I saw my orthopedic oncology surgeon last week for a final visit, mostly to wrap up, discuss a knee injury from falling, and let him know if I wanted to have permanent nerve deadening. I've nerve damage that runs down the front of my leg and can be really annoying. Because I didn't want another procedure, and am not ready for a new event, I opted out.
He said the bone has grown at the plate, showed me on x-ray, and mentioned he could take out the hardware if I wanted. It would not change the nerve damage obviously. Was so surprised that I just said no without further inquiry. Now I'm wondering what the upside of doing that would be.
As it is now, the hardware gets in the way of images. Is there any other advantage? Is the procedure difficult? What in general are the upsides and downsides of having the hardware removed?
Finally, what thoughts do people here have on permanently deadening nerves? Not feeling my leg all the time, pain when it's more than lightly touched, would be nice, but ... I'm wary. Without feeling, I' concerned that I wouldn't know if my leg was on fire! My surgeon said ya, I'd smell it
Thanks!
