Has Anyone Had Plates And Screws Removed From Leg After A Bad Break...

[kylesmum]

and was there an improvement?

My sis had multiple fractures a few years back in her leg (5) including a nasty spiral tibula.
She had 2 plates and 12 screws inserted in a lengthy op.

She now has pain and swelling on the top of her foot and she had a large swelling, at least 4inches by inches on the scar where the the fibula was dealt with and where the plate ends....just the past few days.

Will this be due to the metal plates aggravating her tissue?

She is in constant pain and she is struggling with this. She is reluctant to go to the her GP as she can't face another operation.

Does anyone have any previous experience of plates and screws being removed? I understand her reluctance but i'm sure they're not helping her.

Thank you in advance.

[kylesmum]

She still has the swelling and it's 4x4...her foot and leg are painful, pins and needles as well as pain and swelling.

[woofgang]

my late dad had his removed from his ankle more than 40 years ago and, working in the NHS, I have dealt with many people who have had screws and plates removed when the break has healed and the screws start to work loose which can allow the plate to move. If this is the case, it will only loosen more and give her more trouble.....sorry, not what she wants to hear.

[woofgang]

if she has pins and needles as well as pain and swelling she NEEDS to see the doc as there is a risk that she is damaging the nerve.

[kylesmum]

Thanks woof....I suspected as much. I needed something concrete to present her with as I can see myself she is struggling. You can actually see the plate sticking out her skin.Something isn't right.

Think it's what she needs to hear. Thank you.

[kylesmum]

Methyl....not cutting the skin, sorry I didn't make that clear.Just poking out under the skin where they didn't before.

Thank you ever so much for your concern though.

[kylesmum]

I shall deal with her Methyl. Thank you and rest assured I shall keep you posted !
Thank you again for your concern, very much appreciated.

[Sqad]

Not enough information.

How long ago was her fracture?.....how old is your sister?.....has she any underlying medical problems and is she taking any medication?

Are the two swellings hard or soft?

This could be due to many things, but two come to mind.....acute osteoarthritis due to tissue reaction as you mentioned or less likely...much less likely...osteomyelitis (infection).

I agree with the posts of woofy......this needs sorting out by X-Rays.
Make an appt to see you GP.

[kylesmum]

She's seeing GP next week, think she has a screw loose as she feels something moving in her ankle. Thanks for all your help, it helped me to help her to go forward with the problem. I'll update you although I suspect it'll be another Consultant referral.

[kylesmum]

Sorry Sqad...swellings were/are firm (they come and go depending on any activity, like walking).Didn't ask what meds she was on as she likely wouldn't have said. Injured just over 3yrs ago and late 40's.

[Sqad]

Thanks kylesman.........it does sound like something mechanical.....a screw loose or something.

[Peter Pedant]

.
Has Anyone Had Plates And Screws Removed From Leg After A Bad Break..
and was there an improvement?

pain post plating is common and the common reaction is to remove them and see if that helps

[kylesmum]

Thank you both, appreciate your feedback.

I'll post when we have a result.

[kylesmum]

Meant to say, the reluctance to go her GP is that she is scared her bone will be much weaker after the plates and screws are removed. It's like a security blanket for her as she has been hesitant since it happened.

She has a fair amount of metal in her leg , she has been told by several people, and I guess that has made her wary.

I suppose she will have to be guided and to suck it and see. Pain on a daily basis can't be acceptable, although it's worse now.

Thanks again, everyone.

[kylesmum]

Methyl.... thank you. She doesn't see it as a urgent so it's down to others to nag her, although she is pain daily. She was incapacitated for almost a year so she thinks that she will have a similar set back, just as she's getting back on her feet so to speak.