I would recommend talking with your physician about this pain and get their input. Hardware removal is a fairly straight forward and easy procedure, but it is still a surgery and if it can be avoided, all the better.

Hope this helps - comment back with other questions.

Oct 13, 2008
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I may have the same thing
by: Anonymous

I also have the same pain you described, but I am only 5mo out from surgery. I am going to the Dr. soon, but was wondering if you could provide any feedback about your injure and what happened from it.

Feb 04, 2009
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8 months out from ACL surgery
by: Anonymous

I am 8 months out. I have recently just started back to the driving range and exercising more frequently. I recently had terrible pain on the outside of my knee. I went to my surgeon and after an x-ray it was determined the screw is starting to protrude and causing issues. More surgery may be in my future and I am not looking foward to it.

Feb 04, 2009
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I had the screw removed!
by: Anonymous

Hey, it's me from the original post. I had my screw removed a few months ago. The procedure was simple! I walked out of the hospital and didn't feel any pain except from the incision, which healed in several days. It actually felt much better from the moment I got out of surgery because that screw wasn't moving around in there. Talk to your doctor, but from my experience, I say go for it!

Feb 10, 2009
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6 1/2 Months Out
by: Anonymous

I had my surgery over 6 months ago and recently my knee pain on the inside of my left knee near one of the scars has become horrible. My physical therapist said it would be a loose screw, I have a doctor's appointment soon. I'm a serious runner and I'm hoping to be able to get back to training. Any ideas on how long would it take to recover after the removal of the screw?

Feb 10, 2009
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running after screw removal
by: Anonymous

It took me three weeks after screw removal (this was 8 months post ACL) to be sprinting again. Just gotta be careful because of the hole in the bone where the screw was. It heals pretty quickly as long as you don't do too much!

Mar 05, 2009
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loose screw
by: ryan

my doc said impossible for screw to come out, after 6 months i demanded a mri, 3 days later another surgery, My pt and I told doc exactly what was going on and everyone blamed it on me and nothing was wrong, this is bs, they should atleast pay for the negligence from not listing to me and making me go to 50 3 hour pt visits.

Mar 11, 2009
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Screws protruding so soon????
by: Anonymous

I had two fx and dislocated wrists in June. Dr. said it was much better to put in plates/screws. Took cast off in August. Starting having pain in September, went to doctor in October. He said the screw was starting to protrude and they would have to take them out. Is this normal? Only two months after casts come off they want to go back in and take them out? More pain, more money....I would never had them put in if I knew this would happen. I was in agony before and I'm sure this means another full surgery to remove these plates and screws. You can actually see a protrusion in my arm. Does this sound right to anyone?

Mar 25, 2009
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knee pain
by: ronaldo jg9

hi. i have been having some pain under my knee where my scar is at.i can move my knee normaly. but when i tried running the pain would start and its right in the middle of the scar they tell me its because of the cold weather that my screw would hurt. and i wanted to know if this was true ? or if its scar tissue? what can i do for it to go away. and how can you know if its a loose screw? thank you.

Mar 26, 2009
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Screw removal
by: Tab

Hi I am actually getting ready to have 2 screws taken out of my knee on Monday. I had realignment surgery 4 1/2 years ago and now my knee cap is tilted and they are thinking I might have to have a partial replacement. My pain started about 2 years ago and I thought it was normal. My scar looks good but all of my pain is where the screws are at. I am an EMT and need the use of both legs. My doc told me it would be a simple procedure and recovery time would be a few weeks. I will keep everyone posted

Mar 26, 2009
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A Complete Mess Up
by: Alex

My mother had a knee replacement nearly 5 years ago and about a week after the operation her leg went into a spasm and she could not walk for days, she paid parivately to have the knee replaced and this was just the start off her problems she returned regular to the surgeon who charged her �75.00 for a five minute visit and told her he did not know what could be wrong, my mother has never been able to walk properly and if she goes to the shops she will have to bed rest for the next day. After years of painkillers and Voltaral we finally asked for a second opinion and she was given her 1st MRI scan and guess what, the screws had come loose and the knee is so badly infected that it has rotted what was left of the bone she is now in hospital having the infection drained off will keep in touch

Apr 13, 2009
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LAwsuit
by: Anonymous

If you had screws put in after 2006, check to see if your screws were Calaxo. There are several major lawsuits regarding this brand. Google it.

May 26, 2009
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ACL
by: Lucinda

My partner had his ACL done last July and since the beginning of November has been suffering with pain around the knee/back & aching. The pain has prevented him for carrying on with physio & working full time.
He had a scan one month ago & the NSH reckon the results show that all is ok!
Really don`t know where to go from here now?
Any suggestions?

