9 weeks post surgery. Pins visible, help!!
Posted , 5 users are following.
I broke my fibular at my ankle and tore the ligament attaching the fibular and tibia nearly 10 weeks ago. I had surgery and 7 pins inserted to support the bone/ligament. A week ago I had the all clear to "ween myself off the boot and then the crutches" about 2 days after this i started to feel three of the pins through my skin, it isn't painful but I am just worried. I was wondering if anyone has had the same experience? Its probably just because the pins are in my ankle and there's not as much fat/skin there so I don't want to waste time getting an xray etc if it's common. I have rang my gp and the hospital that I had the surgery but neither were very helpful.
Look forward to reading your replys!
Sally
0 likes, 8 replies
Kimmichanga sallyhrthomas
Posted
Hello! It seems that I have a similar injury to you! About 9 weeks ago, I fell and factured my distal fibula and tore my tibfib ligament (im not sure which one or how many). I have 7 screws and a plate. Anyways, along the way I've encountered and talked to a lot of people who also have had hardware put in places in order to heal an injury and some of them said that once the swelling had gone down a lot, they could feel some of the screws and parts of the plate through their skin. I haven't personally asked my doctor but one person I came across said they even asked their surgeon about being able to feel their screws and the doctor said it was normal and pretty common. I'd say to be concerned if it starts causing you any pain or discomfort.
Hope this helps!
Kim
sallyhrthomas Kimmichanga
Posted
Sally
Kimmichanga sallyhrthomas
Posted
Thanks! I'm currently in a cast and non weight bearing on week 9 of 12 weeks. One of my screw is syndesmotic and goes through both my tibia and fibula, so i'm not allowed to do any weight bearing or physio yet
Ceejay87 sallyhrthomas
Posted
Hi Sally
Hope you're recovering well! I've had screws etc. in both ankles after breaks and can feel a screw in my right. A few years ago I could feel one of the screws in my left and it was causing a bump in my skin and was tender. When I was having surgery for something else they decided to remove it as it was causing me discomfort and the break had fully healed. I think that unless it causes some pain or discomfort its ok to leave it and probably normal to feel some of the metal work through the skin, like you said, there's not a lot of fat/tissue on the feet so they are closer to the 'surface'.
This is just from my experience and I am not a surgeon or specialist! So if you're concerned you could try and book to see your surgeon or doctor.
Hope that helps a little
C
sallyhrthomas Ceejay87
Posted
sallyhrthomas Ceejay87
Posted
High-risk sallyhrthomas
Posted
daphne23784 sallyhrthomas
Posted
Hi Sally, I broke my tibia and fibula in February , had orif surgery, plate and screws. I can also feel part's of the plate and screws. In the beginning it was very tender due to the surgical incisions. It has definitely improve and I now can wear long boots without discomfort. The surgeon told me if my hardware continues to cause discomfort I can have it removed, but would have to wait for about a year. If it is not causing you any pain or discomfort don't worry about it. Good luck with your recovery.