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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Plates And Screw In Forearm. Having Sudden Pain. What Could It Be?

I have 8 screws and 4 metal plates in my left forearm, it occasionally aches but recently its been a sharp pain from my elbow to my wrist and its following the bone where actually snapped, what should I do? What could it be? I dunno if I've just knocked it and it could be dead but today it started hurting more and beginning to be. Sharp pain?
Tue, 16 Apr 2013
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Orthopaedic Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi, a plate is the best way to fix to parts of a broken bone so that it joints in proper alignment. Looking at your arm from outside you would have skin and the surgical scar. This covers a layer of muscle, tendons and nerves and blood vessels - all or which would have been affected somewhat by the injury and have healed by scar formation. Right inside is your plate holding on to bone beneath. This has also scar tissue of healing which obviously is not visible to the naked eye. Scar tissue and its embedded components can cause pain off and on. Rarely there can be issues with the plate and its hold on the bone. If the bone has not healed well enough - plates can loosen or break. My suggestion - get a review by your doctor , he may get new x-rays. If all is OK anatomically physical therapy may help to relieve your pai.
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Cardiologist,  Dr. Anantharamakrishnan's  Response
Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

It is not clear - when were the plates and screws were put in.
If recent, you should see the orthopaedician immediately - infection, malposition, dislodgement...

Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
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Have Plates And Screw In Forearm. Having Sudden Pain. What Could It Be?

Hi, a plate is the best way to fix to parts of a broken bone so that it joints in proper alignment. Looking at your arm from outside you would have skin and the surgical scar. This covers a layer of muscle, tendons and nerves and blood vessels - all or which would have been affected somewhat by the injury and have healed by scar formation. Right inside is your plate holding on to bone beneath. This has also scar tissue of healing which obviously is not visible to the naked eye. Scar tissue and its embedded components can cause pain off and on. Rarely there can be issues with the plate and its hold on the bone. If the bone has not healed well enough - plates can loosen or break. My suggestion - get a review by your doctor , he may get new x-rays. If all is OK anatomically physical therapy may help to relieve your pai.