Discharge Instructions: Hardware Removal Surgery

You’ve had surgery to remove hardware (such as pins, screws, metal plates, rods, or wires). Here are instructions to help you care for yourself at home.

FacebookXLinkedinEmailCopy LinkPrint

You’ve had surgery to remove hardware (such as pins, screws, metal plates, rods, or wires). The hardware was put in during a past orthopedic surgery. The surgeon may have used the same incision site that was used to put in the hardware. But sometimes a larger incision must be made to take it out.

Your incision was closed with stitches, staples, or a special glue. A dressing has been placed over the incision to prevent infection. You may also have a cast or splint.

You may have some swelling and pain around the incision site. This is normal. It may go away in a few days. Or you may have pain for a few weeks.

Here are instructions to help you care for yourself at home.

Activity

  • Follow your doctor’s instructions for rest and activity.

  • If possible, keep the affected area raised above heart level when sitting or lying down. This helps prevent swelling.

  • Don’t do any strenuous activity or put weight on the affected area until your doctor says it’s okay.

  • Do any exercises you were given by your doctor.

  • Ask your doctor when it’s okay to return to work. This will depend on the type of work you do and how physical it is.

  • Don’t drive until your doctor says it’s okay. And never drive if you’re taking opioid pain medicine.

Home care

  • Keep the incision site and dressing clean and dry.

  • Follow your doctor’s instructions about caring for your dressing, cast, or splint.

  • If your doctor told you not to remove the dressing, they will remove it at your follow-up appointment.

  • Use an ice pack to reduce the swelling. Apply the ice pack for 20 minutes, then remove it for 20 minutes. Repeat as needed. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a thin towel or cloth. Never put ice or an ice pack directly on the skin. The ice pack can be put right on a cast or splint.

  • Follow your doctor's instructions about showering. They will tell you when you can start showering again. When you do shower, you may be instructed to cover the area with plastic. This is to keep the dressing, splint, or cast dry. Seal the plastic with tape or rubber bands.

  • Don’t bathe, go in a hot tub, swim, or soak the affected area in water until any stitches are out and the incision is healed.

Medicine use

  • Your doctor may prescribe medicines to ease pain. If not, then ask your doctor if it’s okay to take an over-the-counter medicine for pain relief. Talk to your doctor before taking these medicines if you have chronic liver or kidney disease. Also talk to your doctor if you’ve had an ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding.

  • Take pain medicines on time. Don’t wait until the pain is bad before taking your medicines.

  • If you’re prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection, take all the medicine until it’s gone.

  • Don’t drink alcohol while taking pain medicines.

Follow-up

Make a follow-up appointment as advised by your doctor. If you have non-absorbable stitches or staples, see your doctor for their removal as advised.

Call 911

Call 911 right away if you have:

  • Chest pain.

  • Shortness of breath.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your doctor if you have:

  • Symptoms of infection, such as:

    • A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your doctor.

    • More pain at the incision site.

    • More redness or swelling.

    • Pus or bad-smelling fluid leaking from the incision site.

  • Any problems with a cast or splint, such as:

    • More pain around the cast or splint.

    • A cast or splint that feels tight.

    • Numbness and tingling in a hand or foot.

    • A lot of swelling below the cast.

    • You can’t move your fingers or toes.

    • Burning or stinging feeling around the cast or splint.

    • The cast becomes wet or soiled.

  • An upset stomach (nausea) or vomiting that’s new or gets worse.

  • The incision looks different (for instance, part of it opens up).

  • Bleeding from the incision site that does not stop.

  • Pain that does not go away when taking medicine.

  • Sudden new pain or a tight feeling in your arm or leg.

  • Swelling in your arm or leg.

  • Soreness or redness in your arm or leg.

  • Numb feeling or weakness around the incision site that does not go away.

  • Anything abnormal that worries you.