What is your experience of hardware?

Foot care
1

Hello,

I had my ankle surgery on Jan 14 and the metal plate with 4 screws is to remain there.  I am still in pain but can walk with one crutch.

I am curious to know what are people's experiences and opinions on hardware?  Did you have any further trouble because the hardware wasn't removed?  What is best, keeping it or removing it?  Have you researched or dicussed it with your doctor?

Thanks,

Molly (UK)

2

Hi I'm from the UK too,

I'm still in my cast at the moment but did ask what the purpose of keeping the hardware in was and the disadvantages of getting it taken out. And didn't really get an answer for either.

My neighbour got his taken out because he could feel it and he's absolutely fine now. And I know someone who kept it in albeit a lot older than my neighbour and she has been fine with it. Although she did mention electric like shocks now and again.

3

Hi Molly,

I had my surgery on June 15 and I am keeping my hardware. But maybe in my surgery I have to. Mine is fine with the hardware. I even mowed the lawn yesterday with a push mower. It hurt when I did that. But it is good now. I have 11 pins and one plate . Good luck Molly. I hope that more people respond to you on this forum.

4

Hi Molly, I'm also from the UK. I had ORIF surgery for Trimalleolar damage and ligament damage April 2nd, I'm obviously still in a cast. I however have an area of wound that isn't healing and when I saw my doctor last week she said if by my six week check it still hasn't healed then she will book me in for surgery to remove the hardware on the lateral Malleolar as she thinks that is causing the problem. I asked if there would be any issues with removing it and she said no just possible longer healing. However it has healed she will leave it alone rather than open up the wound again.

in one way I think I'd like it out as I've heard from people that they can feel it rubbing in boots etc. One lady I know had hers removed and has no problems.

i think we have to go with our doctors advice as to the pros and cons of surgery , as we all heal individually. However I wish the medics would share more advice and information. Thank goodness for forums such as this.

Hazel 🙂

5

Hello Molly

I had ankle surgery and I'm having lots of pain

With the inside hardware. I have hardware on the left side and the right side of my ankle. The right side don't hurt, but the left side do. I still can't

Walk with my foot flat on the ground. I have to hop

On it. I have to get another doctor opinion about it.

It was alot of pain the 1st time. Good luck to you!

Thank you

6

Hello Veronica,

When did you have your surgery?

Yes, it is awfully painful to begin with and no one can do it without painkillers.  

What did your doc say?  Are you going to keep the hardware or are you having another operation for it to be removed?

It is a painful and slow progress.  We are all on the same boat.

Let us know how you are doing,

Molly

7

Hello Molly

Thanks for replying back. My surgery was 2 years ago. The bones healed well, but the one area where the screw is, I think is coming out. The skin is broken no and it hurts. I did go to one doctor, but I want to get another opion to be sure what should be done.

Thank you

8

Hi Molly

I suffered a trimalleolar comminuted pilon fracture

(Shattered Tibia/fibula) on Jan 16/17 with ORIF surgery the following day. I have 2 plates and 19 screws which my surgeon said will not be removed.

I am fully weight bearing, no crutches etc at this point. I do feel discomfort & stiffness , not sure if it's the plate or screws on the fibula side - really hoping this improves over time . Interested in following your post to see what others have experienced.

Good luck with your recovery

Elle

9

Hello Hazel,

Hope you are doing better than yesterday.

I understand you still have a cast.  Is it up to your knee?

Which part of it is not healing?

How long did you have this cast for?

Yes, people say they can feel the metal plate and screws

but I don't think I do although I continue to be in pain.

How one could know if the pain is caused because of the hardware

or if it is part of the healing process?

Progress is slow Hazel but  we keep getting better.

We are all on the same boat.  Let us know you are doing,

Molly

10

Hello Veronica,

Having to go back after 2 years must be quite a concern to you.

What did exactly made you think that something was wrong?

Molly

11

I broke my ankle 11 1/2 months ago and had surgery with 7 scres and a plate in the Fibula and a screw in the Tibia.

 The initial 6 months I noticed the hardware because it seemed to attract the cold. I windsurf and got back into that at 6 months.At times I think I can feel the pate moving sideways.It doesn't hurt just feels a bit weird.

 I asked the specialist about having the hardware removed ( if it causes problems in the cold this winter). It sounds like no big deal although they do cut you again to get them out . You can weight bear although have to curtail activites a little for the 6 weeks odd for it to heal ( I bushwalk etc).

 At the moment mine is fine so I will only have it removed if it attracts the cold ( it's Autumn here so I'll have to wait and see).

I had some issues with scar tissue tearing ands fascia pulling apart over the last few months but my chiro says thats good as it lines up along the lines of force / use. She says too many people sit around and don't do anything after an injury ( weight bearing stage onwards) because they are worried about a bit of pain but it's better to start doing the activities you used to do as soon as it is safe ( ask the specialist).

Just the last week or so mine is feeling normal again . I even went on a bushwalk with a lot of  rockscrambling up gullies etc and I forgot all about it..So it should get better..

 

12

Boy I wish you could edit the posts after you post! Sorry about the spelling errors..lol's

13

Hi Molly- I had a bimalleolar fix in July - cont to have pain at upper and lower part of plate and some nerve pain on medial side. OS gave me a steroid injection in Jan hoping it would help- it did for about 6 weeks . I had all hardware removed 10 days ago. My OS does not remove it unless there are cont issues

14

Hi Sue,

Thanks.  It is interesting all what you say.  But the plate ought not be moving or you feeling it when it moves...  I don't think I can feel mine but maybe later, when I am more active I will and, feel the cold too, as you say.

No, I don't wish to go through another cuttingg and healing business.

It is nearing 4 months now and still the scars are tender; they sort of pull as the skin is stretched and shinny smooth there.

For me is early days I guess.  Although I try to walk without crutches but not for long.  It isn't really walk what I am doing.  It looks as if I am lame.

There is a tough swollen part around the ankle that doesn't allow full mouvement. 

Well done for keeping up with the activities you enjoy and forget about it. 

Not to worry about spelling mistakes.  We all make them especially when one types fast. :-)

Molly

15

Thanks Jan.

How are you healing after the removal?

Is it as painful as it was after the first surgery?

In UK they don't seem to want to revove it.  

That is the reason I ask people where they are.

Get well soon and drop us a few lines to let us know your progress when you can.

Molly

16

Elle,

You had your surgery about the same time as me but I can't really walk for long without crutches.  The part around the ankle is still quite stiff and hurts so, I end up with a 'lame walk'.

I guess you aren't in UK if the doc intends to go ahead with removal.

Wish you a good recovery,

Molly

17

Veronica,

Can you feel the screw or you are just assuming?

Hope you have an x-ray soon for them to find out what the matter is.

I wonder if these cuts will remain sensitive.  Mine still hurt and pull.

It is good to have a 2nd opinion and maybe an x-ray too.

Wish you feel better soon,

Molly

18

Yvonne,

Glad to hear you are OK with the hardware.

I feel more reassured now :-)

Keep well and thanks for posting,

Molly

19

Chazma,

My doctor didn't tell me much either about why is good or not to keep the hardware.  

I guess we will have to wait and see.

If it starts troubling us might end up with surgery of removal and,

I don't like the idea of another surgery!

Get well soon,

Molly

20

Electric like shocks now and again!? AHHHH! I haven't felt that yet.