I had a fall on Friday 13th Feb and surgery followed. I have a plate and 8 pins down my fibula and one longer screw further down. The plate and screws are destined to stay in place but there seems to be conflicting information on the longer screw. The consultants says the views swing as to if this should be removed. He says it won't cause any damage or harm if it breaks if I leave it In. Has anybody experienced this? If I can save another op that would be good. Or if anybody has had pin removed what happens after does it delay getting back on your foot. Thanks from a frustrated week four non weight bearing patient.
Hi
About 6 years ago, a car reversed and knocked me down, went over my ankle and then drove over my ankle.
I ended up with plates,screws and pins in that ankle {both sides} That was 6 years ago and they are still there.
I was told that it was unlikely to do any harm so my attitude was.....well if they dont bother me I wont bother them
Everything has been fine since....like you I didnt fancy a second operation lol
Love
Eileen UK
Thanks Eileen sounds like you went through a really rough time, glad you haven't had any issues with leaving the screws and plates in x
Hi
I broke my leg and had pins and plates on both sides of my ankle. One screw wasnt flat to the bone and was visable thro my skin. Complained to my consultant and had most metal work removed. Most wont remove until 18 months has gone by so the bones heal. Pins and plates removed using the same scars and was mobile within 2 weeks.
I fractured my fibula (ankle) and 5th metatarsal day before you. Metatarsal need screw in, but it wasn't put in till the 28th, I'm told mine must come out in a few months.
I too am non weight bearing, such a pain.
Hi there
I broke ankle in 3 places 6 months ago. 8 screws and plate remain. I had syndemosis screw removed (the one through tib and fib) and it had snapped. My movement was very limited until they got both ends out. Luckily it was too long and they could cut both sides to remove. Withn a week I had twice the movement of previousy. Still get massive swelling now after been on fett for a couple of hours. I limp still but can cycle and swim etc. no problem. Feels like it will never get back to norm and have pain and aches most of the time. Well worth having long screw as docs said wouldnt make any difference. Nearly fulll movement now after 6 months, and 2 months since long screw removed.
Week 8 since I broke my ankle & foot and 6 since the ORIF in the 5th metatarsal, got the cast off and given an air cast for walking only, gradual weight bearing as pain allows. Swells like mad if I'm upright too long, scar it very tender, ankle doesn't feel too bad when I press on it, but can't do the same on the foot, hurts too much. Can move the foot up and down but very little sideways movement yet, go back in four weeks.
Thanks all for your comments. I had my cast off yesterday after being non weight bearing for 7.5 weeks. Feels very strange, scar looks good, plenty of swelling but can walk with help of crutches. I have decided to leave screw across Tib/fib for now and see what happens. Now I await physio appointment as I have not been given any advise on what I should or shouldn't do yet...feels like just get out there and see what you can do...
What's your skin like? I seem to have loads come off each time I soak it and today the scab came off lol, at least it looks and feels better. Have they given you any support for your ankle or are you just in normal shoes?
I know I'm slightly different having broken foot and ankle, ankle's not too bad, but I'm glad of the air cast because the foot hurts like hell. Did manage to move the foot in very small circles today but only after soaking it in the bath for ages first, did some more walking with the crutches but haven't managed to increase the amount of weight I'm putting on my foot, ah well it's early days still so will try again tomorrow.
Hi
Yes I shed loads of skin after cast was removed. It was scary really as was losing about 6 layers of skn and it peeled in sheets. Skin back to normal now six months later. Scar looks very good too. But strangely have massive swelling in both sides of ankle after walking or standing for half hour or more. Aches alll the time but not too painful.
I am losing loads of skin too like fish scales, I guess as it's been hidden for so long it was inevitable. I haven't been given anything to walk in so mainly in bare feet as in the house. Have moved a bit this morning using just one crutch certainly easier after being in bed all night but as the day goes on swelling is increasing. I can put my weight on but have little movement. Up and down is ok but circles isn't happening yet...I am sure we will get there. Good to hear from others going through similar..
