A Tangled Web

How did you get your hardware? I was told by my surgeon that I can't have mine due to some federal regulations having to do with contamination or something. I have 15 pieces of hardware coming out of my left knee and leg due to a bicondylar comminuted tibial fracture in April of 2006. This is supposed to happen in the middle of December. I really wanted to keep the screws and plates.Please tell me what you did to make them give you yours.
Thanks,
Cindy

Posted by cindy k on November 20, 2007 at 11:19 AM PST #

Hi Mark,
Thanks so much for responding to my e-mail. I am having my hardware removed at Carolina's Medical Center in Charlotte,N.C.
My surgeon is Dr. James Kellam and is the same Dr. who did the reconstruction and hardware installation.I would have loved to go to Stanford in Palo Alto, but thats just not possible right now. I actually live about 30 miles north of Charlotte and I take care of my father who is 86 and has Alzheimers.I am lucky enough to have wonderful friends who want to help out with my dad while I'm in the hospital, but it would just require too much time away if I went to Stanford for my surgery. I am originally from Petaluma and just love northern California. I would love to come back some day just to roam the beaches of Bodega Bay in Petaluma and Half Moon bay. I also miss have hot fudge sundaes at Ghiradelli in Frisco! Well I'm gonna check with the administrator's office at the hospital and look into this hardware thing. It's coming out of my leg, and as far as I'm concerned, It's mine to keep!
Happy Thanksgiving Mark and thanks for the info. I go in for my surgery on Dec. 21st. I don't know if I will still be in there on Christmas day, but I will let you know what happens and if I do get to keep my hardware, I'll forward a picture of it to you.
Take care, Cindy

Posted by Cindy Kyles on November 22, 2007 at 03:48 PM PST #

I can't believe this. You are from Winston, and I live in Statesville. That is bizarre. When you come home for Christmas, will you fly into the Greensboro airport or Charlotte?
Maybe we could meet and compare scars!
I was wondering if you still have a limp, and is your range of motion a lot better since you had the hardware removed?
I am wondering if I will be able drive my Harley again some day. I have a Heritage softail classic that I bought in 2002, and I refuse to part with it. It inspires me to keep trying to get my leg to work better.
Thanks,
Cindy

Posted by Cindy Kyles on November 30, 2007 at 05:36 AM PST #

Hi Mark,
Sounds like you will be pretty busy once you get here. I know time is precious when you are trying to spend time with as many people as possible. Coming home to visit can be a logistical challenge.
I will be going in to CMC in Charlotte at an unGodly hour on Dec. 21st. The surgery will be later that morning. I doubt that I will get to be home for Christmas.If by some chance you happen to go through Charlotte during that time, and want to see how it went with my leg, you are welcome to stop by the hospital and surprise me with a visit. I would love that and it would be interesting to compare how our injuries were handled from one side of the country to the next.
If you don't have time or are not crazy enough to do something like that, I understand completely. I guess coming from a big Italian family, I never meet a stranger, so it wouldn't seem weird to me.
Later!, Cindy

