What is the ruling on inserting a gold rod into a patient's leg instead of amputating it?

The questioner : What is the ruling on inserting a gold rod into the leg instead of amputating it?

The Shaykh : Inserting a gold rod!

The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh: Is this a hypothetical question or a real one?

The questioner : In reality.

The Shaykh : If it is for the purpose of treatment, then it is permissible without a doubt. This is because, as we have mentioned more than once, a man from the Companions named 'Urfajah ibn Sa'd came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He had been injured in the nose in a battle in the pre-Islamic age of ignorance called the Battle of Kalb. He made a nose out of silver, but it began to stink. This is the nature of silver with moisture, just as the nature of iron and copper is to produce some rust. As you know, the rust of iron is red, while the rust of silver and copper is green. So this nose of his, which was made of silver, began to stink. He complained of his situation to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who ordered him to make a nose out of gold. It is not hidden from anyone that making a nose out of gold is not a case of dire necessity permitting the forbidden, because the person whose nose tip was lost can live without placing a regular metal nose tip, whether it be gold or otherwise. However, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) permitted him to make a nose out of gold instead of a nose of silver to avert the harm resulting from restoring the nose to approximately the state in which Allah created it. If that is the case, then inserting a gold rod into a broken leg, if medical necessity requires it, is absolutely permissible, because permitting this is more justified than permitting a nose of gold. But I am asking now: this gold rod, it must be expensive, right? Does that mean there is no medical alternative to it, such that it can be replaced by something cheaper? Who asked this question, and does he know the answer to what I asked? Yes.

The questioner : ...meaning a substance that prevents corrosion.

The Shaykh : Meaning there is no metal cheaper than it.

The questioner : I do not know.

Another questioner : ...I believe there is no alternative, because the other thing causes sensitivity and the body does not accept it.

The Shaykh : Meaning other than platinum.

The questioner : Yes, exactly.

The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah who made ease in the matter. Yes.

The questioner : ...evidence of permissibility...

The Shaykh : ...How can evidence be brought when there is an explicit text prohibiting it? This combination: this is a specific text that does not conflict with the other specific text. This is like those who said, "Selling is like usury or interest." So the answer came: Allah has made selling lawful and has forbidden usury or interest. So He permitted this and forbade that. Yes.