Table 2

Proportions of agreement and disagreement in statements about general attitudes towards implant removal.

Statement

n

I strongly agree

I agree

I don't know

I disagree

I strongly disagree

Orthopedic implants must be removed in younger patients (<40 years of age), even if they cause no problems

645

39 (6.0%) [4.3–8.2%]

200 (31.0%) [27.5–34.7%]

33 (5.1%) [3.5–7.1%]

297 (46.0%) [42.1–50.0%]

76 (11.8%) [9.4–14.5%]

Leaving implants in-situ poses a risk for later fractures

645

15 (2.3%) [1.3–3.8%]

212 (32.9%) [29.3–36.6%]

104 (16.1%) [13.4–19.2%]

287 (44.5%) [40.6–48.4%]

27 (4.2%) [2.8–6.0%]

Titanium implants are safer to be kept in-situ than devices made from stainless steel

647

48 (7.4%) [5.5–9.7%]

252 (38.9%) [35.2–42.8%]

180 (27.8%) [24.4–31.4%]

148 (22.9%) [19.7–26.3%]

19 (2.9%) [1.8–4.5%]

In case of otherwise unexplained pain and functional deficits, implant removal is a good option to improve the physical status

646

51 (7.9%) [5.9–10.2%]

394 (61.0%) [57.1–64.8%]

78 (12.1%) [9.7–14.8%]

111 (17.2%) [14.4–20.3%]

12 (1.9%) [1.0–3.2%]

Leaving implants in-situ increases the life-time risk for chronic infections, allergy, and cancer

649

15 (2.3%) [1.3–3.8%]

107 (16.5%) [13.7–19.6%]

150 (23.1%) [19.9–26.6%]

310 (47.8%) [43.9–51.7%]

67 (10.3%) [8.1–12.9%]

Removing implants is a surgical procedure which drains valuable hospital resources

644

114 (17.7%) [14.8–20.9%]

436 (67.7%) [63.9–71.3%]

21 (3.3%) [2.0–4.9%]

71 (11.0%) [8.7–13.7%]

2 (0.3%) [0.0–1.1%]

Removing implants damages healed soft tissue, and is riskier than retaining the device

643

29 (4.5%) [3.0–6.4%]

281 (43.7%) [39.8–47.6%]

75 (11.7%) [9.3–14.4%]

243 (37.8%) [34.0–41.7%]

15 (2.3%) [1.3–3.8%]

Given the time and efforts required for implant removal, this procedure is not adequately reimbursed by insurance companies

642

46 (7.2%) [5.3–9.4%]

190 (29.6%) [26.1–33.3%]

285 (44.4%) [40.5–48.3%]

112 (17.4%) [14.6–20.6%]

9 (1.4%) [0.6–2.6%]

Patients should take responsibility for the incurring costs of implant removal

642

15 (2.3%) [1.3–3.8%]

109 (17.0%) [14.2–20.1%]

91 (14.2%) [11.6–17.1%]

328 (51.1%) [47.1–55.0%]

99 (15.4%) [12.7–18.5%]

n = number of available answers. Percentages in brackets are 95% confidence intervals.

Hanson et al. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2008 9:73   doi:10.1186/1471-2474-9-73