Posted by Cindy Kyles on December 03, 2007 at 07:00 AM PST #

Hi Mark,
The reason I had to stay in the hospital when I had the reconstruction and hardware installation was that the damage was so extensive. When my horse tripped and started to go down, I tried to jump off and away from him, so as not to get crushed under him.My knee was locked when I hit the ground and my femur bone went through my knee and smashed into the tibia bone. The tibia bone was broken in 4 places,one of which was right into the joint.The tibial plateau and the top of the tibia bone were in over 200 pieces. They said it looked like a bowl of rice on the x-ray and resembled an implosion. To manage my pain,they rotated morphene and dilaudid through my I.V.
They think my horse may have stepped on it also.Keep in mind that he was a 2600Lb Belgian Draft horse.He wouldn't have hurt me on purpose, but he just tripped over his big feet while we were trotting across a pasture and fell.(He sounded like a tractor trailer hitting the ground). After I landed,he walked a circle around me and stopped where the sun was beating down on me and shaded me with his body. It was really hot out that day.Then he reached down and tried to push me up by my chin with his muzzle. He knew I was hurt badly and would not leave my side. I had my cell phone in my pocket and called 911. They found me in the tall grass by using him as a landmark. They had to push him out of the way to work on me. He even tried to follow the big truck ambulance out of the pasture because he knew I was in it. When they drove away, he was running down the fence line in the pasture, trying to follow. The rescue personnel that stayed behind said that it took almost an hour to calm him down.
This time they are gonna remove all 15 pieces of hardware and cut out the tumor-like growth that my cadavor material turned into after it died. Bone grew completely around that and the whole damn thing has mineralized. It also grew inbetween 2 muscle groups and around some tendons. There will be 2 drains in there after the surgery which will have to be removed before I can come home.
It will be a Christmas to remember,thats for sure.
I hope you do get to stop by. I'd really like to meet you.

Posted by Cindy Kyles on December 07, 2007 at 10:35 AM PST #

Hi Cindy, Happy New Year to you as well. I did have a great trip, it was quite hectic and I just couldn't squeeze in a trip to visit you. I'm glad to hear the surgery went okay. I guess your staples came out today. Did you get your hardware yet? Sounds like yours would put mine to shame....
take care -
Mark

Posted by Mark White on January 07, 2008 at 07:10 PM PST #

Hi Amy,
I hope you don't mind me throwing my two cents in.I have to tell you that I was scared to death about having my plates and screws taken out.I really had a hard time when they went in. The pain was horrible and it took my a long time to just be able to navigate around the house and do the bare minimum of what I really needed to do.
I just got all 14 screws and two plates(one on either side of my tibia bone) taken out on Dec. 21st. I have to tell you that I was absolutely amazed at how much less pain I had after the surgery. I was actually taking steps the next day,using my walker, and came home two days after the operation. I could have come home the day before that,but I was really sick from the pain meds and they wanted to make sure that I could eat solid food before I left the hospital.
I only took perscription pain medication for two days after I came home. It was Demoral with nausea medicine mixed in with it. After that,all I needed was an anti-inflammatory and extra strength Tylenol.
I started walking on it,with the help of my cane (no walker) three days after I came home.
I got my 37 staples taken out yesterday and steri strips put on.I start physical therapy Thursday, and I am hoping to start swimmimg at the YMCA within two weeks. It's incredible how much better I feel after getting that hardware out of my leg.I am sooo much happier.Life is getting better every day now.
If there is anything I can do to help you, please feel free to e-mail me at mommyperson228@aim.com. My name is Cindy and you can read about what happened to me in my correspondence with Mark White.
Take Care and don't be too nervous about getting your hardware out. It's so much easier than getting it put in!
Cindy Kyles

Posted by cindy kyles on January 08, 2008 at 04:28 PM PST #

Hi Mark!
In answer to your question, I did get my hardware. I had to insist on it, but I got it.The surgeon gave it to me in a clear sealed bag when I went back Monday to get my staples removed. There was a grand total of 14 screws and 2 plates. The plates were a lot thicker than I expected them to be. I feel so much better now that all that crap is out of my leg. It still hurts of course, but when you are used to so much more pain, this is nothing! I can't wait to start swimming again. That will give me back the muscle tone that I lost so I can start horse back riding again.
I'm glad you had a good trip. I understand about you not having a chance to stop by. I know how fast time can go by when you are visiting "home".
Maybe we can help Amy get over her next hurdle as well as we did.
Later!,
Cindy

