Question - Tibia - Fibula Hardware Removal

by David
(Los Angeles, CA)

I am a 42 yr old male in very good shape. 7 months ago I broke my tibia and fibula in a freak accident. I had 2 surgeries and currently have 2 rods and 9 screws in my left leg. The bones have healed but I am still experiencing a lot of swelling and discomfort which seem to be tied to periodic bouts of fever. I'm concerned I have a low grade infection.

My surgeon has recommended that I have the hardware removed asap since the x-rays show that the bones have healed.

I had a second opinion and that doctor said that he usually never takes out the hardware less than one year after the initial surgery unless there is no choice.

I'm not sure if the risk of removing the hardware less than one year is greater than leaving hardware in there that is potentially causing a low grade infection.

Any thoughts??

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Question - Tibia - Fibula Hardware Removal

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Apr 02, 2012
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Go for It! NEW
by: IGG

I had pilon facture two years ago this June. This past October I had my hardware removed which was over the one year point. My docter too wanted to wait a year and I believe he was right. In the end, I am much more comfortable!

Mar 31, 2012
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removal of hardware after bimolar ankle fracture NEW
by: gmama

I was on this website on a nightly basis after I broke my ankle on 2/20/11. Being a mom to two little boys, I felt helpless. After my surgery, which include a plate, 12 screws and two pins, I looked here for reassurance. I was on a cruiser for six weeks and walking with air cast for an additional four weeks. In the first week of May, I was able to walk without cast and drive again!!!!
The pain was always there. I had gained some perspective about relishing the freedom of movement and I have always had a high tolerance for pain. But I am only 33, and I knew I had a chance to improve. Today, 3/30/12, my doc removed all the hardware. I'm planning on resting the next couple days, but while walking a little, I cannot believe the marked improvement. I figure if I feel like this today, what will I feel like it a week???? It is nothing short of exhilarating. My doc, who is brilliant, says he has never had a patient refracture after hardware removal.
Thus, if you have the oppritunity, and fiscal means (my insurance paid for it), do it!!!!!
I hope this message is helpful to someone out there.

Feb 16, 2012
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hardware removal NEW
by: JH

I tore my meniscus 3 months ago. I also fractured my tibia plateau 12 years ago and have a plate w/ 3 screws. The ortho said I should of had the hardware out and now wants to take it out while repairing the tear. Has anyone had their plate & pins out after such a long time? What was the recovery like? Any help would be appreciated.

Jan 16, 2012
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Tibial plateu obliteration NEW
by: Anonymous

18 months ago I was "t-boned" by a girl on the beach.right knee shoved its way into tibial plateau, crushing it and then cracking my tibia.had surgery, they reconstructed my joint and inserted a plate with screws to join my tibia together.i had to learn to reuse my right leg,from walking to driving (i was quite depressed over this) butphysical therapy worked wonders.i did all my exercises and gradually left the crutches and was walking on my own.however,the plate was quite troublesome and gave me pain throughout the bone of my leg.my doctor said plate MUST stay until bone healed...so as soon as he said it was healed i requested it to be removed.2 weeks ago, it was all removed.even though I will permanently suffer from arthritis in my knee, my aches of the tibia have gone away. I have not had to take pain medicine for my tibia anymore.I am non weight bearing for 2 more weeks but after seeing my hardware with my eyes, there is no doubt in my mind that it was causing me pain. I wish all the best to those who are healing but I did pull through! did find out I have osteopenia so i must take calcium and I feel that it helps.

Jan 13, 2012
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Bone Growth Stimulator NEW
by: Anonymous

I am a 48 year old woman (post menapausal). On February 13, 2011, I was thrown from my horse. My L4 was fractured, and my left tibial plateau was crushed. Hardware and screws were implanted in my back, and I have 12 screws, a plate and a bone graft holding my tibial plateau together. My leg surgeon did not place me on full weight bearing status until the first week of July, 2011. During the first 5 months of recovery, I was diligent in eating 3 balanced meals per day, and drinking a glass of whole milk with every meal. I also took care to eat foods rich in calcium citrate and calcium carbonate. You are so RIGHT! It is a slow, slow, slow process. During those long and lonely months, I had wondered whether or not I was ever going to get out of the wheelchair. Although it has now been 11 months post op, I am still recovering. I now walk with a cane and attend maintenance rehab 3x a week. I hope that by the year end of 2012 that I will be able to dance for the New Year 2013. Good luck to you, and to all others recovering from severe injuries. Also, take care to be patient with yourself and your caregivers. In regard to a bone growth stimulator, check out the following link: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/bone-growth-stimulator.html

Jan 12, 2012
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18 screws, 2 plates I want them out! NEW
by: Anonymous

I am 14 weeks post op from a medial tib/fib fracture. Fell while hiking in remote Canada. Good news was my medic brother was with me. Bad news middle of nowhere. Slow, slow, slow is the recovery process. I guess overall I am not doing to badly. Returned to work (desk job) and started physical therapy at 3 weeks (my request, would recommend starting asap ..helps range of motion, even just non weight bearing and strength training of non injured areas). I have swelling issues like crazy, and constant ache. Both of which doc says is most likely hardware related. My bones have not healed in all spots (multiple fractures at time of injury) so at this point hardware is holding it together so cannot be removed) I am told that time is my friend in the healing game. I go back next week for more exrays, if still no more growth we are going to add a bone growth stimulator...does anyone have input on pros or cons of stimulator? Please share. Thnx.

