What is your experience of hardware?

Thanks Jan.

How are you healing after the removal?

Is it as painful as it was after the first surgery?

In UK they don't seem to want to revove it.  

That is the reason I ask people where they are.

Get well soon and drop us a few lines to let us know your progress when you can.

Molly

Hi Molly,  I am in the US (N Carolina).  My OS does not ordinarily remove the hardware.  He told me he only takes about 5% out.  There apparently is no reason to take it out unless there are issues.  I have 2 friends that have had the same break as me and both still have their hardware and do fine- one is an avid skiier and it has not bothered him at all.   

I had the surgery almost 2 weeks ago and it was very easy.  I was in an out of the ambulatory surgery center in 4 hours.   I took 3 pain pills and not sure I reallly even needed them.  It was done under a regional block so I could have chosen to be awake if I so desired.  Recuperation is usually very easy- mine is  a tad more complicated due to a history of poor wound healing but i expect to be up and around w/ a boot after having stitches removed next Tues.  Unless I had ongoing pain, I would not have opted to have them removed. Not sure it matters, but I am 59 YO.  I have read that some MDs will not take them out if you are older- but i am healthy otherwise so was not really at much risk.  

Hi Jan,

That is really good news and thank you for putting my mind at rest.

I am still 59 until 13 of May!!

If you ever feel like a chat you are welcome to send me a personal message.  I like having pen friends especially if we belong to the same age group.

Wish you fast recovery & Enjot spring time :-)

Best wishes,

Molly

Will do for sure!  There is a FB group too-  not sure if you are on that group.  Funny - now that I am back NWB for a bit of time- I am back on the internet support groups.  I am a few mos behind you w/ the BDAY.  Hoping to have all of this behind me by my 60th!  Though, doubt it will ever be entirely behind us... just figuring out the 'new normal'- and I know it will be great.

 

Jan,

No, I am not in FB group(s).  I found this group was great.  Having people to talk to, share and could understand what you go through was a great relief.  

I think you are right.  I also doubt we will ever be able to entirely put this behind us.  Hopefully we won't have more trouble once it is all over.

This tought me most of all patience and, I am still not good at that ! :-)

Yes, drop me a few lines any time.  We can chat about other things like life at 60 and the interests we have...  Are you still at work?  I retired early but miss work now.  You live in an interesting and green state. Anyway, you take good care of yourself and talk to you again.

Molly (S-E of England)

 

Hello Jan

I have to have my plates & screws out.

They hurt really bad now after 2 years from my surgery. Are you in a cast? And

you didn't hurt real bad after getting your plates,& screws out? Did you have any down time? I'm scared to do this. I thank you in advance for a reply back and your time. I hope your healing is going well! Thanks again Veronuca

hi Veronica- so sorry you are still having issues w/ the hardware.  To answer your questions-

1.  I am 2 weeks past surgery and i only needed pain meds the first day.  have not even needed tylenol since then so it is not bad at all.  i had a nerve block which lasted about 2 days.  

2. Generally from what I have read there is not much down time.  For me- it has been a little different due to a history of poor wound healing.  my stitches will be in for 3 weeks (usually they are taken out at 10 days) at which time I am Nwb.  i have a boot on which i am allowed to take off to go to bed.  When I go back to have the stitches out next week, the OS will make a decision to let me put wt on it or not.  

3. I expect to be in the boot for a total of 6 weeks.  

It is MUCH EASIER than having the plates in and i was much more prepared since it was scheduled in advance.  My frame of mind is much better this time- went thru a terrible depression w/ the original injury.   Best of luck!

 

Hi Jan

Thanks so much for replying back and the infornation. I have wound healing issues too. The inside incision don't want to close all the way. I feel the screw head too on it. Your infor really help me, to get this done. Keep hanging in there! ..

You are a Winner! Thanks again.

so much!!!

Veronica

Hi Jan

Just want to check on you to see if you are feeling better since your surgery?

I hope so. This does put alot of stress on a person, time it takes to heal, trying to walk again, big bills you have from it.