Jun 02, 2009
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ACL Tear Reconstruction
by: Anonymous

I got an ACL tear on 18th Feb 07, was operated on 10 June 08, "ACL Reconstruction Surgery", Since then it has been almost a year, and still i have the screws in the knee as well i inhabit pain as a part of movement.

Moreover when i am sitting for more than 10 minutes at a place and i stand after that, for next couple of minutes the knee hurts and i cannot open my leg to 180 degree position. Only after couple of minutes i can.

Please give suggession regarding what should i do exacly.

Jun 04, 2009
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Removal of screw
by: Anonymous

I had ACL reconstruction 4 years ago, I rehabbed great, and have been back on the tennis court and bball court non-stop. Just recently in the las year have had slight pain around the scar near the screw. I have an appointment in 3 weeks to discuss getting the screw removed. It seems like its poking out farther than it ever has. I don't look forward to rehabbing again but i don't want it to come out or give any problems down the road. Will keep everyone posted.

Jun 18, 2009
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screw! (:
by: Anonymous

Hey, i heard from my doc that the screw is suppose to melt away after about a year. Is that true?
By the way i had my acl reconstruction 6months ago..

Jun 30, 2009
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loose screw
by: Anonymous

i sometimes get sharp pain in my knee if i kneel on it wrong or when the weather changes but whats really a bother is i can feel and see the screw protruding out. I haven't been to the doctor since in a while but i did get an MRI. Should i get it removed? is it loose?

Jul 09, 2009
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Screw Pain
by: Anonymous

I currently work at a law firm that is investigating several screws used in ACL reconstruction surgeries that may defective. These bioabsorbable screws have been shown to have a tendency to absorb too quickly, or break, and can cause infection that may lead to a revision. If you would like to hear more about these screws or think you may have a case, please feel free to contact me at 713-626-3700. My name is Matt.

Sep 21, 2009
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3 ACL Reconstructions
by: Katherine

Hello, I have had 3 reconstructions- all on the same knee. 1994, 1995, and 2000..
I have had serious pain over the last few months in my knee, and on and off in the tibia where I still have 1 screw left. The orthopedist I met with today said it was an elective surgery to remove the screw and scope the knee...???? He believes there are cartilage fragments causing pain and swelling, but won't do an MRI. I was wondering if anyone has had anything similar going on and what you decided? I realize my knee is never going to be pain free at this point, but still am thinking about another surgery.

Thanks for any thoughts!
Katherine

Sep 27, 2009
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SCREW JUST OUT
by: Anonymous

I just got my screw out 2 days ago. It was causing an infection. I walked out of the operation. My doctor is leaving the cut open to allow fluids to discharge for a week before sealing it back up. I do feel the screw was irritating my bone, it feels better having it gone!

Oct 17, 2009
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4months post op and pain
by: Anonymous

I had ACL reconstruction about 4 months ago and everything has been going pretty smoothly but the past month or so, since I Have started more strenuous activity I have been having pain and swelling on the medial side of my knee toward the top of where the longer incision starts.

It gets to the point where I cant really run on it and becomes very stiff. What could this be, the screw?? I am very frustrated and really want to get back into soccer next summer!

Oct 26, 2009
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Screw problems?
by: Anonymous39

I had my ACL reconstruction surgery a whole ten years ago. A patella graft was used with titanium screws to hold it in place.
It was never really pain free throughout all these years but it was generally very good and I do not regret it.
The only exception was on the inside of the knee at the top end of the leg bone where apparently one the screws is. I usually had mild pain in this spot after strenuous activities but I would say that it was getting slowly worse over the years.
Today, completely out of no where, I was kneeling when I felt so much pain and it is now hard to go down the stairs or squat for example. I feel some small protrusion at this spot and it is very tender. From what i read so far, it seems a problem with the screw. I am worried about the screw-removal surgery. Any success stories out there. In particular, did anyone have problems after such a long time?
Regards,
Ayman

Oct 26, 2009
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Reply to Ayman
by: Katherine

Hi Ayman, I posted earlier about my screw.... I just had an MRI done to determine other issues, but after having 3 separate dr opinions, they all say removing the screw is a great idea. I have some pain associated with the screw, but much more inside my knee (probable meniscus tear). The dr said if they are going to scope my kne, it would be a no-brainer to just remove the screw. Taking out foreign hardware can only be a good thing, they said. God luck to you and keep me posted what your drs say!

Katherine