Sep 24, 2011
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Removal after 4 months
by: Anonymous

Well, after 3 months of good recovery of broken fibula fixation with a plate and six screws (one of them a syndesmotic screw), the surrounding skin started to ache and become red. A month later, 3 "holes" appeared where the screws are supposed to be and you can even see them! The doctor oriented to use Fibrase for the healing, but it cleans the wounds as much as it causes pain: a lot! Since it isn't working, he suggested the removal of the plate. We'll see...

Sep 19, 2011
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Had my hardware removed after 3 mos.
by: Anonymous

I suffered a tib fib fracture at the end of June. Had a plate and several screws and this special string put in to hold the two bones the right distance apart without being rigid. Six weeks later I had to have the string removed due to a nasty infection that wouldn't go away. Another 3 weeks later they removed the metal because I was getting a lot of redness, burning and swelling and it was getting worse. It appeared that the infection was coming back even after the second surgery and three rounds of antibiotics. So 10 weeks after the hardware was put in, it's all out. That was 5 days ago and it feels better already. I'm back to bearing only 50% weight, but only for acouple of weeks. I think it was the right move but will have to be careful as there are now holes in the bone after the screws came out. My Dr. Said normally they like to wait at least 6 months. Good luck!

Jul 26, 2011
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hardware removal
by: Anonymous

My husband got the plate out 6 weeks ago & it has been better than fabulous for him.

They had barely wheeled him in from recovery, he was not fully conscious & was moving his ankle around with more mobility than he'd had in 2 years.

He has been pain free & the increased mobility has been better than he expected.

About a week later, he realized that his back hadn't hurt since the surgery!! Back pain had stopped him from walking around & standing for any period of time was out of the question. His back pain is completely gone.

He feels 1000% better with the tibia plate & 7 screws out!

Thanks

Jul 26, 2011
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sooner the better
by: Anonymous

If you are going to have them removed, the sooner the better. I had 2 plates and 12 screws in Tib/Fib for 12 years. My original Dr. moved out of state. The Fib one was bothering me so much it was keeping me up at night. I had them removed - the bone had grown completely over the plate! Its been a long recovery.

Jun 03, 2011
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tibia plate only
by: Anonymous

My husband broke his tibia only nearly 2 years ago & it scheduled to get the plate & 7 screws out next week.

I'm wondering what his recovery time would be. I'm assuming not too serious, as there isn't any muscle over the plate & its not near his ankle bone.

It has been bothering him & we haven't been able to do much walking as a family ie. Disneyland has been off the table for 2 years now.

Any ideas??

May 11, 2011
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Hardware removal
by: Anonymous

I had a metal plate and 9 screws removed on March 18th after having an open reduction on December 24, 2009 for an open comminuted tib/fib fracture. I was in pain and could not flex my foot properly. About 3 weeks ago I started experiencing oozing from the site and now am experiencing more pain than from when I had the hardware removal surgery. I'm now second guessing having it removed. I had an MRI yesterday to find out exactly what's wrong and fear that I have an infection. This will be the 2nd one since the initial surgery. I will say that I can flex my foot better but as far as the pain, until I find out what's wrong, it probably won't get better. Good luck with your removal.

Mar 28, 2011
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plate and 8 screws gone
by: Guest in VT

On 3/21/11 (1 week ago today) I had a plate and 8 screws removed from my femur. The hardware was in there because of a distal femoral osteotomy - we realigned my center of gravity over another part of my knee to try and use the remaining "good" cartilage until I'm old enough for a knee replacement (33 y/o). Removing the hardware after 11.5 months is the best decision I've every made. The rubbing on my IT band was cause of constant pain. I was walking, gingerly, 3 days after surgery. Today, I left my crutches at home and walk carefully and limit the number of stairs.

If the plate and screws hurt - take them out if you're healed adequately enough for the procedure!

Feb 16, 2011
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I had my plates taken out at 10 months...
by: USC patient

I would recommend that if you do have your plates taken out at 7 months that you be really careful with major weight bearing and really take it easy until the full year passes since your surgery. It sounds as if your infection may be an issue so it would be good to get rid of the cause. Is it good to have a surgery while you have an infection? Just asking? I had mine taken out at 10 months and I had an issue with my bone not healing perfectly straight. The Dr. said that apparently it was not healed all the way. I feel for you, trust your body. You know when something is wrong but I would deffinitely ask your Dr. more questions about the cause of your fever and risks if you have a surgery when you have an infection.

