Can Cheekbone Reduction Plates and Screws Get Loose From Blunt Trauma?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Can you also ask the doctor that since cheekbone reduction involves the use of pins/screws and plates to secure the cheekbone, can these get knocked loose if there was blunt force facial trauma?

A: Hardware loosening in cheekbone reduction osyteotomies is generally a risk that would most likely occur if substantial facial trauma was sustained in the early healing phase. Once the bones are healed, hardware would be very unlikely to become dislodged by trauma.

Dr Barry Eppley

World Renowned Plastic Surgeon