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Screw is showing way out.. And hurts

Posted , 5 users are following.

tracy94313
tracy94313

Hi.. i have been thinking that my screw is coming out of my ankle, it sticks out way too much, specially when i first wake up and is not swollen. I have been WB since Aug 8th.. but am still not walking with one crutch, and cant bend leg,because knee feels like it is coming forward in.. and have to sleep with a pillow up high for that.. I go for xray on Oct 3rd.. cant wait.. this happened May 22 , i have a nail and 5 screws.. broke the Tib Fib.. he said i was luckey because it was rite at the bottom of ankle..oh yeah and was open fracture.. has anyone seen there screw sticking out, im very worried and i think i should be walking by now, am i wrong ? i am walking and WB all the time, it swells rite away, i hope i dont have to have surgery, very worried. Oh am hoping to show pic of it when not swollen.. mabey first thing  tomorrow.rolleyes

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • jan30278
    jan30278 tracy94313

    Posted

    Tracy- so sorry for your break adn discomfort.  My bimalleolar injury of right ankle was the end of July- was in a cast 7 weeks, and now a boot for 7 more weeks- I am partial wt bearing - 50 % now.  I alos have the plate, 5 screws adn then 2 screws in the inner ankle.  I have a constant sensation that my inner ankle screw(s) are coming out but there is still a lot of swelling and I just cannot even stand the thought of touching it.  My inner ankle is very sensitive to anything touching it- up to about 5 inches of my shin on that side.  I sleep with a pillow between my legs and so my foot hangs off of it and does not touch any sheets, pillow or anything... 

    Your injury sounds similar to mine (break was also at bottom of the bone)- so it seems like you should be walking- but obviously all situations are different so your healthcare team is better able to assess that.  Are you going to PT? 

    I have been doing range of motion exercises w/ the ankle and my knee is slowly able to be bent, but not by much.  From what I understand the swelling can last for a long time- up to over a year.   Again, we are all different- I have lots of swelling after I am up on it for 10 minutes.  I have been using a polar ice foot/ ankle foot wrap in the evenings and it feels super good.  I bought 2 of them so one is always cold and ready to go!  I hope that you can get answers- keep us posted on your xray and recovery.

    • tracy94313
      tracy94313 jan30278

      Posted

      Thankyou Jan..We do sound alike. I have not gone to PT, i have no way of getting there, and we are not fully covered, just doing the ROM at home,Good luck on your recovery and yes i will keep you posted..I too have the polar ice wrap which helps alot, i guess this will just be a slow process but as they say this too shall pass.Get well soon and take care .
  • valerie0802
    valerie0802 tracy94313

    Posted

    Ever since my trimalleolar injury on August 2nd, I have followed this forum.  It seems to me that there are a lot of people out there that are suffering and without good information regarding ankle injuries, the surgeries that try to correct them, post op pain management, progonosis, support systems, and long term recovery.  I am amazed at the many and diverse issues and problems that we face, without much good information.  I am comforted to some extent in finding that some of what I am going through is shared, but more disturbed by the fear and uneasiness that is fomented by lack of information and/or realistic and frank discussions with health care providers. I don't expect anyone to have a crystal ball, but giving me even a vague timeline would be better than nothing. This is compounded by our significant others' expectations that we should somehow be healing more quickly than we are, not understanding why we still have pain, or swelling, or limping, or still using crutches after "a long time" -- in my case, almost two months.  I have the greatest empathy for everyone who posts or replies here, sharing their frustration, concerns, questions, advice, sympathy.  

    I am so fortunate to have decent health insurance and flexible employment. And I don't have small children to take care of.  And that I am able to hire someone to do some minimal housecleaning so this place doesn't look like a bomb has exploded.  I'm starting PT tomorrow, to improve range of motion and start some very light weight bearing.  I can't wait.  

    • tracy94313
      tracy94313 valerie0802

      Posted

      I too agree with everybody being different.. but i too would like more information as well. Last time i went in he said get rid of the boot and the crutches.. i could not even begin to walk.guess i will be healing slow, i have not gone to PT as i have no transportation, and am not fully covered, but am doing excersises at home .Good Luck on PT and ty for replying. Take Care mf.. a speeding recovery to you.
    • jan30278
      jan30278 valerie0802

      Posted

      Valerie, I agree about the information.  I go to a world renowned hospital in NC to a leading foot and ankle specialist-  and have been surprised about the lack of education provided.  Do not get me wrong- the team has been excellent in my care and I was told this injury is a tough one and could take 'up to a year' to be 'normal' and that I would probably get 90% of my range of motion back and more than likely have arthritis w/in 10 years.  Was also told that I would be out of work for 12 weeks adn no driving until after the boot.

      Otherwise any educational info provided was handouts and not good.  I was told by the MD that I did not have to sleep with the boot, yet the written info provided said I should sleep with it.  Things like that drive me nuts.  Was told to do "ROM" excercises.  Well I know what ROM stands for but I am not sure everyone would know that.... and then no information on exactly what ROM exercises to do!  So I looked on utube and an doing what I think is best.  I will start PT after the boot is off (14 total weeks w/ cast and boot).  So I agree- adn I am like you with the very good insurance but have been disappointed at the education of what to expect (tho was warned of numbness and swelling for a long time)

      and specifics of beginning walking and things to look for that may not be normal.

      With that being said, I am so thankful for this forum- and I honestly do not thing the medical folks really "know" exactly what to expect unless they have been in these 'cast, or boots, or have had surgery'- if that makes sense.  At least mine did give me a vague timeline but were clear in that I was told, everyone is different and heals at different paces.....  I was not warned about onging pain-

      Anyway- I appreciate your post- made me think ...

      Take care and hope that PT goes well for you!!!  Keep us posted- I am looking forward to that but i hear it can 'smart'!  No pain, no gain.

  • mary4013
    mary4013 tracy94313

    Posted

    Years ago when I had my accident. I had two screws that worked their way out. I had to have then removed. If it's sticking out more than normal your doctor will most likely remove it. Best of luck...

  • sue61444
    sue61444 tracy94313

    Posted

    I had a similar injury on May 14th. It took me 3 weeks to go from crutches to none..Am now walking slowly with a 5-6/10 pain and a limp although it seems a bit better today.

    My specialist said screws can stick out on thinner people and if they area a hassle they can be removed - not a big deal.An op but not as big as original.

    I have been doing heaps of rehab aimed at getting range of movement + swelling down.

    Mine still swells so I  lie upside down and do my ankle exercises or lie with ice on it. It is getting better.

    Dont stay on anti imflammatories long unless you have pills to protect your stomach. I got an ulcer and big bleed and needed transfusions and could have died.I was silly and stayed on them 3 months.

    • sue61444
      sue61444

      Posted

      Ps - an exercise bike is great to get fit and get ankle movement - start not much resistance and work up.
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