Implant Removal Surgery

Implant Removal Surgery at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Andheri East

Plates, screws, rods and wires usually go unnoticed once a fracture has healed, but they do not always need to stay. Implant removal surgery takes out the metal fixation devices from an earlier fracture repair when the bone no longer needs them. It may be planned from the start, or prompted by discomfort, irritation or a complication around the implant. CritiCare Asia Hospitals is an orthopaedic hospital in Mumbai where evaluation is organised to keep appointments to a minimum, with examination, imaging review and the surgical discussion arranged together where possible. This matters for people balancing work and travel. When removal is the right step, implant removal surgery in Andheri East is planned clearly, with expected downtime discussed in advance.

Symptoms

Localised pain or tenderness over the implant
Swelling or a palpable lump where hardware lies close to the skin
Restricted movement in a joint nearby
Redness, warmth or discharge at the original surgical site
A catching, clicking or shifting sensation under the skin

When Removal Is Advised

Plenty of implants stay in for life without causing trouble. Removal is considered in a handful of situations:

A healed fracture where the implant was always meant to be temporary, particularly in younger patients with growing bone
Hardware near the skin that causes persistent discomfort, especially around the ankle, wrist or collarbone
A risk of infection, or an infection that has developed
A loosened or shifted implant irritating nearby soft tissue
Ongoing pain traced to the hardware rather than the original fracture

The decision depends on how the bone has healed, what the implant is doing at this stage, and how much it bothers the patient. Our orthopaedic specialists in Mumbai give a clear recommendation after reviewing your scans.

Causes

Implants placed near the skin, where soft tissue padding is thin, are more likely to irritate over time. Growth in younger patients can alter how hardware sits against bone. A low-grade infection may appear months or years after the first surgery, unrelated to fracture healing. In some cases, the metal simply becomes symptomatic once the bone no longer needs it, with pain appearing well after healing is complete.

Preparation

Preparation is similar to other orthopaedic surgery. Fasting applies the night before, and blood-thinning medication is usually paused under medical guidance. Arrange a ride home, as anaesthesia takes time to wear off, and wear loose clothing. Ask in advance how much activity you can resume and when, since this varies more with implant removal than with most orthopaedic procedures. If your job is desk-based, many people find they can plan a return within the first few weeks, but this should be confirmed with your surgeon.

Recovery

Recovery tends to be shorter and less demanding than after the original fracture surgery. Mild swelling and soreness around the incision are normal for the first week or two, and weight-bearing restrictions are usually lighter. Physiotherapy is not always needed, but it helps where stiffness has built up around a nearby joint. Most people return to normal daily activity within a few weeks, with full recovery generally settling in over one to two months, depending on the implant's size and location.

Treatment Options and Procedure

Imaging first confirms that the fracture has fully healed and shows the exact position of the implant, which shapes the surgical approach. Blood tests, a general health review, and anaesthesia planning follow. Removal is usually done under general or regional anaesthesia, depending on the hardware involved.

The surgeon reopens the original incision wherever possible, to limit new scarring. Screws are unscrewed, plates lifted free and rods or wires withdrawn. A single screw is far quicker to remove than a long intramedullary nail. The site is then closed and dressed.

Pain afterwards is usually milder than after the first operation, since there is no fresh break, only soft tissue recovering from a smaller procedure. Movement typically resumes sooner than it did the first time.