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What is your experience of hardware?

Posted , 15 users are following.

molly8693
molly8693

Hello,

I had my ankle surgery on Jan 14 and the metal plate with 4 screws is to remain there.  I am still in pain but can walk with one crutch.

I am curious to know what are people's experiences and opinions on hardware?  Did you have any further trouble because the hardware wasn't removed?  What is best, keeping it or removing it?  Have you researched or dicussed it with your doctor?

Thanks,

Molly (UK)

1 like, 166 replies

166 Replies

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  • veronica34189
    veronica34189 molly8693

    Posted

    Hello Molly

    I had ankle surgery and I'm having lots of pain

    With the inside hardware. I have hardware on the left side and the right side of my ankle. The right side don't hurt, but the left side do. I still can't

    Walk with my foot flat on the ground. I have to hop

    On it. I have to get another doctor opinion about it.

    It was alot of pain the 1st time. Good luck to you!

    Thank you

    • molly8693
      molly8693 veronica34189

      Posted

      Hello Veronica,

      When did you have your surgery?

      Yes, it is awfully painful to begin with and no one can do it without painkillers.  

      What did your doc say?  Are you going to keep the hardware or are you having another operation for it to be removed?

      It is a painful and slow progress.  We are all on the same boat.

      Let us know how you are doing,

      Molly

    • veronica34189
      veronica34189

      Posted

      Hello Molly

      Thanks for replying back. My surgery was 2 years ago. The bones healed well, but the one area where the screw is, I think is coming out. The skin is broken no and it hurts. I did go to one doctor, but I want to get another opion to be sure what should be done.

      Thank you

    • molly8693
      molly8693 veronica34189

      Posted

      Hello Veronica,

      Having to go back after 2 years must be quite a concern to you.

      What did exactly made you think that something was wrong?

      Molly

    • molly8693
      molly8693

      Posted

      Veronica,

      Can you feel the screw or you are just assuming?

      Hope you have an x-ray soon for them to find out what the matter is.

      I wonder if these cuts will remain sensitive.  Mine still hurt and pull.

      It is good to have a 2nd opinion and maybe an x-ray too.

      Wish you feel better soon,

      Molly

  • ellehaydu
    ellehaydu molly8693

    Posted

    Hi Molly

    I suffered a trimalleolar comminuted pilon fracture

    (Shattered Tibia/fibula) on Jan 16/17 with ORIF surgery the following day. I have 2 plates and 19 screws which my surgeon said will not be removed.

    I am fully weight bearing, no crutches etc at this point. I do feel discomfort & stiffness , not sure if it's the plate or screws on the fibula side - really hoping this improves over time . Interested in following your post to see what others have experienced.

    Good luck with your recovery

    Elle

    • molly8693
      molly8693 ellehaydu

      Posted

      Elle,

      You had your surgery about the same time as me but I can't really walk for long without crutches.  The part around the ankle is still quite stiff and hurts so, I end up with a 'lame walk'.

      I guess you aren't in UK if the doc intends to go ahead with removal.

      Wish you a good recovery,

      Molly

    • ellehaydu
      ellehaydu molly8693

      Posted

      Molly,

      My surgeon will not remove my hardware - they are permanent unfortunately..

      Today was a huge accomplishment- we loaded our horses into the trailer and hauled them up to one of our local mountains and I rode fore the first time since my accident. I have to admit my anxiety was very high - worried about being in the saddle for the first time ...

      But it went really well - pain was tolerable.

      Hope your recovery is going well for you too !

      Elle

    • helen00131
      helen00131 ellehaydu

      Posted

      Hi Elle,

      My hardware are permantment too. My original surgeon doesnit want to remove them either. But I went to a different one. He will remove them for me. He said if you hardware bothering you, they should be removed. Go to get a second oppinion!

      I know most of people experienced a lot improvement on moving and pain level, after the removal of the hardware.

      Helen

  • sue61444
    sue61444 molly8693

    Posted

    I broke my ankle 11 1/2 months ago and had surgery with 7 scres and a plate in the Fibula and a screw in the Tibia.

     The initial 6 months I noticed the hardware because it seemed to attract the cold. I windsurf and got back into that at 6 months.At times I think I can feel the pate moving sideways.It doesn't hurt just feels a bit weird.