Posted by cindy kyles on January 09, 2008 at 07:07 AM PST #

Hi Amy,
I hope you are starting to feel better. It was very scary for me to actually put weight on my leg at first. I had this crazy fear that my bones were going to disintegrate because of all the holes where the screws came out. I started out using my walker, putting most of the weight on it. Then I got fed up with that thing and went to a cane. After a few days of that, I started walking around the house without even using that. I still use it when I'm on unfamiliar territory, or walking out in the yard in case I mis-step or something. I am very careful and watchful of what I am stepping on, and I also pay close attention to changes in the grade of where I am walking. (i.e., as in ramps going up and down,etc.). Jamming my leg or stepping on a rock is really painful and can quickly screw up a perfectly good day.
The other two factors in determining my pain level are standing on it too long,(as in doing dishes or cooking something really involved), and the weather. When the barometric pressure drops just before we get any kind of wet weather, or if the temperature starts dropping, I feel it in my leg. It's annoying!! I'll bet Mark could say the same thing about his leg.
All that being said, I am still much happier with the hardware out of my leg. I just have to be patient.(which doesn't mix very well with the fact that I am Italian). Oh well.I know that it will never be the same as it was before, but I do step back every once in a while and remind myself that if I hadn't jumped clear of my horse, I probably wouldn't be sitting here writing this.Sometimes it's the greatest blessing to feel pain. It means I'm still alive, and not paralyzed.
Please let us know how you are progressing,and don't hesitate to ask questions! Thats what we are here for.
Take care,
Cindy

Posted by cindy kyles on January 17, 2008 at 10:05 AM PST #

Hi Steve,
Welcome to the gang! First of all,I can't even imagine how you can wear a ski boot with a screw sticking out of your ankle. Arrrrgh! I guess I don't have a lot of room to talk, considering that I can't wait to heal up enough to get back on a horse again. I've been riding since I was three and it's like breathing for me, even though thats how my accident happened. I totally understand having such a passion for something that you will go to almost any lengths to continue doing it.
My surgeon told me that typically the holes close up within 8 to 10 weeks, 12 at the most. As far as the marrow leakage, I would think that the body's natural clotting ability would take care of that. It never came up in any of my discussions with my surgeon. It would probably only be an issue if you had a poor clotting factor, or were an outright hemopheliac. (free bleeder). Thats just a guess, but if you talk to your surgeon about it, I am curious as well. If you din't mind sharing the answer, I'd love to hear it.
I still can't believe how much easier it was to recover from the removal surgery,than it was when they put it all in. Having said that, I also have to take into consideration,that my body was also dealing with a lot of trauma. They classified it as a catastrophic injury when it happened. I know it will never be the same again,and I will probably always hurt to some degree,but getting all that metal out of my leg has made a huge improvement.
Keep us posted and thanks for sharing!
Cindy

P.S. Bet I'm older than you are!!

Posted by cindy kyles on January 21, 2008 at 06:58 PM PST #

Had trimalleolar fx of Right ankle 8/28/07. ORIF 8/29/07. Hospitalized 10/07 for 2 weeks with osteomyelitis and DVT, on IV abx and blood thinner for two weeks in hospital, then 6 weeks at home IV abx. Just had hardware removed 2/19/08. Cultures came back ok, as I have been on abx since october. In a splint cast for 10 days, then a boot for 6 weeks. Ankle feels better already without hardware. Will be anxious to see how it is after staples are removed and out of the cast....what a year it has been!

Posted by Lynda Moss on February 28, 2008 at 12:33 AM PST #

Hi, I am going in this friday to have removal of 12 screws and a 8 in plate in my ankle. Its the plate you are waiting to have removed still. Mine looks just like that! I am very scared about this, i am hoping it wil make a big difference! it happened 5 years ago and i have been in alot of pain since then. I was 7 months pregnant when it happened and i broke my leg, dislocated my leg, broke my heel and broke bones in my foot. Im only 36 and i feel like a old woman somedays the pain is so bad. I have had pain blockers in my back, steriod shots in my ankle and now i am going for this, I know i wont have full pain recovery, but i am hoping. I always have a pins and needles feelin in my foot and my ankle still swells and the place where the plate is in my leg, hurts all the time. I just hope this will work and i seen your site and said OMG, that is exactly what i have. Surgery is scheduled for june 27th i dont know what to expect and how much pain will be after. I am just worried about the hardware being removed when this happened 5 years ago.. i am very nervous and very scared. hope you have some answers for me! tyvm for your time

