Hey Kathy - recovery is a definitely a spectrum, not a destination. Feel free to read through the whole blog, or you can get my e-book which tracks everything chronologically. https://gumroad.com/products/GgWRq/edit
Hi, I broke my left fibula and tibia of my ankle last March and had a plate with screws put in that same day. I have since has a large screw taken out so that I was able to weight bear fully. I don't know whether to have all of the hardware taken our as I have been given the option too. I have constant pain and stiffness where the plate is and I also have a part where the edge of the plate is sticking out underneath my skin. This hurts when I ban it and gives me a lot of pain. Do you think having it removed would be the best for me. The only reason why I don't know whether to have it done or not is because of the chance of me breaking it again because of the holes that will be there when it's removed and because of the recovery time. How long after the removal surgery o you have to stay nin-weight bearing for because this was a big issue for me lat time as I couldn't use crutches and was confined to a wheelchair. Any advice on this will be greatly appreciated.
This sounds like a great conversation to have with your surgeon. The holes close up in a few weeks, and the recovery time is nothing like the first surgery. You should check out the rest of my posts, I talk more about my recovery over time.
I have exactly the same thing and I just removed the plate and screws a week ago look this thing must be determined by you surgeon but I can tell you removing is better than keeping eventually it has to be removed and you can just get over with everything and start living normal again hope this helps
Ugh Mihal you may not remember me but I'm back!!! A year later. I just had my screws and hardware removed, I'm 8 days post surgery. I'm not in that much pain... but I have stitches which scare me to weight bare. I should be tapping my foot here and there. I'm in a walking boot but unfortunately I barely can reach my heal to go down so I can actually step. Did you exeperience this? Really wish I would've got the clear glue instead of stitches.
Hmmm, I'm not totally sure I can picture what you're going through with the heal. In my opinion, if the doc says you should be doing something, at least try it, and then if it's not working circle back and ask for suggestions.
Thank you for all your comments, it helped to motivate me to convince my doctor to remove, he wanted to wait at least a year. I had my hardware removed today at exactly my 12 week mark after surgery. I told my doctor that I was in more pain than I really was to aid in convincing him to remove it. I had to even bring him case studies, can you imagine. I feel at least a 70% difference in stiffness and it is only day one. I am soooo glad I was able to get the removal done. I dont think it is fair that the doctor tries to have the final in this matter when they know the bone is healed. Thank you again.
Hi there! I’m in same position. I had a bimalleolar fracture repair of my left ankle 12 weeks ago. Been doing PT but still limping d/t limited ROM. I’m improving but seem stuck now at this level. Saw my surgeon today and he said no removal till 1 year. He gave me ankle brace to wear and said to come back in 6 weeks. How did you convince your surgeon to take hardware out so soon? Also started swimming today in hopes it would help my mobility.
Hey Laura, hmmm I didn’t have to convince him, he determined that it was the right amount of time. If you feel like your surgeon’s recommendation isn’t right, get a second or third opinion!
I'm going in tomorrow to have my ankle hardware removed. Your comments and video were a big help. How long was your recovery?
ReplyDeleteHey Kathy - recovery is a definitely a spectrum, not a destination. Feel free to read through the whole blog, or you can get my e-book which tracks everything chronologically. https://gumroad.com/products/GgWRq/edit
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHi, I broke my left fibula and tibia of my ankle last March and had a plate with screws put in that same day. I have since has a large screw taken out so that I was able to weight bear fully. I don't know whether to have all of the hardware taken our as I have been given the option too. I have constant pain and stiffness where the plate is and I also have a part where the edge of the plate is sticking out underneath my skin. This hurts when I ban it and gives me a lot of pain. Do you think having it removed would be the best for me. The only reason why I don't know whether to have it done or not is because of the chance of me breaking it again because of the holes that will be there when it's removed and because of the recovery time. How long after the removal surgery o you have to stay nin-weight bearing for because this was a big issue for me lat time as I couldn't use crutches and was confined to a wheelchair. Any advice on this will be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great conversation to have with your surgeon. The holes close up in a few weeks, and the recovery time is nothing like the first surgery. You should check out the rest of my posts, I talk more about my recovery over time.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI have exactly the same thing and I just removed the plate and screws a week ago look this thing must be determined by you surgeon but I can tell you removing is better than keeping eventually it has to be removed and you can just get over with everything and start living normal again hope this helps
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteHi, how long after the removal operation was you able to weight bear ?
ReplyDeleteUgh Mihal you may not remember me but I'm back!!! A year later. I just had my screws and hardware removed, I'm 8 days post surgery. I'm not in that much pain... but I have stitches which scare me to weight bare. I should be tapping my foot here and there. I'm in a walking boot but unfortunately I barely can reach my heal to go down so I can actually step. Did you exeperience this? Really wish I would've got the clear glue instead of stitches.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I'm not totally sure I can picture what you're going through with the heal. In my opinion, if the doc says you should be doing something, at least try it, and then if it's not working circle back and ask for suggestions.
DeleteThank you for all your comments, it helped to motivate me to convince my doctor to remove, he wanted to wait at least a year. I had my hardware removed today at exactly my 12 week mark after surgery. I told my doctor that I was in more pain than I really was to aid in convincing him to remove it. I had to even bring him case studies, can you imagine. I feel at least a 70% difference in stiffness and it is only day one. I am soooo glad I was able to get the removal done. I dont think it is fair that the doctor tries to have the final in this matter when they know the bone is healed. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteHi there! I’m in same position. I had a bimalleolar fracture repair of my left ankle 12 weeks ago. Been doing PT but still limping d/t limited ROM. I’m improving but seem stuck now at this level. Saw my surgeon today and he said no removal till 1 year. He gave me ankle brace to wear and said to come back in 6 weeks. How did you convince your surgeon to take hardware out so soon? Also started swimming today in hopes it would help my mobility.
DeleteHey Laura, hmmm I didn’t have to convince him, he determined that it was the right amount of time. If you feel like your surgeon’s recommendation isn’t right, get a second or third opinion!
Delete