So I know about being depressed about all of it. I went to the doctor on Friday and the doctor I have, just want to half way

Fix my ankle. She stated, I can come back at another time to have a 2st surgery! I have to get another doctor, this one is crazy if she think I want to have another

Surgery later. I think she is just in for the money not my health!!! Thanks V.

Hi Veronica- Just wanted to thank you for checking on me!  I went this morning and had my stitches removed and am doing GREAT.  I was so worried that the wound would not be healing good - I feel so relieved.   I have to wear the boot for another week, but can bear wt as tolerated and then just wear it outside for another week or so since the bone is still healing.  I could not be happier- and the best news- all the pain/ discomfort I had prior to the HWR is GONE!!!!!   I am on cloud nine today.  I go back in 3 mos for an xray.  

Hello Jan

Great for you!! I'm so happy for you!!!

Treat yourself to something really nice today! Was the stitchs from the hardware being removed? That's what's I need to have done too, the hardware taken out.

Thank you Veronica

Yup- stitches were from the hardware removal- plate and screws on lateral side and screws on the medial ankle.  

Hi Jan,

I am getting my hardware removal at the end of June - a plate and 6 screws on lateral side and two long screws on the medial ankle.

Please keep post your progress after the hardware removal. When are you allowed WB?

Wish you speedy recovery.

Helen

Hi Jan

I'm so happy for you, to be out of pain and getting your whole life back!

You are a Winner!!! I have a new doctor I'm going to on May 18th to get some answers in getting my hardware out.

I can't wait. I will let you know what happens. I thank you so much for your kind words and your concern.Keep us posted on your updates. Bless you!!

Thanks again Veronica

hi Helen,

Not sure I am a good comparison as I had issues w/ poor wound healing after the original ORIF surgery so the OS has been VERY CONSERVATIVE w/ my followup w the HWr.  My stitches stayed in for 3 weeks (as opposed to 10 days) and I was NWB for 3 weeks and in the boot.  I am now able to bear wt as tolerated- and one day after having stitches taken out, I am full wt bearing and will be in the boot for another 2 weeks.  i go back at 3 mos for an XRAY.   My ankle is 'tight' and stiff today- no surprise there.  I will have to start my PT exercises again next week, but i suspect it will not take as long to get ROM back to where it was.  But the pain I had prior to surgery from the hardware- is gone.

With that being said, I believe the normal progression is much faster- HWR, stitches removed @ 10 days post op, and most are able to get up and walk a few days later (I have seen where some walk the same day).   There was very little pain involved- I took 4 pain pills the day after the procedure and have not taken anything since then.   

I hope this helps some- you have the same hardware that I had- I asked to keep it but was told they now have a policy whereby the hardware is sent to pathology...  Hope this info helps some! 

Hi Jan,

Thank you for the post. The information is valuable for my upcoming surgery and recovery.

I hope I can have a quick recovery. 

My skin usually very heals quick from cuts. I am in my sixth months post OP. Some part of the scars from the surgery are invisible now.

I can tolerate pain pretty well. I didn't take much painkiller after the first operation. I can do without the painkiller. I only take them, because I thought I have to.

I am giving myself 4 weeks to be able to walk unaided. That is my goal. I hope I can reach it.

Keep my fingers crossed.

Wish you speedy recovery and not in too much pain.

After the removal my doctor adviced me to put weight on it as tolorated....is always hard after the first surgery...but as the days moves...you feel better and strong...positive attitude is everything.im 1.7 months after the first surgery...7months after the hardware removal and i feel as good as new.im from kenya.. i always visited this website to read what other people wrote...but i have decided to share my experiences.

Hi Siamini,

Thank you for sharing the experience. It is very encouraging.

I am getting HWR in 5 days - can't wait. I give myself 4 weeks to recover before back to work. I hope this time next year I will be as good as new. Then will mark 19 months since the first surgery. I had planned a big trip in Germany June - Aug. next year. I am live in Australia.