Kelly

Posted by kelly on June 23, 2008 at 12:35 AM PDT #

hi
i have recently broken my fibia and tibia and have just had the surgery to repair the damage which sounds very similar to the operations undergone by most people here and was wondering if anyone had loss of feeling in their foot as well as pins and needles immediately after surgery.
i'm just trying to find out if this is normal after sugery or whether i should be concerned.

thanks

Posted by dan on September 02, 2008 at 11:22 AM PDT #

Tina - Where are you? I'm in the Central Valley in California and there is a very well known ankle surgeon here named Dr. Glaser...he does all of Fresno States Bulldogs players injuries and he put my ankle back together beautifully...He's the only one I'll let take the hardware out..Cris

Posted by Cris on September 04, 2008 at 06:05 PM PDT #

Had plates/screws removed last week from wrist - my wrist is really stiff (hope this improves)- but numbness in hand is gone- still some tingling from freeing up the medial nerve
Surgeon gave me hardware and a disc
I was suprised that he gave me the hardware any one w/ this experience

Posted by car on September 09, 2008 at 08:43 PM PDT #

Hello all. I was trying to show someone a picture of my hardware and ironically stumbled across this page today. I'm in the same boat as the rest of you. Back in 1998, I crushed my tibial plateau and shattered the bone almost down to my ankle. I had to have a bone graft and the standard mile long plate with a million screws. I was in a wheel chair for a month and on crutches for over a year. Aside from a few screws poking out, the doctors said I would have to live with all my hardware the rest of my life because it would weaken the bone too much if it was taken out. I still walked with a limp and was in a ton of pain 3 years after the accident. I was walking, hiking and doing impact activity to try and make it stronger but it didn't work. Then one day a friend of mine suggested that I take MSM in liquid form. Within a few months my leg miraculously healed and the pain was completely gone, no joke. I didn't take it very long, maybe 6 months to a year tops. 10 years later at 38 years old my leg is stronger than ever and I can snow ski, water ski, and hike long distances with zero bone pain.

Posted by Shawn on December 25, 2008 at 09:35 AM PST #

I had plate and 11 screws put in my wrist April 15, 2008. . . doc told me that was my only viable option. . . Anyway, now, the plate/screws and holes in my bone hurt, and I feel that I must get them out, but the doc is poo-pooing me, saying that it's only arthritis, and removal surgery is too complicated. Anybody out there had plate and screws removed from wrist? I want to hear your experience. Thanks.

Posted by Lou on February 02, 2009 at 11:44 AM PST #

Are these plates always removed after the injury heals????

(I will be having a metal plate put in simply as "insurance" to prevent a tibal fracture following removal of a bone cyst.)

Posted by Bill on February 22, 2009 at 02:47 AM PST #

Had plate wrist in Aug 2008, Physical therapy since then with little improvement in movement of wrist. Doc says removing plate may give me more movement. Anyone had any success with removal of wrist plates? Trying to make a good decision.

Posted by Sandy on March 04, 2009 at 03:19 PM PST #

I really have enjoyed reading how you all have handled your injuries.I thought I was going to die when I broke my ankle.lol.By reading this I'm definitely going to have the screws and the plate taken out.I had spine surgery at Carolina Medical in Charlotte in 06.Sure wish I could have this plate taken out of my neck.That will never happen.Gotta go.Thanks to you all for your wonderful info.May God richly bless each and everyone of you!
brenda s.