Feb 16, 2011
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rod removel
by: Anonymous

Hi I have a rod in my leg for a 4 weeks now. I was told by my doctor that you don't remove the rod once it is in unless you are having issues with the rod. Otherwise they stay in you forever they are not to come out later. Like I said on if you are having some issues with it would be the only reason to take it out.

Jan 31, 2011
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Tib/Fib break no surgery
by: Anonymous

I broke my fibula and have a spiral fracture of my lower tibia. Because my alignment is acceptable, i was told that i did not need internal rod and pins, just long leg cast etc. I'm a bit worried if it will heal without any hardware supporting the break

Jan 31, 2011
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SAME PROBLEM
by: TAIMUR

HI, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BACK IN JULY 2009. I ALREADY HAD 2 SURGERIES ONE FOR THE INSERTION OF PLATE AND 6 SCREWS AND 1 SCREW AT THE ANKLE 3 MONTHS LATER 1 SCREW WAS REMOVED AND NOW I HAVE TO FOR THE THIRD SURGERY FOR THE REMOVAL OF PLATE AND REMAINING 6 SCREWS. ITS BETTER TO KEEP THE PLATE FOR 1 YEAR FOR BETTER RECOVERY AND HEALING.

Jan 12, 2011
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worried about risk of refracture
by: downhill mountain biker

20 yo otherwise healthy male. i had a very traumaitc bi maliolis ankle fracture [ tib/ fib] 7 months ago. my first surgery i got 14 screws, 2 plates, and an infection. 2 weeks later i got another surgery too clean out the infection and did 6 weeks of iv and oral antibiotics with 4 more months of oral antibiotics . now the bone graft on my fib is eroding, my joint is space is compacting and one of the screws in my fib is rubbing on my talus bone in my foot. i have to have that screw removed. the surgeon wants to remove all the hardwear. i am not back in action fully, but am worried because of my genral high level of activity i wuold be at risk of breaking my fib where it is erroded or fracturing at one of the screw holes. i feel like there may be some added support to having the hardwear and screws there, and of how far back i will be set with PT. do you find any validity in this?

Jan 12, 2011
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Jan 10, 2011
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hardware removal
by: Anonymous

I just had hardware removal surgery on 12/29/11 I broke both fibula and tibia March 2010, after 9 months of recovery and feeling like I would never be the same my surgeon who usually doesn't recommend removal until 18 months after break did the surgery. I felt relieve within 24 hours of surgery. It was if someone had removed a clamp from my ankle that had been tightning up. I just went to my surgeon for suture removal and exray and boy was it nice to see the exray of a "normal"
ankle she informed me that when she got into the ankle what they thought was one of the screws was a bone spur which they filed down. I feel so much more hope then I did prior to the removal and would recommend anyone who is struggling with this
change of life injury to have the hardware remove.
Good luck

Jan 07, 2011
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Preparing to have my plate removed
by: Limping in Southern California

It was one year yesterday, Jan. 6, 2010, that I fell and shattered my tibia, dislocated my knee, dislocated my shoulder, and suffered peroneal nerve palsy. I am still limping; still have pain (sometimes very sharp)in my knee; and still walk with a cane. I went for a follow-up with my ortho and my x-rays show that my joint above the plate is collapsing. I am getting it removed in 4 days. Three months from now I am supposed to get a total knee replacement. I'm nervous about going around without the plate for 3 months. How long before I can start exercising on my stationary bike? I have lost almost 20 pounds and need to lose about 20 more. I'm afraid that the recovery time will keep me down and I will not only stop losing but may gain. Any advice? These posts are so encouraging and have provided me with a lot of valuable information.

Dec 31, 2010
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Pilon fracture
by: Laurie

Pilon fracture Nov 09, 2 plates, 16 screws, did everything I was suppose to, still pain when I put any weight on the leg. I could not get rid of the pain in the shin above the hardware and finally had a nuclear bone scan done in July which revealed a stress fracture from the hardware. Stayed on crutches till partial hardware removal at end of Nov 10 (waited the desirable year). Instantly no shin pain. Amazing for that pain to be gone! Can't recommend it enough, hobble as fast as you can to day surgery and remove that hardware!

Dec 24, 2010
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Ankle hardware removal
by: 4wheeler

It has been 9 weeks post op and I am doing great. I am glad I made the choice to have all hardware removed. My right femur feels great. I feel like I have a new right leg now. More powerful without any pain. My ankle is doing good. That one worried me. The swelling finally went down, and I have been doing my exercises to keep my range of motion going, which is very important. So, in all, I would recommend to anyone who is considering hardware removal, wait the year + and go for it. it is all worth it. Now I can wear boots without it hurting or binding on my ankle. I am up to 4.5 on the treadmill, and am bouncing on my trampoline like nothing happened. So go for it.

