Question
   Three years ago, at age 54, I fell and broke my hip.  I had surgery where three screws were put through the ball of my hip.  It has healed, and I am doing fine except for the fact that I can't lay on my right side---it's painful.  I'm assuming that the pain is the result of the screws pressing against the thigh tissue.
   Can the screws be trimmed or removed?  If so, what might the recovery period be like?
   Thank you very much for your time and expertise on this subject.  Nancy  

Answer
Hi Nancy

Unfortunately I am not an expert with the surgery you had in regard to pins.  Maybe though, I can give you some food for thought and you can run it by your doctor.  Here's my thoughts and maybe it will help.

Could it be that the screws are hitting a tendon or muscle?  Maybe there is a screw that is so slightly out of place that it is touching a nerve, muscle or tendon in one of your muscles.

Do screws in the hip loosen?  Maybe one of the screws is loosening and needs to be tightened or removed?

Is it possible that you may have some nerve damage in that area?  Do you feel any tingling or shooting pains when you lie on the right side?  If so, you might want to look into seeing a neurologist.

I hope that those questions ring a bell and you have some thoughts on your own to add.

Sharon