Question
I am 14 weeks post flat foot reconstruction. So far, my recovery is uncomplicated. I am full weight bearing in a boot, soon to transfer to a shoe. I do not appear to have any problems from the screws for the calcaneal or cotton osteotomy and there is no plan to remove them. If they give me problems, the doctor would not remove them for a least 5 months. I have been following my post op instructions and so far am very happy with the surgeons willingness to answer questions as they arise. He responds to emails the same day. A coworker had the same combination of proceedures that I had. She went to a different doctor and is 9 weeks post op. When the cast was removed last week, her doctor automatically removed the screws and then put her in a boot partial weight bearing. I was really suprised that the screws were removed so soon and when they were not causing any problems. I know that at 8 weeks, my calcaneal osteotomy was healing nicely but not completely healed. Can't removing the screws early create problems? Is there any reason to remove screws automatically even if they are not causing any problems? I was just curious what your opinion about screw removal is.  

Answer
I'm with your surgeon...I don't remove screws unless they're causing pain or a problem.

All the best,
Andrew Schneider, DPM

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