Dec 22, 2010
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Follow-up from plate removal 8 mos later
by: Anonymous

Well, here is the good and bad news....
I am the 49 year old female who posted last March about plate removal 10 months after initial surgery. While I have sooooo much more range of motion and the swelling is almost gone some days (it depends upon how much I stand on it) AND it feels so much better BUT I did have a problem. The bone was not quite completely healed according to the doctor and it collapsed slightly upon itself while healing. The result is my fibia bone slightly bows. The good news: it bows in my favor and gave me slightly more range of motion. I recommend listening to your doctors and leave the plates in for over a year for maximum healing time. I DO still recommend having them removed.

Some of things I have found to be really helpful in speeding up the healing is that I am at the gym 3-4 times a week riding the bike. I find this is the best exercise that provides the best cardio and least pressure on my ankle. When I finish the 30-40 minute bike ride, I immediately go the stairs and do my calf exercise where I let my ankle drop down off a single stair and just let it hang for a few minutes then bounce it up and down . It is amazing how much more flexibility I feel that same day and into the next day. Usually after my exercise day, my ankle looks almost normal in size by the next morning. The other thing I have found very helpful is a creme I found at the health food store called Topricin (please google it @ topricin.com). It is all natural without all the "fats" in it offering maximum anti-inflammitory medicine that really gets in and does the job. Then, I put a fairly firm elastic wrap around it to help keep it from swelling while working out. I also do this same treatment if I know I am going out walking for a long period of time.
Overall, I am getting a lot more flexibility and the Dr. says I should continue to get more as time goes on but it is a slow process to make small amounts of increased flexibility....

Dec 21, 2010
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Old Lady w/broken leg
by: Broken Grandma

I shattered my tibia 18 months ago. I have two plates and 17 screws. I am now feeling the arthritis due to the cold weather, significant pain and swelling. My doc suggested having the hardware removed. I just can't get excited about another surgery and recovery. What if it doesn't help? Any advice?

Nov 16, 2010
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Ankle hardware removal
by: 4wheeler

It will be 4 weeks on the 18th of post op. My ankle is still tender and and still experiencing swelling. Able to walk pretty good - I got up to 4.0 mph on the treadmill today, but still need to watch it. Still achy but that comes with the territory. Can hardly wait till I can do more impact type exercises - but that won't happen for about another month. I am still trying to flex my ankle to get my range or motion back - that will take time, too. My right thigh, which I had the hardware removed from my femur, is doing really well. It feels 100% better. Not achy. Can hardly wait till my ankle feels that way. Till then...will keep caring for it.

Nov 08, 2010
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Texan Considering Removal
by: Anonymous

I broke my fibula and Tibia and dislocated my ankle as well as pushed my leg bone up two inches after a motorcycle accident in October 2006. 4 years later and the pain is worsening in my ankle and lower leg. I went to several doctors and they did not recommend removing the 6 screws and metal plate in my leg but at the time I weighed 425 lbs and now thanks to gastric bypass weigh only 253, 8 months later. Just went to specialist Friday and without hesitation he said he wanted to remove the hardware although other doctors keep prescribing PT after a reinjury to the ankle March 2010 due to a auto accident. Just left PT and the pain was excruciating, my range of motion is still poor and my swelling comes and goes. After reading others stories about removal I think Iam going to go for hardware removal. Any advice?

Nov 05, 2010
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4wheeler
by: Ankle hardware removal

Got my staples out on Wednesday. 33 of them to be exact. Doctor took xrays of left ankle, and said to treat it as a "stress fracture", meaning I have to be really careful with it. Can't resume full activity for about 6-8 weeks to give the bones time to fill in with the coral graft that was used to plug the screw holes. This ankle sure hurts. I am back to wearing my big black boot that one is issued after surgery to walk with to protect the ankle. Swelling is still occurring, but this should settle down after a bit. My advice for anyone looking to remove their hardware is to prepare for some healing time - like 6-8 weeks especially if they broke both tibia and fibula bones. I am a 46 yr old female and very active. So this will slow me down for a bit, but just have to let it heal.

Nov 02, 2010
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Ankle Hardware removal
by: 4wheeler

I am on day 12 for post surgery of hardware removal. Best choice ever. I can tell the difference, especially in my femur bone. My left ankle has been pretty sore since the hardware removal. I thing once I get the staples removed tomorrow, then it should be feeling better. The pain sensation I have been experiencing in it feels like someone is rubbing a needle under my skin, but I am sure it's the staples pulling on it. I can hardly wait till I can put weight on it. The doctors wanted me to wait a year for this hardware to come out, and I took it out in 15 months post op of the ankle break. We will see how the therapy works out for rehabiliting it back to full capacity.

