The treatment of a secondary fracture after plate removal is related to the condition of its fracture. External fixation, such as casting, is preferred in mild cases; in severe cases, surgical reduction is required.
Patients with secondary fractures after plate removal often have a plate that interferes with the plasticity of the implanted bone, making it susceptible to fracture when subjected to violent blows or heavy loads.
If the fracture surface of the secondary fracture is flat and the broken end is not displaced, conservative and external fixation treatment can be preferred, i.e., the fracture is fixed with plaster, splints and other external fixation bandages.
If there is displacement or angular deformity of the secondary fracture, surgical treatment is often considered, i.e., cut the fracture and fixate it again with a longer and stronger plate or bone grafting from one’s own iliac bone.
It is recommended that patients with secondary fractures after the removal of a plate should seek prompt medical attention, and a treatment plan should be formulated according to their condition in order to optimize the prognosis.