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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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  • cheryl20075
    cheryl20075

    Posted

    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..
    • susan69134
      susan69134 cheryl20075

      Posted

      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.
  • kenneth_m
    kenneth_m cheryl20075

    Posted

    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

  • lesley77267
    lesley77267 cheryl20075

    Posted

    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
    • kenneth_m
      kenneth_m lesley77267

      Posted

      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
    • kenneth_m
      kenneth_m

      Posted

      Sorry it should say Lesley not Cheryl x
  • MagMarker
    MagMarker cheryl20075

    Posted

    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.

    • l22981
      l22981 MagMarker

      Posted

      Hi MagMaker,

      I recently had the same surgery. Two of my screws extend out of the other side of my tibia. It seems as if the exposed screw threads will cut the muscle surrounding the extened screws tips. I can feel the tenderness on that side of my leg. Did you have this experience? Like you, I simply don't want the metal in my body and hope to have them removed. My ankle is extremely tight and rigid. I am projected to return to work the last week in October. I had surgery 2 1/2 week ago and I'm already in an air boot. I'm following instructions by performing ankle stretching exercises. But, I can't imagine returning to the classroom so quickly. When did you begin therapy? I broke my right ankle. So, when we're you able to drive?

    • jennifer03886
      jennifer03886 MagMarker

      Posted

      Wow! Your situation gives me hope. Fell from a ladder August 2016 onto pavement and crushed talus. 1 rod up fibula, 2 big screws hooking fibula to tubula and a plate with about 12 pins in talus.  Constant pain and swelling if I walk or even stand more than half an hour. I'm a middle school teacher, so adjusting to wheelchair has been rough. My PT thinks maybe having hardware removed might get me out of pain.  Like I said, your story gives me hope.

      Thank you for sharing it!

  • Mastertony28
    Mastertony28 cheryl20075

    Posted

    Hi:

    Today is day 0 for me, just removed one long screw from my right ankle.

    It was there for approximately 2 years and it bothered me for that long.

    What can I expect for this recovery? Should I put weight on it? How long before walking/running ? Is there a specific diet I should follow? What about stationary bike? Do I need to wear crutches or a boot?

    I know the doctor told me no restriction on the weight I put on it, but I would like to hear other perspectives just to compare.

    Thank you guys! Let me know if more information is needed.

    • BarbR
      BarbR Mastertony28

      Posted

      How are you doing? I am thinking about the screw removal. It will be in one year in Jan. I have 2 screws and they stick out under my skin. They really hardly bother me but I don't like the look of them. I am also a senior citizen and it takes longer to heal. I wanted to know what your recovery was like?

  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK cheryl20075

    Posted

    Hi,

    Well we are all different.......glad that you are please with th removal.

    As I said in my post.......{about my plates and screws} If they aren't bothering me I'm not going to bother them. I have no pain at all although it was so bad when it happened, tibia, fibia etc smashed.

    The only pain I have is arthritis pain and that would have come anyway. {its 7 years ago they were put in} because I have arthritis everywhere else. Ankle, neck, hips...now 2 replacements, both knees, lower back etc]

    So Good luck everyone making the decision as to whether to have them taken out out now

    Love

    Eileen  UK

  • maggie08507
    maggie08507 cheryl20075

    Posted

    Just curious how you made out with the big screw. I too had plates n screws. And the big one holding the tibia and fibula together is to come out in 6 weeks. He says u can stand on it now but not walk because if it breaks half will stay in and he won't be able to get it out. I'm half way thru. Total of 12 weeks that I can't walk. I'm worried if I'm putting weight on it why can't I walk. But I'll listen. Just wondering if yours broke or if u left it in

  • ryder7
    ryder7 cheryl20075

    Posted

    Hi I'm 15 years old and I broke my fibula and tibia about a month and a half ago playing football. I got a couple of screws in my tibia and a plate in my fibula. I just got me cast off and I'm in a boot. Can I play football for a year with my pins and plates or work on any leg muscles with them in? I wanted to get them removed as soon as possible but the doctor said it would take 8 Months from surgery and football starts before that. Also since I'm younger is it better to get them removed so it doesn't bother me later? And has anyone got them removed in less than 8 months after surgery?

    • adam2367
      adam2367 ryder7

      Posted

      I'm 18 broke my leg and they had to put metal and screws in. When my cast came off and i was using my boot it took 2-3 weeks before my leg gained muscle again. I originally broke it playing football and went back to playing it.I also used went gym to push the muscles in my leg and regain ankle strength. Its been a year im basically fine you can play football (seriously) when you feel ready like 3-4 weeks after the boot. My doctor told me to wait for a year before removing the screws (i hate them) and am planning to take them out in the summer. 

    • BarbR
      BarbR ryder7

      Posted

      I still have mine in, after a year
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