Hardware removal from ankle
Posted , 7 users are following.
i broke my tibia and displaced my ankle last October. I had a metal plate and 7 screws placed. Since then I've have trouble walking and pain where the metal has been placed. The surgeon recommend I get the metal removed. Can anyone who has had it removed tell me how long recovery time is after? I was off work for 6 weeks with the initial surgery. how long will I be off work this time? And also did the removal help?
0 likes, 13 replies
collette125 sarah94188
Posted
hi Sarah I had a similar injury to you, and I got my surgery and pins and metal plate 2 years ago, I like you also had pain with my metal work. I got my metal work took out this June and i was off work for 4 weeks the operation itself is quick and easy but people heal differently would have been roughly 2-3 weeks healing time!
collette125 sarah94188
Posted
And the removal has certainly helped me I can even wear ankle boots again which i couldnt before as the metal work was uncomfortable!
Lulu_1949 sarah94188
Posted
hi, my son broke his fibia and tibia 14 years ago went from bolts and screws to having two fusions to having a replacement ankle two years ago and believe it or not he is still in pain. so sorry to hear about your pain, it breaks my heart when i see my son coping with his.
Bailey12 Lulu_1949
Posted
Hi, i was told by my orthopedic surgeon that as I have no cartilage in my talus and arthritis in the ankle I can have either a fusion or ankle replacement in the next few years, when the pain becomes unbearable to live with so I can understand how you and your son must be feeling. All this from a little trip up 2 stairs 😬
Lulu_1949 Bailey12
Posted
HI Bailey12, Yes i know what you mean you wouldn't think you could do so much damage with a small trip......my son fell off the third rung of a ladder. It was the way he fell. I feel he needs to have the ankle replaced again because surely there must be a way to stop the pain, i think he has arthritis in it as well. How old are you if you dont mind me asking, my son is 42.
Bailey12 Lulu_1949
Posted
Hi
I'll be 53 later this year. I've been struggling with it for the past 4 years. The bones healed but I've never recovered full range of movement despite loads of physiotherapy. They told me 2 years ago that I had arthritis and would need fusion or replacement within 5 years. I'm constantly in pain and taking tramadol and naproxen during the day and amitrippline at night. It just seems never ending. I hope your son gets rid of the pain soon.
Lulu_1949 Bailey12
Posted
hi, yes he was also on those tablets , is still on tablets I believe he is one of the youngest to have an ankle replacement. Apparently they don't like doing it under 60 years old because they don't last as long as a hip replacement , they said it would need replacing again after approx. 5 years. As you say its the pain, he says that he has to sit on the bed for quite a while in the morning before getting out cos he then has to motivate himself to get his foot going as it seems to be stiff after resting. Will keep you posted. x
Bailey12 Lulu_1949
Posted
My orthopedic surgeon said the same about the age thing but he said that doesn't mean i can't have one. He retires in 2 years and I'd really like him to do the surgery. He has left my referral open so I don't need to go through my gp if I need to see him again i can just phone for an appointment. Definitely takes me a bit of time to get ankle moving when I've been resting or off my feet for a while. Physio also told me yesterday that most of my footwear give no support as I usually wear uggs, converse and flip-flops so going to dig out some trainers and try them.
Lulu_1949 Bailey12
Posted
hi, yes my son wears trainers, he says these are best , when he wore flip-flops on holiday he was in agony.
sandra91776 sarah94188
Posted
Im 8 weeks post op from broken ankle with screws and another long screw threw back of my ankle from one side to other to stabilize
my doctor said last week i could have the stabilizing screw removed.
I just started FWB in boot last week up until i started walking i had no pain now i have pain but figure that is normal seeing i havent walked n 7 weeks
but today its extra sore so Im going to start using it less I START PT tomorrow
This is worst injury ive ever had not used to not walking and im have very busy life
I FEEL for everyone going through this I wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy
monique42871 sarah94188
Edited
HI,
i had a very bad trimalleor break with 2 plates and 14 pins in april of 2018. i also had pain and limited range of motion so in december 2018, i had them removed...best decision ever. after a few days of really taking it easy, i was allowed to weight bear as tolerated using crutches then a cane. i was also in a walking boot. after 3 weeks, I returned to work . the pain was not bad at all and after about 6 weeks i was out of the boot and walking well. Good luck to you
Bailey12 sarah94188
Posted
Hi
I broke tib and fib just over 4 years ago, had 2 plates and 9 pins in right ankle. Had all but 2 pins removed a year later and was off work 3 weeks. I was just over 5 months after ORIF. A few months ago I had a bone spur removed and ankle tidied up and was back at work in 3 weeks. Unfortunately I now have arthritis and can look forward to either a fusion or ankle replacement in the next few years.
sandra91776 sarah94188
Posted
I Started PT today I had my doubts about how effective it would be but quite pleased with my therapy plan
My hope is that in 6 weeks I will be walking with no boot, no crutches
The pain may last longer but i can deal with that
I finally see light at end of tunnel
I do have concern that no one addresses the mental part of this injury After surgery you park your butt on the couch and deal with it
Cut off from day to day activity is difficult
My first two weeks after surgery I was on house arrest Couldn't do much of anything
i went into deep depression which is not my personality at all.
More needs to be done to address the mental aspect of this injury.