     I asked the specialist about having the hardware removed ( if it causes problems in the cold this winter). It sounds like no big deal although they do cut you again to get them out . You can weight bear although have to curtail activites a little for the 6 weeks odd for it to heal ( I bushwalk etc).

     At the moment mine is fine so I will only have it removed if it attracts the cold ( it's Autumn here so I'll have to wait and see).

    I had some issues with scar tissue tearing ands fascia pulling apart over the last few months but my chiro says thats good as it lines up along the lines of force / use. She says too many people sit around and don't do anything after an injury ( weight bearing stage onwards) because they are worried about a bit of pain but it's better to start doing the activities you used to do as soon as it is safe ( ask the specialist).

    Just the last week or so mine is feeling normal again . I even went on a bushwalk with a lot of  rockscrambling up gullies etc and I forgot all about it..So it should get better..

     

    • sue61444
      sue61444

      Posted

      Boy I wish you could edit the posts after you post! Sorry about the spelling errors..lol's

    • molly8693
      molly8693 sue61444

      Posted

      Hi Sue,

      Thanks.  It is interesting all what you say.  But the plate ought not be moving or you feeling it when it moves...  I don't think I can feel mine but maybe later, when I am more active I will and, feel the cold too, as you say.

      No, I don't wish to go through another cuttingg and healing business.

      It is nearing 4 months now and still the scars are tender; they sort of pull as the skin is stretched and shinny smooth there.

      For me is early days I guess.  Although I try to walk without crutches but not for long.  It isn't really walk what I am doing.  It looks as if I am lame.

      There is a tough swollen part around the ankle that doesn't allow full mouvement. 

      Well done for keeping up with the activities you enjoy and forget about it. 

      Not to worry about spelling mistakes.  We all make them especially when one types fast. :-)

      Molly

    • jan30278
      jan30278 sue61444

      Posted

      Interesting post- I met a guy at the surgical unit where I had my hardware removed and his was being taken out because it 'shifted'- 

      When mine was removed- the OS removed scar tissue that had built along  w/ the plate and screws.  

    • sue61444
      sue61444 molly8693

      Posted

      I don't think it's actually moving just a weird sensation..Yes I'm haning off re getting cut again as I don't want to be out of action again for 6 weeks ..

    • molly8693
      molly8693 sue61444

      Posted

      Sue,

      As your PT says, the tearing and pulling of tissu could

      be part of realinement and healing process.

      Good for you to keep active.

      I try my best but I can be in pain and need

      breaks between doing things.

      You are fortunate to have physio.

      It has been a few months

      I have been waiting to see one.

      Hopefully you will be alright in autumn

      since you are doing all the right things

      and exercising.

      Molly

    • sue61444
      sue61444 molly8693

      Posted

      Your only in the early stages..I was struggling back then so hopefully things will improve! I did a lot of exercises to get movement etc.I was doing an hr a day for many months although I've got slack now things seem better. I still do about 15-20mins of the routine I was given every 2nd day.

    • molly8693
      molly8693 sue61444

      Posted

      Thanks Sue. I don't know what exercises to do.

      I just try to do things in the house and keep moving.  I can now go upstairs and downstairs which is a big progress but had a fall, fortunately not a bad one.  Now it is much better but have some not so good days,

      get tearful for no reason and I know is silly.  Good for you to keep your spirits up and sticking to your exercises. 

       

    • sue61444
      sue61444 molly8693

      Posted

      I had never broken anything before and it was a horrible experience. i have a horse but i haven't been game to go back to riding as i don't want to break anymore bones! ( He's 25 so i can use the excuse that i can retire him lol's).

      It's not silly to be tearful it's a lousy period so let those tears roll.

      My exercises were set up for me but basically - range of movement. Sit on the floor legs out in front straight. Arms upright supporting your torso - point your toes , back to normal , repeat do about 4 sets x 4. Another is to rotate your feet /ankles clockwise and anti ( both )..I do a different version for mine , lying on my back with my legs in the air.

      The exercises although simple aren't easy at first but if you persist things should improve.

      They shouldn't hurt but can be uncomfortable/ have discomfort..

       these are only 2 exercises .I had a routine of 45 mins a morning and I noticed if I didn't do them.

       Best to get a physio to suggest some. The earlier you start the better ( so long as your cleared to do them).

       Good luck. It doies get better!

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