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Post Op - screw removal

Posted , 31 users are following.

cheryl20075
cheryl20075

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.

0 likes, 53 replies

53 Replies

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  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK cheryl20075

    Posted

    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.wink

    I was told that it was unlikely to do any harm so my attitude was.....well if they dont bother me I wont bother themcheesygrin

    Everything has been fine since....like you I didnt fancy a second operation  lol

    Love

    Eileen   UK

    • cheryl20075
      cheryl20075 eileen64__UK

      Posted

      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
  • steph67
    steph67 cheryl20075

    Posted

    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.

    • Donsgirl89
      Donsgirl89 steph67

      Posted

      How long was

      Your recovery

      After

      Screw

      Were

      Out i am getting ready

      To remove sctews because they cause

      Pain i am aegic to them

    • Guest
      Guest Donsgirl89

      Posted

      Hi Donsgirl89,

      I had a long plate and 9 screws out of my tibia 4 weeks ago, 18 months after having it fitted.

      The terrible pain I'd had every day was gone the next day. I couldn't believe how normal I felt and how relieved! I didn't need any pain killers. They followed the original scar and it's so neat.

      I was told to use crutches as the bone would be brittle as it had holes which needed to heal and it would take 6 weeks for full recovery but I stopped using the crutches after 2 weeks but was careful and I'm now back in my heels for the first time in 18 months. I am so happy I had it removed.

      Good luck with your surgery.

      JB x

    • Donsgirl89
      Donsgirl89 Guest

      Posted

      Thank you for all the info I talked to my doctor n I am able to walk out

      With crutches 

  • susan69134
    susan69134 cheryl20075

    Posted

    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.

  • andy_73811
    andy_73811 cheryl20075

    Posted

    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.

    • sue21470
      sue21470 andy_73811

      Posted

      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

  • susan69134
    susan69134 cheryl20075

    Posted

    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.
  • cheryl20075
    cheryl20075

    Posted

    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... 
    • susan69134
      susan69134 cheryl20075

      Posted

      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.

  • andy_73811
    andy_73811 cheryl20075

    Posted

    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.

    • cheryl20075
      cheryl20075 andy_73811

      Posted

      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...
    • andy_73811
      andy_73811 cheryl20075

      Posted

      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

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