Oct 31, 2010
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ankle removal
by: Anonymous

I broke both tib and fib last january. 4 places. had 1 plate and 7 screws on outside and 2 screws on inside. i was having alot of pain and did not have much mobility. went to get a second opinion in september. he said the plate was too long and 4 screws were too long. so he removed it all.. best thing i did. i have some shooting pain thru the ankle only after the swelling has set in. the adema finds the nerves and that makes the shooting pain. they say that should get better. i am so glad i had it removed.

Oct 29, 2010
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Ankle hardware removed
by: 4wheeler

I recently posted a comment a few days ago that I went under surgery on Oct 21, 2010 for tibia and fibula hardware removal. Two plates and 16 screws total, plus I hardware removal in my right femur bone removed from a femoral osteotomy surgery 2 years ago. I am walking with crutches with very light weight pressure on the left ankle and using the right leg as the main one. Staples will come out on Wednesday, but I have been flexing and moving as much as possible. Any suggestions if I can start putting more weight on left ankle or should I be non weight bearing? The doctor wanted me non weight for awhile, but I feel I can add more weight to it. I can hardly wait to start walking again. I have been using a bike to keep movement in my legs. Appreciate any comments.

Oct 25, 2010
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Hardware Removed!
by: Anonymous

I had my hardware removed and sooooo glad I did! I was only on crutches for 1 day and then walking without a limp within 2 about 2 weeks! It was worth having the surgery to have the 7 screws and plate removed from my tibia and fibula. I recommend it if possible.

Oct 21, 2010
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Hardware Removal
by: Anonymous

I just broke my left tib/fib and have (2) 10 inch plates and 20 screws holding my bones together - I asked to have my hardware removed because I still have increased pain and swelling around my ankle and leg. I was told the hardware has to remain in for a year because of the healing time for the bones.

Aug 20, 2010
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Tibia Removal
by: Anonymous

Doctors have recommended that I get the plate removed from my tibia due to bone infection. What should I do? If the bone is healed will I still have problems?

Jul 31, 2010
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ankle fracture hardware removal
by: 45 yr old mom

Im so glad to have this metal off my leg. I fell on Ice Dec 09, then fell on crutches 1 week later and broke 2 more places same leg. The internet was giving me hope as I read all of the people who had shared my pain sometime or another. Knowing things will get better (so glad to have my computer). It is July 2010 and I had the hardware removed. I could tell by the second day I was able to move foot to 90% better. I just got stitches out 14 days later and have been walking without crutches for short distance in house. Foot feels great! Only have slight swelling a twinge of pain if I m up on it. Must be aware of being careful not to over do it standing without support. I still cook dinner in my wheelchair just to keep pressure off leg. I plan to be easy on this leg for 12 weeks so the holes fill in where the screws came out. Nice to get my life back. Be good to your self so your bones will heal well.

May 05, 2010
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Cracked Plate
by: Joey

I broke my Tb and Fib in 10 places on Dec 16th 2009 I have 3 plates and 13 screws. i have been doing Physical therapy for about 2 months and was feeling great untill about 3 weeks ago. I started going backwards with my PT and actually had a lot of trouble walking towards the end, I read all of the posts on here and was convinced i needed to remove my hardware.

I had a doctors appt. yesterday and planned on talking to him about the pain and removing the hardware, we took e xrays right away and before i could really tell him my story of how bad i was feeling he told me I cracked on of the plates! My two options where to have surgery to replace all of the hardware or cast it for 6 weeks with bone stimulation and see if my bone will heel around the plate i guess. Now I am in a cast for 6 weeks! hopefully this works otherwise I will have another surgery and be back at square one.... =(

Mar 12, 2010
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Just had 16 screws and 4 plates removed a week ago today
by: Anonymous

I am a 49 year old female. I It has been exactly a week today since I had my plates and screws removed from a shattered ankle that happened 10 months ago. I can say that already I can tell that I have more range of motion and the recovery and swelling is not nearly as bad as after the break. Hallelujah! I had an "L" bracket across my tibia at the lowest point where it connects with the talus and three other vertical plates. My main complaint was a very limited range of motion and a limp. Intuitively, I knew that the "L" bracket was hitting my bone when I walked. My Dr kept insisting that it should not be hitting that I must have a lot of scar tissue. Well 4 months of therapy and a CT scan later, sure enough the plate had even dug a divot out of my bone. So we all agreed to have ALL the plates and screws removed as well as a capsule release. We did the surgery on an out-patient basis and I'll never forget my Doctor's words as I was coming out of anesthesia, " Everything went better than expected. On the table we got your ROM almost the same as the other foot pointing down and at lease 10 degrees better pointing up". Time will truly tell what kind of full recovery I get but today I could already practice putting weight on it using the crutch of course but I could feel my ankle "giving" past the point I could previously move. I am happy to answer any questions anyone may have since I'm still convalescing at home. Thanks