Posted by Brenda S on March 20, 2009 at 11:33 PM PDT #

Hi,
it's encouraging to read all your stories! I had a bi-mall fx one year ago and I am now fully back doing everything, including jumping and yoga! I don't have any major discomfort or pain, and I am very happy and feel blessed on how my ankle have healed.
Yesterday, however, I had my one year check-up with a new OS (my wonderful surgeon died unexpectedly last november, which is still a shock for me) He was quite against the hardware removal unless you have a BIG discomfort, so I thought I would live with my plate and screws forever. However, yesterday, the new OS recommended to take the hardware out when I mentioned that it hurts when my child drops something on it or if bump into something. She said that this IS a good reason to take them out!!! In addition, I have thin ankles and you can see the screws right under the skin.
My question is: is there any of you who REGRET taking the hardware out? I am a bit scared now abut the new surgery, and I really don't know what to do and if it's worth it. Ultimately, the OS said it's up to me... I am also worried that my ankle would become less stable, although the OS said it wouldn't be the case.
Any suggestion is welcomed!

Posted by lorella on April 18, 2009 at 12:07 PM PDT #

Hi Cindy,

I will have my plate taken out on May 7th. My doctor asked if I wanted my plated. I really hope that your surgeon is not reusing the plates. I've been told this shouldn't happen but does.

Posted by Cecelia on April 25, 2009 at 07:30 AM PDT #

Hello everyone, my Mom who is 84 had fallen and fractured her left ankle in Nov 2007. She has plates and screws in the tib and fib. When she walks her foot turns out to the left, and she cannot wear a ankle support because of the pain of the plate on fibula side. It has also put extrem pressure on her knee. Has anyone had simular issues?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Dee

Posted by Dee on May 15, 2009 at 04:00 AM PDT #

Hi--would greatly appreciate some advise. 5 years ago my 22 year son broke his tibia & fibula motocrossing. Mayo clinic put in 2 plates and 12 screws in. Since then he has been experiencing alot of pain during anything active. Had surgery this past Monday to remove hardware and the surgeon was unable to remove the 2 plates and screws. A couple screws eventually did come out but the surgeon broke the head off one of the screws. So now what?? He has 6 weeks recovery and nothing changed. Anyone else had this problem? Seems pretty bleak for a 22 year old to have this pain for the rest of his life!

Would appreciate any help or suggestions-Thanks
julie

Posted by 24.118.247.96 on May 20, 2009 at 10:32 AM PDT #

Can anyone comment on recovery time for bimalleolar fx hardware removal? (OS suggests 1-2 wks for healing, outpatient surgery; I'm skeptical.)Thanks!

Posted by Traci on June 09, 2009 at 10:44 AM PDT #

I had the hardware (plate and 11 screws) removed from my wrist just three days ago, after having had them in there for a whole year. I was nervous about the surgery, afraid that it'd make it even worse, but let me tell you, already my wrist is much better!!! Hardware removal, for me, rocks! I stopped the painkillers last night, and my range of motion is much better! I haven't even gotten the stitches out yet. If anyone out there is thinking that hardware removal from your wrist might not be "worth it" (i.e., another surgery!), please be advised that, for me, it was the best thing in the world. I have a tremendous sense of relief, and feel that for the first time since I broke my wrist a year ago, I can actually relax my arm. Best of luck to all.

Posted by lou on June 13, 2009 at 04:49 PM PDT #

As it turns out.... my orthopedic surgeon decided that a metal plate wasn't necessary and I didn't get any hardware implanted.

He simply put in a synthetic bone graft, which in time will be replaced by my own bone tissue.

Posted by Bill on June 16, 2009 at 07:22 PM PDT #

Good luck Bill!

I pray that you have a speedy recovery!

Tina

Posted by Tina on June 17, 2009 at 12:49 AM PDT #

i have an appointment on the 30th of june.Im having a lot of pain on my pelvis. I dont know if its because the screw. I have almost 4 months since it was put in.I just hope it can be removed or something cuz im having a lot of pain.

Posted by selenia on June 17, 2009 at 11:12 AM PDT #

Hi all, just come across this site after searching for ankle plate/screw removal.
I broke my fib & tib a few Years ago so have plate, screws & wires in my ankle, a screw has worked it's way out protruding, having them taken out tomorrow (urrrgghhhh!!!).
I feel better now after reading the posts here
so thanks all, hope you all heal well.

