1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Ankle Problems

Trimalleolar fracture

Posted , 8 users are following.

sharon180264
sharon180264

Hi all its great to read about all the different stages you are all going through.

My question is I'm 4 months post op but the screw from the inside of my ankle to the outside of ankle is showing under my skin quite a lot. Does anyone else have this problem or is it not normal?

Thanks in advance for replies

0 likes, 47 replies

47 Replies

Next
  • MsCamboot
    MsCamboot sharon180264

    Posted

    Hi Sharon.

    I have 2 screws in my inner ankle bone which I can feel digging in but I can't see the screw tops. It's around this area I get most of the pain and across the ankle joint front where I have a plate and several screws going across and up the tibia. I hope this isn't giving you any pain and I wish you well with your recovery. 🙂

    • sharon180264
      sharon180264 MsCamboot

      Posted

      Hi Mrs cam boot

      Yes the pain I have is inside ankle where the screw is and across the top. The plate with 7 screws on the outside of my ankle is painless but it's the end of the screw that pokes out and causes a bit of pain

    • MsCamboot
      MsCamboot sharon180264

      Posted

      Hi Sharon.

      My 2 screws are in the medial malleolus, it's the little bone that hangs down. This bone doesn't look as if it's fused on the X-ray and I doubt very much the screws could be removed. But again I can't see the screw tops. I haven't a computer so can't upload my X-ray.

  • ronUS
    ronUS sharon180264

    Posted

    Sharon, is this the long screw that is used when you have an injury to your syndesmosis?  That is what I have I, along with the a plate and screws on my fibula.  That long screw is coming out around the 12 week mark (I'm now at week 7).  That screw is usually removed, while the other hardware is left in unless it creates a problem.  Do you know if that is what you have?  Ron
    • sharon180264
      sharon180264 ronUS

      Posted

      Hi Ron I'm not sure it goes from inner ankle ball bit across to the outer ankle ball joint
    • sharon180264
      sharon180264

      Posted

      It does look like that screw though
    • ronUS
      ronUS sharon180264

      Posted

      I would ask my doctor, Sharon, if indeed that is a screw for your syndesmosis.  That screw is normally removed.
    • ronUS
      ronUS sharon180264

      Posted

      Here is an xray of my hardware.  That long screw is what I was referring to and will be removed. (Sorry, I can't seem to rotate the pic.)
    • sharon180264
      sharon180264 ronUS

      Posted

      Hi Ron

      It's not that screw mine comes from the other side and comes out in front of the long plate on the outside

    • ronUS
      ronUS sharon180264

      Posted

      ok, then maybe that screw in yours stays in.  Don't know.  But I would ask my doctor.  And if any hardware bothers you it can be removed after around 6 months I think.  They prefer not to remove it, but don't hesitate to go ahead with it if it bothers you.
  • shana_61181
    shana_61181 sharon180264

    Posted

    I can see most of my screws...the top of them stick up a bit. My physical therapist said it just depends on the person if you can see them or not.
    • shana_61181
      shana_61181 sharon180264

      Posted

      I am 12 weeks from surgery of bimalleolar fracture. By the way...I hate seeing those screws. They make me sick!
    • sharon180264
      sharon180264 shana_61181

      Posted

      So we are about the same post op I can't see any screws from the plate just the one from inside and it comes out in front of my plate
    • ronUS
      ronUS shana_61181

      Posted

      Shana, as I replied directly to Sharon above, those screws can be removed if they bother you.  After about 6 months I think.  Ron
    • shana_61181
      shana_61181 ronUS

      Posted

      Thank you. Your post had perfect timing. I had just had a crying spell. Sometimes I get overwhelmed about all of this. Not knowing what is normal and what isn't. The thought of removal terrifies me and the thought of keeping them does the same. Just not having a good day.
    • shana_61181
      shana_61181 sharon180264

      Posted

      No I can't see my screws from the plate neither. Hopefully it will get less sensitive for me and I will forget they are there. My doctor told me I need to "own" them. They are mine and that is what helped me heal but I hate them!
    • sharon180264
      sharon180264 shana_61181

      Posted

      Aww feel your distress I'm stuck in Bahrain with no family just husband who has to work it's been awful how are you doing with your walking?
    • shana_61181
      shana_61181 sharon180264

      Posted

      I am in a lace up brace with a tennis shoe. I can walk but not for long and not very far. It still swells some when I walk. How are you doing with walking?
    • sharon180264
      sharon180264 shana_61181

      Posted

      I wasn't given anything to wear I'm walking ok although limping and like you not far without pain and swelling
    • ronUS
      ronUS sharon180264