Mar 09, 2010
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Take it out!
by: Anonymous

I completely shattered my ankle and almost like you, I have 1 rod and 10 screws. My ortho surgeon at the time of my surgery and the months that followed was completely adamant about my not removing the hardware ever and that it was perfectly safe to keep it in there forever. However after the last 6 months of CONSTANT pain and swelling and inability to walk let alone any thing I went in with a speech planned because I wanted the hardware removed! My ortho walked in and just glanced at my ankle and without me even having to say anything automatically said oh, all that needs to come out, your body is rejecting it! So when I should have had the hardware removed months ago... now I have all this scar tissue and bersa sacks (spelling) that have to be cleaned out and removed also causing a longer recovery time. I wouldn't worry that it hasn't been a year. Mine is 14 months and now I have all these extra problems.

Feb 17, 2010
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Maybe not normal but better
by: Sunfish

I still recommend it. I had half of my hardware removed 4 months ago. It is far from normal but no longer have pain in my bone. My pain now is concentrated in the soft tissue and the achilles tendon but as I strengthen it and work on increasing flexibilty it gets better and better. My limp is gone (most of the time) and my ROM is still increasing.

Good luck!

Feb 16, 2010
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Still thinking....
by: LJ

I fractured my tibia and fibula March 2009. I had 5 screws and a plate on the outside and 2 screws on the inside. I did physio for 3 months but still have limited range of motion and constant (not severe) discomfort. The last time I saw my doctor he said to call him in 6 months if I want to have the hardware removed. At first I was 100% sure I would have them removed....now that I'm getting close to making that call I'm hesitant. I was so sick from the anesthetic for a week that I dread the thought of having surgery again. But at the same time I think if my ankle could feel "normal" again, it might be worth it. Seems like a lot of the comments are positive and not too many people regret having it removed. Any advice??

Feb 01, 2010
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Third opinion?
by: Sunfish

I would get more opinions - in an effort to repeat the "take it out" opinion.

At 47 fit and active demolished my tibia at the ankle in a bouldering fall in the rock gym. Eighteen months later every step I took was painful and I was still limping, with a periodic swelling around the plate and screwheads as well as swelling and pain in the joint.

Fourteen weeks ago I got the offending plate and 9 screws taken out (still have plate and 6 screws in) and it is so much better. I no longer have bone pain the limp is gone (except for first thing am). Immediately after the operation although my leg was freshly traumatized and I had 26 staples in it the improvement was noticeable.

It is real important to be super careful the first 3 months since you will be feeling so good - but it is susceptible to refracture so you have to be super super careful. I wore my aircast for 8 weeks to be on the safe side.

Good luck with that!

Jan 26, 2010
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Tibia - Fibula Hardware Removal
by: Anonymous

Hi, I'm 45-yrs old a very healthy lady with full of energy. Last year in June broke my these 2-bones in my lef leg and had surgery and my doctor implanted a titnium rod and 3-screws. Though I don't have any problem but still not feeling like a normal leg and I don't want any rod in my body. My Doctor is ready to move the hardware. Just wondering is there any risks associated with this surgery? Do I need to be on cruches or cast again?
Again PT? pLEASE TELL ME PROS AND CONS about this removal? Will I have general anesthesia again during the surgery?

Thanks.

Neerja

Jan 25, 2010
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Pilon fracture of Tibia and Fibula
by: tarynzen@yahoo.com

On April 9th 2009, I had an acccident when a ladder slipped out from under me and my left foot causing my ankle to twist, leaving me with a communited fracture of both my tibia and fibula bones. The head of my joint looked like a pizza pie with all the crust ends at different angles. Innitially, the doctors felt the injury was too severe and swollen to operate so I was given an exterior fixator for the next 2 1/2 weeks. Then I had a surgery to remove the exterior fixator and was fashioned with 4 plates and 16 screws. I was non mobile for 90 days and didn't start physical therapy until about 110 days after. It has now been 8 months and I have very little mobility. My ankle is stuck at about -7 degrees leaving me with a bad limp unless I wear 2 inch heels and a lot of shin splint type of pain. My Dr. has recommended removing 1/2 of my plates but I am feeling the need to have them all removed. I had two different opionions one from Dr. Kwong- the surgeon to the LA Lakers, he said that there are no guarantees that removing the plates and gaining more movement wont cause more pain giving the joint more flexibility but causing pain from the bones rubbing together more where it may not be as smoothe as it once was. He said that there is very little "fudge" room in the joint and when it gets shattered as mine did there is no guarantee that more movement may not cause more pain. Oh, now the agony of a choice like this. He also said that original bone strength after the screws have been removed and give the chance to heal is stronger that bones with screws still in. I am due to speak with my original surgeon, Dr. Thordarson from USC any minute to discuss the date for the surgery. I want to have them all removed since what I have now is unacceptable to me and I will eventually have an ankle replacement rather than live like this. I am only 49 years old and I've hiked the grand canyon and back in one day, mount whitney in one day as well as completed 3 la marathons. I love to exercise!! any comments welcome.