Posted by Mark D on June 21, 2009 at 07:05 AM PDT #

I broke both tib and fib 2 years ago and have two plates and 14 screws .I am in pain everyday. I want to take the metal out but am worried it won't relieve my pain

Posted by mike on June 22, 2009 at 01:05 PM PDT #

Hello Steve & all,
Well the op went brilliantly, i'm in recovery mode now with only the very odd twitching of little pain around the wound area where the stitches are.
I can walk without crutches at the moment so that's promising, i can't wait to see how it feels once it's healed & to walk without feeling the screws & wires that was causing pain.
I will let you all know in a few Weeks time how i get on, but for those of you reading this & worrying then please don't, it's all over before you even know it.
Thanks all,
Mark D :)

Posted by Mark D on June 23, 2009 at 04:46 AM PDT #

I was 50 when I broke my tib/fib and it was 18 months before they could remove the tibia plate and another 4 months before they removed the fibula plate. The reason for the time gap was the number of screws in the tibia (14) left a lot of holes that they wanted to heal up before removing the other plate.

Posted by Mark White on June 23, 2009 at 06:25 AM PDT #

I went on vacation to Cabo San Lucas in NOvember 2008 and cut it short by breaking my leg while I was there. I broke the tib and the fib in several places. I jumped into the pool and landed wrong (I guess) and my ankle was shoved up into the bones and shattered them. Had surgery in Mexico to put me back together with external fixation (looked like a tinker toy screwed into my leg and ankle) so I could get home. Had surgery again when I got home. 13 screws and a plate. I made it through all of that, very slowly it seemed. Now I am facing the removal of this hardware. YIKES! I'm a little scared. I have read the posts which makes me feel somewhat better. I am just curious from you readers/posters of how long your recovery time was. I am walking fine, but it is still very stiff. There is no squatting, going down stairs is difficult, no running, etc. When my surgeon removes the hardware he said he is going to break up the scar tissue that has built up in there from being immobile for too long. He said that should fix the stiffness. I hope so. I love to ski (I live in Colorado) and I love the outdoors, etc. Haven't had alot of that since I broke my leg. And skiing, NO WAY. Anyone who has had a similar injury, I would love feedback as to how you are doing now.

Posted by B. Cutler on July 14, 2009 at 12:28 PM PDT #

Thanks for your input, Mark. Did you have stiffness up until your hardware removal? Did you have PT after the removal? I'm just a little nervous about it not ever being normal again. And what was your recovery time after removal? Could you walk right away after surgery? Time off work? Sorry for all the questions. =) Still have alot of anxiety and fear.

Posted by B. Cutler on July 14, 2009 at 01:30 PM PDT #

i broke my ankle in Nov 2008 fell down stairs. Had a plate with 6 screws and two very large screws in anckle bone. It has been almost nine months on the 10th of Aug.2009. Every day is some kind of pain. It is better however I find stairs a problem, unable to run, when I get up from sitting it feels stiff and unable to get going . My doctor has said the hardware is mine to keep but I am thinking I would really like it removed. I wish I would have seen this web earlyer it has giving me some hope that there are others out there like me. My doctor told me I would not get this out unless I had a problem with it, ever day is a problem. After reading all the info on you all I am think about removal and in hopes of feeling better. But am scared of the surgery again part!Thank you for all you hope!

Posted by jana white on August 07, 2009 at 09:36 PM PDT #

I am scheduled for surgery August 21, which was a little bit of a surprise for me. I wasn't expecting to do it until Nov. or Dec. I'm pretty excited to get that hardware out. He is also going to clean up the scar tissue. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it "cleans out" the stiffness! Your symptoms, Jana White, are exactly what I am having at this time. My doc says what he is doing should fix that. I will let you know.