      Posted

      I will begin walking within the next 10 days or so.  Aren't you supposed to wear a bandage or something to keep the swelling down while you walk?  How long does that swelling/pain go on for??  Such a long ordeal this has been.  But we're all in the same boat.  Ron
    • shana_61181
      shana_61181 ronUS

      Posted

      Let me just say this ....I am not happy that there are other people with the same injury but I am so thankful for every post. It helps me to hear that the concerns of other people are mine also. I guess it just makes it feel ok for now. This is therapy for me smile
    • sharon180264
      sharon180264 ronUS

      Posted

      Hi

      Hospital gave me a support sock but this irritates my scars and mine still swells now week 14

    • ronUS
      ronUS sharon180264

      Posted

      I hear swelling continues for up to a year or more, more decreases each week/month.  Guess there is no way to speed up the body's healing when tissues are damaged.  I remember when I had bunion surgery the foot would swell a lot.  My doctor has already given me another refill of Percocet (though I never finished the first bottle), saying that I could very well need them in the coming weeks.  Don't like to take them, as afraid of getting addicted, but will if necessary.  My, they are nice, though, aren't they!!!?
    • patti123
      patti123 sharon180264

      Posted

      When do the scars heal? Does anyone know? Since I'm still in a cast and they have the steritape over my incision, I haven't had a chance to really see it much to know. When can we put aloe vera on it and vitamin E oil etc? What have you all done?
    • patti123
      patti123 ronUS

      Posted

      Do we need something that strong to get through the next phase and to start on our feet?  I know it will be painful, but how painful is it? Anyone who can help us with some info? I know it can be an individual thing, but there must be some info re. averages out there.  I have a trimal with plates/screws. 
    • MsCamboot
      MsCamboot patti123

      Posted

      Hi Patti.

      I was in 2 casts before the camboot. The second cast was split down the centre for me to remove with great care and difficulty at first. I applied body lotion to the leg, ankle and foot as you will find you have lots of peeling dry skin, along with swelling and stiffness. I was lucky to have stitches which dissolved and the scar healed quickly. Having the scar proves I've lived and haven't got a boring body. Haha you won't get what I mean without you see the Australian ad on TV. The scar doesn't bother me and I'm not conscious of having them on display. I don't try to make it fade etc. it's my mark of adventure haha.

    • ronUS
      ronUS patti123

      Posted

      Well, Patti, my scars look pretty good (after 6 weeks) so I don't think you'll have to worry about any hideous obvious scars.  Careful about putting anything on the scar til doctor says it's ok as the stuff (cream, oil, etc.) can be a breeding ground for bacteria and could seep into the cut if it's not 100% closed.  Not really sure how anything really helps the healing of scars, anyway.  But that's just my opinion.  I do use lotion on my leg and foot now to keep the skin supple and it just feels good to rub the darned thing.  I have my next follow-up this Thursday and will keep you all posted.  Getting really antsy.  Ron
    • sharon180264
      sharon180264 patti123

      Posted

      Hi patti

      The scars are pretty much healed when you come out of cast it just takes time for them to fade x

    • patti123
      patti123 ronUS

      Posted

      Hang in there Ron! Only a few more days. It is so hard to be patient I know. This really tests us. Thanks for the advice re. the scar. I will ask the doc tomorrow when I get the new cast (they split it last week for my travel so I need a new one). Did they put the frankenstein staples in you too? I got those, but they took them out several days later. I am also wondering about the puncturing marks caused by those...hope they go away too eventually. Does anyone out there know?
    • ronUS
      ronUS patti123

      Posted

      I never had the staples, Patti, just traditional stitches, both underneath the skin (which dissolve) and the black ones on top.  They came out at the 2-1/2 week mark and then the little strips put on.  I removed those myself 2 weeks later.  Any holes made my staples will completely disappear, I'm sure.  I'm sure you're going to be pleased in a year after the scars have faded.  I have scars from my bunion surgeries and you can hardly even see them.
    • ronUS
      ronUS patti123

      Posted

      I can't decide whether Mondays cheer me up or depress  me.  Another week down (good); yet another long week ahead (bad).  Today I'm sort of feeling the latter.  Maybe also partially due to the fact that it's a grey rainy day here in New York City.  Blah.  
    • patti123
      patti123 ronUS

      Posted

      Heard the east coast is having a jolt of crazy weather now. Hang in there...several people have appts this week and I am feeling good news is around the corner for all of us...but maybe that's just because I'm a sunny California optimist.   

      "If each day is a gift, I would like to know where I can return Mondays."  

    • therese29317
      therese29317 sharon180264

      Posted

      Hi Sharon, I also had irritation from my scared ankle so on the inside of my boot I used panty liners and it worked.

      I understand that the message is a little late but someone else who reads this might find it useful.

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.