Oct 23, 2009
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Pilon Fracture
by: Anonymous

I was hiking and only fell a couple of feet with a great amount of axial force and broke my fib and tib in May 09. Fortunately, in emergency there was a ankle fracture trauma surgeon on duty to treat.

2 surgies later, 14 screw, 2 pins and 2 plates, I'm getting ready to have the hardware removed--just the plates and pins. Leaving screws in.

This type of injury is so life altering. I hope I am pain free again and am able to have better flexibility with the hardware removed.

Oct 13, 2009
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nice site
by: jaydub

I recently had my tib plateau screws (7) & plate removed due to infection & constant pain. 3 months later and the infection is showing its head again. Kind of scares me...

The pain from the hardware is no more. It's great.

The 4 years I spent with hardware in were horrible.

Oct 05, 2009
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I'm going in Oct. 22, 09
by: Sunfish

Good to read so many positive comments about hardware removal. I'm scheduled to get half of my hardware (plate 4 screws) removed on Oct.22. The doc suggested half of it because that's where my pain and swelling is - but I can't help but think once I get that out - I'll notice the pain of the other side (plate 6 screws).

It seems that while they've got me - they may as well take it all out instead of having me go back in another year. I will be discussing this with doc at the pre-op and of course ultimately leave it up to him.

My questons;
Is that valid - yank it all out while we are at it? Or is there logic in doing half - seeing how it goes? Then if needed go back in and go through all that recuperation and risk again? Perhaps doing it half and half is less traumatic - although it seems more traumatic to me?

Starting to get nervous...

Sep 30, 2009
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Hardware removal due to Infections
by: Anonymous

My son had tibia plateau fracture torn meniscus . He had a plate put in and 7-9 screws in May 13,2009. He has has several infections- gram negative with surgery. He just had another surgery September 28,2009 to remove the plates and screws due to another deep infection that broke through his lower leg. He is now waiting for test result to see if the infection is in the bone. What is time frame of healing? I am very worried.

Jul 20, 2009
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Going back to teach in 4 weeks
by: Dawn

I broke both my fibula and tibia playing volleyball 3 weeks ago. I recently had surgery one week ago. The doc used a plate, 6 screws, and a bone graph. However, I have to start back in the classroom by mid August. Starting in a wheelchair is going to be strange...how soon have others returned to work after this type of surgery?

Jun 05, 2009
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comments is useful .. now i am also thinking of hardware removal ...
by: Rahul Mehta

Hi

Myself Rahul mehta from india .. i had an small accident last year .... i jump from a 3 feet hight and my leg get twisted( all my body weights come on knee) and i heard a crack sound .. my tibia just below the knee cracked very long cut .. till the middle of the tibia approx 7-9 inch .. i had an surgery the doc told me the bone is crushed into small pieces so bone graft was the only solution that time .. so they take a small bone piece from my pelvic and inserted into my tibia gap ..

and covered with 4-6 inches plate with 6 screws..
after long rest nearly 6-8 months now i feel better.. i can walk perfectally( 70% OK) i can drive a car as well ..

yesterday i visited to my doctor and he said after 1 more year they can remove the hardware upon my wish ..

i am afraid to go a surgery again ..
but after reading your comments i can think ..

pls submit ur more experience after removal hardware ..

is it possible to rn again after removal the hardware ..??

Thanks you so much for all ur comments ...

May 07, 2009
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hardware removal
by: Laura

I am having my hardware removed 6/3/09. I broke my tib/fib in 1996 and had a non-union/non healing fracture. I had twelve surgeries from 1996-2000. I continued to have pain with a very elevated SED rate and C-reactive protein. My last surgery was in 2008 and my new surgeon said its time for the hardware to come out. He suspects a latent infection. I hope the surgery works and reading everyones comments I am sure I am making the right decision!

Apr 20, 2009
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WOW! THanks for the positive feedback
by: Anonymous

I am having the hardware removed from my tibia next week and have been very leary, not understanding how it will help with my walking and pain but reading the positive comments make me feel so much better about the decision. The pins will remain in the fibula because I have a nonunion, the bone graft wasn't successful and neither was the stimulation.

