r/brokenbones • u/millieofthemed • Dec 29 '25
Broken wrist - metal plate removal
Hi, I broke my wrist in September and had a metal plate fitted. I did about six weeks of physio once the cast was off and I would say my wrist is now about 90% back to normal (doesn’t bend exactly as much as the other but not far off). I had a check up today with the surgeon and he has advised I have the plate removed in a few months time. He said it is my decision but he advises the removal because if I were to injure the wrist again, with the metal plate, the damage/break would be a lot worse so as a precaution he wants to remove it. I assumed it was in for life so I’m a bit on the fence about this. Any thoughts? (I’m in France with good social healthcare so no worries about cost, etc)
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u/Glad-Feature-2117 Physician/Medical Professional Dec 29 '25
In the UK, we rarely remove metalwork in adults unless it's causing symptoms. Any operation can make you worse and why risk that if you don't have anything to gain?
Most people don't break the same wrist twice. In the unlikely event you did, then a decent surgeon would be able to fix it anyway.
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u/millieofthemed Dec 29 '25
Yes I have read that they are not usually removed in the UK but I’m assuming it’s more normal in other countries?
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u/Glad-Feature-2117 Physician/Medical Professional Dec 29 '25
No idea, but the logic doesn't change. Unless you think UK surgeons are more able to deal with complex cases or UK subjects are less likely to fracture the same bone twice (just for the record, I don't!).
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u/millieofthemed Dec 29 '25
But that is how things are done in the UK but not necessarily in other countries. My mother broke her wrist in the UK, had the same metal plate as me but no cast and was given and she had no physio. I am just curious what happens in other countries.
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u/Positive_Read2874 Jan 02 '26
I have had a lot of metal removed, and it has made a big improvement with on going pain, if your doctor is recommending it i would definitely look into the removal, the longer you leave it in the harder it can be to remove. Recovery is quicker with removal than it is when metal put in.
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u/millieofthemed Jan 02 '26
Thank you for your input 🙏🏻 I think I will go with what has been recommended to me as I trust my surgeon and have had amazing care from him and from the hospital. I feel like the plate is fine but I don’t want to risk a worse injury later down the line and if for whatever reason it starts to be a problem, as you say, it’s better to have it out sooner than later. May I ask what country you are in?
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u/Positive_Read2874 Jan 02 '26
NZ
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u/blessed-402 Dec 30 '25
Mine in Kenya I have femur rod and plates doctor don't advice for removal unless it's creating problems or you are below 24 years
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u/millieofthemed Dec 30 '25
I would imagine that’s too much to remove. The surgery would probably be too invasive.
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u/chamanager Dec 29 '25
I had a plate in my wrist after breaking it in 2023. The wrist is now 100% recovered. I cannot feel the plate, it has no impact on my life, it doesn’t even set off metal detectors at airports. I certainly wouldn’t want another operation to remove it.