Posted by B. Cutler on August 09, 2009 at 05:48 PM PDT #

I just had a plate and 8 screws removed from the base and first joint area of my big toe of my right foot. I was wondering how long it takes for all of those 8 screw holes to fill back in? Otherwords, how long for the bone to heal back completely. I'm 6'5" 240 pounds and it has already been 5 weeks since the surgeon removed the titanium and he has not mentioned "Weight Bearing" what so ever to me. I have been on crutches for over a yera now due to Dupuytren's Contracture Disease tumors cut out of the arch on this foot twice last year. Just thought I would ask you about how long for the bone to completely heal so I can put all 240 pounds onto it. My Mom is an awesome cook!!
Thanks so Much!!
Phil

Posted by Phil Whisenant on August 12, 2009 at 06:28 PM PDT #

Hi Everyone,

I am happy to hear everyone has had good experiences with having their hardware removed... I missed the last step running down the stairs 1 month after having a c-section and had to had plate, screws and 2 pins put in my ankle... It was horrible; I am in pain everyday and too can feel the screws and pins.. I have had recent xrays that clearly show me the 3 of the 9 screws are backing out but neither 3 of the Drs. agree with what I see... I am having them removed September 2nd and your website makes me feel confident with my decision to have them removed even thou the 3 Drs. don't believe I need to and they tell me my pain may not improve... I have not seen anyone discuss the price of this procedure... Did anyone elses Dr. believe having the hardware removed would not help with the pain? GOD Bless all of you... Thanks for sharing your stories...

Posted by Michelle on August 19, 2009 at 12:59 PM PDT #

Months ago my surgeon told me that removing the plate and screws from my foot probably wouldn't help my pain level go down much but some three after talking to him two of eight screws total begain backing out themselves. One even broke through the skin so then the surgeon was sure of taking the hardware out of my foot. It was rejecting it. I feel less pressure but not a lot of pain has left.My main concern now is dealing with the horrible nerve damage pain I am dealing with now. No one knows really what to do about it!

Posted by Phil Whisenant on August 19, 2009 at 02:14 PM PDT #

Hi Everyone,

I just had my 2 pins, plate and 7 screws removed on Wednesday Sept 2nd.. I am having so much pain, more than when I had the stuff put in.. I had a blocker from the knee down and an epidural... I kept telling the Dr. I was not getting numb from the knee down and they kept telling me it could take about 45 mts but the epidural would already be working by then... Thank GOD it did.. They gave me medicine to relax which I feel asleep... I woke up in so much pain on the one side I kept telling them that was not numb they gave me a percocet and told me I was a ok to go home... I asked to speak to the Dr. and they told me I already had but they were sure I didn't remember especially since I told the Dr. I loved him and that he was so nice.. Thank GOD I don't remember... I have slept about 5 hours in 48 hours percocet has not helped even thou I was told to take 2 every 4 hours... They switched me to oxycontin which only puts me to sleep for an hour or so on and off... I was told I could take hydrocodone in between that... Has anyone else had more pain having the stuff taking out than dealing with a broken bone and having surgery? Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

Posted by Michelle on September 05, 2009 at 08:14 PM PDT #

I have a 13 inch tibial plate with 13 screws and 5 screws in the tibial plateau. My ortho doc now wants to remove the plate about 2 weeks before knee replacement surgery. I have been having a lot of pain that he says the knee replacement will fix. I also am having pain in my ankle that we will address later. Tomorrow I will find out if some of the pain is from a bone infection that may be treated with IV antibiotics first. Has anyone else had this type of surgery? I am really scared that the tibia has been weakened by the screw holes to the point of perhaps breaking...otherwise I am good with the surgeries. The pain right now with the hardware in place and the traumatic arthritis of the knee is a strong motivator!

Posted by Michelle Harston on September 08, 2009 at 06:22 PM PDT #

Michelle, I had a tibial plate with 13 screws inserted in March 2007 (the year I turned 50 - yahoo!) after I broke tibia and fibula snowboarding. I had constant irritation including from a screw that protruded on the ankle bone.
In April 2008, I had the plate and screws removed - what a difference it made! Was only off work with feet up for 2 weeks, and could put weight on it right away. Major concern was swelling from tissue damage and infection but I encountered neither one - received IV antibiotics right after surgery and kept an eye on things - went fine. If I recall, the incidence of bone infection is minimal - less than 5-10 %.