I hope that next week I will be writing I am pain free! And that I am walking without a limp!

thanks

Mar 14, 2009
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Thank you
by: Anonymous

I was having second thoughts about removing the 9 screws and plate from my healed broken tibia from August of '07. The pain recently has gotten worse and I am unable to be as active as I would like to be. After reading your comments I am confident that I am now making the right decision. Thank you : )

Mar 14, 2009
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Mar 11, 2009
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Update
by: McDonald

I got over my infection easily enough, caught it early and had some heavy-duty oral antibiotics, but I continued to have pain when attempting to run/jump and never regained a normal walking pattern. I ended up having all the hardware removed in May '08, just under one year from the original accident. I was on crutches again and off full-duty as a fireman for another 6 weeks.

I am here to tell you that there was an immediate and noticeable improvement as soon as I was bearing weight on it again. Within a few months later it was nearly pain free.

I am nearing the two-year mark in another two months. Other than some circulation issues in my foot, which is attributed to the intense soft-tissue trauma that was caused during the injury and two subsequent surgeries, and a big-ass scar down the front of my leg and across my ankle, I am near my pre-injury leg status. I walk and hike regularly to strengthen it, running is an option but one I avoid if possible. Sometimes after I run I get shin-splint type pain...but still WAY less than the pain I got from the hardware. Also...when the weather goes wet and cold I can get a faint ache in my calf muscle, but completely tolerable.

Bottom line...worth the extra time and energy (and money) to get it removed.

Mar 11, 2009
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Broken Tibia/Fibula
by: Nicole

I wondered how it was going for you. Just read the posts as I was trying to see what anyone did with their injuries in the same region. I broke my tibia and fibula in 02 on my left leg. Well, I first got a plate and screws in it. He had me weightbear before I was ready and the bone healed sort of crooked. I went to another set of doctors who did another surgery on me with an external fixator. Well it is now looking the same way and it bothers me. It is crooked and hurts my knee. I am scared to get another surgery for fear of being laid of for a year or more and I have a 10 month old at this point in my life. No one else to run after him all day. Just wondered how it worked out for you.

Jun 07, 2008
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My tib/fib fx experience
by: McDonald

33 y/o male, June '07 I suffered an oblique/comminuted fracture of my left distal tibia and proximal fibula. The distal tibia was split, lengthwise, approximately 6-inches. A 6-hour surgery left me with an 8-inch stainless plate and 11 locking screws in my tibia.

The accident occurred while racing a dirtbike in the Baja 500, a rider I was attempting to pass went down causing me to be deflected against a steep embankment. The embankment caught the toe edge of my left boot, rotating it outward and rearward, and as the weight of the bike fell against my rotated leg, it fractured.

Fellow racers dragged me off the narrow course and into the bushes, so as to prevent me from being run-over. Two hours later a helicopter rescue crew was able to package and hike me a 1/4 mile to where they were able to land. After being flown to Ensenada, stabilized in a hospital ER, then driven by private vehicle back to Southern California, I received surgery 4 days later.

I spent the first month stationary, the next three on crutches, one in a walking boot. After the boot I was cleared to return to full-duty as a firefighter. I was never able to run, jump, or stand for long periods without pain in the area of the hardware. My pain was a "stress riser", pain where the plate stopped mid-tibia, it created a point of stress because the bone could not flex the way it is supposed to. I also had pain where the plate rubbed on the distal medial end of my tibia when walking.

Three weeks ago, mid-May, which was almost a full year since the injury, I had the hardware removed. Outpatient surgery, one week in a splint, then suture removal and a walking boot. I don't use the walking boot, I just take extra care to not twist or stress the leg. The walking boot forces me to walk crooked which causes other issues with my back and knees.

The pain I had before the removal is gone, as much as I can tell given the amount of activity I am doing. The area around the incision is still very tender and sore, range of motion is limited due to pain. Still gets fairly swollen by the end of the day. I stretch it regularly.

Overall I think the removal of hardware was a smart choice. I don't think I could go on living with the limitations caused by the pain I was having.

Nov 27, 2007
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Hardware Removal...
by: Bart - SII

Sorry to hear about your freak accident.

I have worked with physicians that offer both opinions. Most of the time, depending on the hardware, it is left in for at least a year to allow for good healing of the bones. While they are "healed" at 7 months, they will continue to remodel and get stronger for up to 12-18 months after injury. Hardware is usually removed either because it is causing problems, i.e. pain or dysfunction, or in your case, possibly infection, or because it runs the risk of not allowing the bones to strengthen because they become dependent upon the hardware.

If your surgeon feels like the hardware is definitely causing the infection, it may be a good case for removal. If the bones are healed, they should continue to remodel and get stronger after removal of the rods and screws. There will be some weakening of the bones when removing the hardware, and a period of time that you will have to be somewhat cautious with your activities.

I would highly recommend talking with your physician and discussing your specific concerns regarding the risks of both removal of the hardware, or leaving it in.

Ultimately, it comes down to which choice you want to make...leave it in and run the risk of continued infections, or take it out with the possibility that your bone strength could be compromised.

Perhaps others with similar experiences will chime in.

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