Hi Andy are you still under a hospital to ask about your swelling? Sometimes I feel ache rather than pain but I guess that's the trauma...
Been out to dinner tonight, first time since my fall, was talking to a man who's a consultant physiotherapist in Manchester (didn't know they had such things) anyway he was asking loads of questions, then advised me to only try to increase the circular foot movements when in the bath, as warm water will warm the joint up. Hope this is of help.
Hi Cheryl
Hospital have completely dicharged me. They stated swellin for a year is normal.I agree I get a lot of aches, more so than pains. I have nearly full movement in my foot since large bolt was removed. In my case that olt really did hold me back. However it was broken and the team said the broken screw was cutting in to my fibia and restricting movement. Ever case is different. I have not long woken today and my ankles are about the same size. At the end of today it will double in size. My life is nearly back to normal and I cycle 15 miles a day and swim a mile 4 times a week. I cant run though without a horrendous limp. Hope that will improve over time. If the swelling does get better in the next few months I will go back to docs. My ankle was originally broken in 3 place and my leg in 1. I still have the 8 bolts and plate and I have heard its not worth having it all out. They wont even consider it for at least a year after anyway. Hope your ankle continues to improve and the aches ease up. Take care all. Andy
Hi there
Great news too. I am to have pin and plate removed from upper humerus on 29.6.15 after op on 5.12.13 to repair my arm. I wish to
have more arm movement also. thanks for your words of support.
Kind wishes Sue
Hi Cheryl I broke my tibia n fibia I have plate with 8 screws in on my left leg left side it's healed nice butas of yet am still non weight bearing for 1 week more my problem is that on my right side I have 2 screws and they are very uncomfortable and hurt like hell do you think I could get them removed it's 6 weeks since the operation thanks in advance I'm dawn but am posting under my dad for some reason
Hi Cheryl I broke my left ankle this time last year and had to a plate and 7 screws on the out side of my ankle and 2 screws on the inside of my ankle . I had the plate and 7 screws remove and still have the 2 screws still in. I still have pain in my ankle and swelling . The inside of my ankle feeling like some one is tightening the screws all the time is this normal xx
Hi Cheryl I broke my tibia n fibia I have plate with 8 screws in on my left leg left side it's healed nice it's now 14 weeks and the ankle is still stiff the 2 screws can be removed but I have to wait another 7 weeks it's like torcher feels like they're being pushed in all the time . I did say the plate wasn't causing me any trouble but now I have trouble first thing when getting up side of foot with plate hurts to put down after couple of steps most times goes easier but it's very sore .I asked physiotherapy and she said it could be the screws in the plate aggravating me .my doctor put me on statins as I now have high cholesterol partly bought on by the trauma but 11 days in all my joints were so painful I stopped them as they can affect your muscles and I was trying to build muscle on ankle I feel this set me back been off them 2 weeks now and pain nearly gone in joints its bad enough trying get strong without pills making it worse luckily statinsonly affect a few people will let you know when screws come out thanks for reading good luck to you listing under my dad for some reason
Sorry it should say Lesley not Cheryl x
Nice to see all the experiences .. I broke my ankle in Feb of 2014 had ORIF surgery. 7 screws and a plate. 5 on the outside with the plate and 2 long ones on the inside. I was back to walking in about 3 mos. I was originally told that i wouldnt want to take the screws out and that it could break again, it wouldnt make a difference , I can live with them, or other complications.Well i held off for another year - constant pain throughout. This year I elected to have everything removed. It took sometime setting it all up. I finally had them removed last week Tuesday Aug. 9th 2016. By the 2nd day i kid you not I felt a huge difference. Today I am in week 2 of recovery and I feel the mobility is going to be there and I don't have the constant pain and pressure from the metal there anymore. There is pain of course at the points of entry but inside just achy. It's been a long road hopefully this will end up somewhat 90% . I will be doing another round of therapy and eating right is key. I highly recommend hardware removal .. flesh can't mend to metal..point blank. I hope this was helpful.