I can honestly say it was a great relief to have the hardware removed - everything is so much better now. And - not to fear about holes - they are relatively small and heal quickly, presuming you have good nutrition etc. There should be NO reduction in bone strength within 2-4 months after removal.

Hope your knee replacement goes well too!.

Steve

Posted by Steve on September 16, 2009 at 05:43 AM PDT #

Good morning!
Well, my doc has had a change of mind after the bone scan and MRI. He now says that the stainless steel of 3 screws in the tibial plate and the 5 inch ankle plate (with 6 screws) is reacting to the titanium of the rest of the screws in the tibal plate and the tibial plate itself. I am scheduled for that surgery Monday. He talked about removing the tibial plate later, but wanted to wait because it will be a "violent and bloody operation" (his words!) Evidently they used a kind of screw that locks into place on the plate....anyway, that's what is going on for now. I also my accident shortly after my 50th birthday. I was hit by a pick up truck riding my bike to work. I was going to have a tat put over the scar "Leg by Harley" Glad I waited now!

Posted by Michelle on September 16, 2009 at 06:29 AM PDT #

Hi Alyssa,

I had my surgery to remove my 2 pins, plate and 6 screws on the 2nd of September after having them in for almost 5 years... I went back to my Dr. on the 15th and was told to wear a boot for 6 weeks because he said even thou I was healed I could step on a pebble and re-break it very easily.. Why don't you ask if you could wear the boot instead of the cast... I actually would have prefered the cast but I am always hurting my ankles one way or another... I am still having a lot of pain but if you are not then you should be fine with the boot... Good Luck and I hope this helps, Michelle

Posted by Michelle on September 29, 2009 at 06:23 AM PDT #

Hi all, I am so glad I found this site. I fell on the ice on my driveway, and had a trimalleor sp? fracture with complete dislocation of my right foot in 02. I had surgery the next day after they "set" the leg and foot back in place. I have a 8" plate with screws, and all kinds of other plates and screws holding the bones together. I did such a number on the tendons and ligaments, that I was in a cast for about 4 months in all. Different casts every couple of weeks, non weight bearing. Now I am 7 years out, and for the past 2- 3 years have been having so much trouble walking, because I am in so much pain, with the posterior tendon failure causing the bones to shift against the plates. My knee and my hip are now almost as painful as the ankle. I am having surgery on October 30th to remove the hardware, and repair the posterior tibial tendon failure. I was told I may need further surgery after that to fix the bones that are shifting out of alignment! Right now it is going to be a scope and removal, because they can't do an MRI with all that hardware in there. I just want to be able to walk again. I am so encouraged that others have been through the removal of hardware and found some relief! Any one else have a dislocation fracture like this and repair of the tendons with removal of hardware? I am also worried about all the holes in the bones, and ending up worse than I am now. I am 47, and want to be able to walk without a cane! thanks for sharing your experiences!

Posted by Patti on October 04, 2009 at 08:35 AM PDT #

hi, my mom is getting a plate and 5 screws an two pins out of her ankle. I am trying to find out what care she will need afterwards. will she be back to bing non weight bearing? is it like starting over with a fracture?

Posted by kathy on October 27, 2009 at 01:08 PM PDT #

Has anyone had hardware removal from their elbow? I obliterated (dislocated and broke it in three places) my elbow 8 1/2 months ago and now the soft tissue seems to be getting very unhappy with the hardware. Things seem to keep getting "caught", making me feel like my skin is being ripped open. Hardware is still in place OK, but I am probably going to get the hardware taken out soon and wondered how it goes with elbows since they are so temperamental and the surgeon said he would get everything out he could.

Here is what my elbow currently looks like:
http://fwd4.me/3Is

Posted by Holly on November 07, 2009 at 11:44 AM PST #