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Hardware removal second metacarpal

I had 10 screws and 3 plates put into my 2nd metacarpal after a severe oblique fracture this summer. My ortho wants to remove the hardware this fall approximately 6 months after being put in. Honestly the plates and screws are bothering me. It feels like a ligament, or something, is catching on a screw when I make a fist. I can feel and see the plates and the screws under my skin which grossed me out. It hurts if it’s hot or cold. It’s my dominant hand, I know it will never be 100% again, but it’s greatly improved after surgery. I’m wondering if having the hardware removed will help or not. I can’t imaging how a bone the size of a chicken wing can heal properly after having 10 screws removed from it, it would be like Swiss cheese. I’m nervous about the recovery and possibly fracturing it again afterwards. Thoughts?
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15695260 tn?1549593113
Hello and welcome to MedHelp's forums.  Thanks for the question.  We're glad you are working with your doctor for the right direction to take.  There is evidence that removing surgical hardware can be beneficial to patients particularly when there are complications although the topic is debated by physicians.  This study looked at patient response in which there was a positive impact seen by those who actually went through it. Here is that information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4528685/.

Whether this is right for you is up to you and your doctor.  But you do seem to be uncomfortable with the hardware.  Perhaps your tendons are irritated, screws are too close to joints which in the small bones of the hands would be difficult, etc.  I think the biggest thing to make sure of is that the fracture is totally healed.  

Let us know what you decide to do and how it goes.
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