What is your experience of hardware?

Hi Helen,

It is brave of you.  Psychologically I couldn't face another surgery and a long recovery that goes with it.  But one doesn't always have the choice.  How can you tell it is the hardware that is bothering you? Maybe your foot is not fully healed...  Yes, I also dream of being able to hike and run again...  Hope all goes well for you.

Molly

Hi Molly,

I am very slim. I can feel and touch the six screws and one plate on the outer side of my ankle. Particularly on of them, I can see with out touch it. I also can feel the other two long screws on inner side of the ankle on the certaint movement. I was very active, before the injury. I did a lot of sports hiking, rock climbing and distance runnung upto 10km. Therefore doctor agreed to remove my hardware. Othervise I may never be able to enjoy those sports.

I have read a lot blog and research papers in regarding to the hardware removal. It seam has more benefit to do so, though there is not conclusion.

Helen

My ankles are skinny too- and my OS did mention to me that folks w/ skinny ankles tend to have more issues w/ the hardware- I could see the outline of the plate and screws on the lateral side as you have described.  Mine screws on the medial side could not be felt, but oddly enough, they were the ones that seem to rub on my shoes... and still had some nerve pain.  It was all removed 2 weeks ago and I no longer have the nerve pain!  Best of luck to you- having the hardware removed is nothing like getting it put in- though of course there are still risks....  

Helen,

In your case it makes sense.

I can't see or feel any hardware but nearly 4 months after the surgery I cannot stand fully on this foot.  When I "walk" I schuffle it.

Glad your paind disappeared now.

I am confused with what is best: removal or not removal...

I guess there isn't a straight forward answer.

It depends of the case and later complications tham might arise

later on.  

Wish you a fast recovery,

Molly

Hi Molly,

I guess if you still can't stand full on that foot after 4 months, you should ask your doctor to check out what is cause the problem. I made very good progress this week, though I still have some pain when I walk or stand for too long. But I was able to stand fully on that foot about two months after the surgery, though I was still on two crutches when I was waking.

Helen

Hi Jan,

Thank you for the information.

Cheers,

Helen

Thanks Helen.  I will let you know when I have further news.

My GP appointment is on May 17 and will ask for an x-ray.

On Friday I am starting my PT.

Take care,

Molly

Hi Molly,

How come you have wait so long to start your PT. My first PT session was right after my cast was off. That may explain something.

By the way, I have make very good progress this week. I sometime even forgot about my injury. I am in the beginning of my 6th months. I heard people saying, after 6 months yoy can walk pretty well. Now I believe that. Of course, I still Have to reset it after the removal of the hardware. But I am looking forward and believe I will make full recover by the end of the year.

Regards,

Xufang

Hi Helen,

I had to wait a long time to see the PT because we have long waiting lists here!!  Fortunately she was nice but I will see her in a month so, it isn't that helpful.  It just made me feel more confident and positive.

I am glad you are making great progress.

Yes, 6 months is the beginning of a real change!

Keep up your efforts and let us know how you are doing.

Molly

Thanks Molly!

Yes, once got into the 6th months, I can walk much better. The weather is getting colder here in Australia. I don't need to ice to foot most of the time. But the pain is still there. There are still ups and downs days. The foot often getting to cold and forgot how to warm up.

The depression has slowly kicked in. That is my major battle. I am applying to take whole year off the work next year.

Hi Helen,

After this struggle I gave in and went for antidepressants at the end.

It is early days yet but will see how and if they are helping.

Please, message me if you feel like a chat.

Hug,

Molly

Thanks Molly!

Being in this forum has made things better.

By the way, how to we send the private message?

​Helen

Helen,

I sent you a private message.

You can check your messages.

You just left click on the name of the person you wish to write to.

Molly

Hello Helen, i came upon your posts as i was reading molly's messages about 'hardware removal'. I broke my tib and fib 11 months ago. Ankle still very stiff, but i dont know if this is because of the hardware or if its just stiff. I can feel the screws but i don't know if i want to go through the removal process. Please let me know how you get on, and in fact, how you are. Best Wishes, CAROLINE

Hi Caroline,

Yes, I have booked to get all my hardware removed at the end of June.

I broken my ankle at the end of November last year, almost 6 months ago. I am able to walk for short distance and up and down stairs as well.

I have  6 screws and a plate on outer side, 2 long screws on the inner side. The scars on the inner side heal pretty well. Some areas almost became invisible. But the scars on the outside are not all healing well.

Anyway, I decide to removal the hardware even before the surgery. I can't accept the foreign objects stay inside my body indefinitely. The doctors are agreed to remove them as I told them that I was very active. I did distance running, hiking and rock climbing. The doctor reckon that if I want to continue to enjoy those activities I'd better remove the hardware.

I will let you know the outcomes after the removal surgery.

I am also interested in knowing how your recovery goes? How well you can walk after 11 months? Would you be able to run now?

Helen

Helen hello. I can walk around quite well, but no running. My own doctor had a dreadful injury himself and told me he got the screws and plates out as he was an athlete and a skier. I am not that involved in physical sports. I know you live in Aus.as i do. I still get a bit depressed about my leg. Still doing my exercises. Good luck with the removal. Keep in touch.CAROLINE

Glad to hear that they also get depressed with all this (if you know what I mean) seem to think it's just me on a Downer!! One minute I miss not too bad. Then the next feeling really sorry for my self. 😢 😢. But today the sun is out and can feel the warmth from my bedroom window, so feeling a little better today.

Hi helen, your braver than me. Even if I'm told this has to come out later dwn the line I don't think I would be able to accept it. This has been the hardest thing that has ever happened to me and just the thought of removal makes me feel ill. But as you say your very active and want to get back to it. The only thing I enjoy when the sun is out is walking my sons dog and walking along the beaches. Hope all goes well. X

I a bit regret that I did not do it sooner. When I visited my surgeon in March. The doctor asked me that if I would like to take them out in April or May. I said June. As I am a school teacher. I don't want my students to miss out lessons while I am recovering from the surgery. We have 3 weeks school holiday in June. I would like to use the time to recover. Hope that would be enough.

Now, I am thinking it maybe better for me, if I had the removal surgery in April when the foot still in a lot pain anyway. But still, I would feel guilty if I jeopardized my students academically, as I have two year 12 classes.

My depression has only start kick in after I am able to walk without aid. It is hard to live differently without knowing when will be the end of the drama. I am taking whole year off the work next year.