topic Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle? in Community Chat

Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

Lotus — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 05:47:43 GMT

I broke my left ankle about 8 years ago and have a plate and 7 or 8 screws. I really haven't had any major issues with it until recently.

Over the past 6 months or so, I will get a searing, burning pain on the outside part of the ankle that will radiate up the front of my leg.....it's almost like a labor pain. It peaks and then goes away after about 10 minutes. The first time it happened I was lying in bed and it came out of nowhere....no warning.

It's happened about once or twice a month at any given time.....mostly when I'm sitting or lying down.

Has anyone else had this kind of pain with or without a plate and screws?

I'm wondering if it's the hardware giving me trouble or something else.

And yes I will be calling my ortho for "look see".

TIA

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

dmod nj — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 05:52:37 GMT

Lotus, I'm sorry you are experiencing this pain and discomfort.

I don't have any experience with this, but hubby broke his leg and ankle in the late 90s. He has plates and screws.

He has not had any problems at all.

I do remember being told, if he did experience what you are feeling, to go and get it checked out. I know you're doing that as well.

Wishing you luck with this.

Hopefully, it is an easy fix.

Good luck.

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

rondell — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 05:52:57 GMT

Lotus, you get yourself to the doctor right away! That's an order young lady! This stuff with bones is nothing to mess around with. Please tell me your plan is to see a doctor asap?

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

SydneyH — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 05:54:25 GMT

I do, in fact my ankle has been broken twice in the same area. The hardware has been there for quite some time but on occasion, there's a strange 'throbbing'. My specialist doesn't feel the need for removal, but I suspect if I hounded him enough, he would approve of a surgery....not sure. My wrist also has hardware and lately has been oddly painful, I'm hoping that just goes away and is due to the cold.

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

sylviahomeatlast — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 05:54:33 GMT

I have things in my back--my daughter broke her ankle in college and she has plates and bolts there

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

sylviahomeatlast — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 05:56:21 GMT

I don' t think she has pain--I would definitely get it checked. ---fast

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

Lotus — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 05:57:43 GMT

Thanks everyone.....I'll be calling the doctor in the AM.

My ortho has been out for awhile (he had a knee replacement) and just recently got back to the office.

I'll keep you posted....I was just wondering if anyone else has had any problems post surgery.

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

Qwackertoo — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 05:59:05 GMT

I broke my ankle, bi-mal fracture, in summer of 2010. He said IF it shifted/moved I'd have to have plates and screws. Scared me to death. I spent almost 3 months on the couch, couldn't even get up in our high up bed with the bed steps . . . had wheelchair to move around in kitchen as at least I could put something on my lap vs with crutches can't carry anything. Worst 3 months of my life. But by golly I managed to escape having the screws and plate . . . although to hear my husband and kids tell it . . . they suffered far more than me that 3 months.

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

rondell — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 05:59:49 GMT

On 1/8/2014 Lotus~ said:
Thanks everyone.....I'll be calling the doctor in the AM.

My ortho has been out for awhile (he had a knee replacement) and just recently got back to the office.

I'll keep you posted....I was just wondering if anyone else has had any problems post surgery.

That's a good girl. I'll be praying for you, Lotus. Love ya!

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

zoso — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 06:35:47 GMT

I have a plate and 5 screws in my leg and a plate and two screws in my ankle. I have severe pain when the pressure changes in the weather. And have hurt the past few days. Maybe it's nothing serious and weather related. Btw, I have them for almost 13 years.

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

bells4me — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 06:59:08 GMT

Yes, I broke 3 bones in my ankle in 1990. I have a 5" plate & 6 screws. I have thin ankles & I can feel the cold plate in winter. You can feel the plate & screws through my skin. I also have one 3" screw that is right in the inside anklebone across to the plate. The reason I haven't had them removed is the removal of the plate & a cast for 6 weeks. The surgeon told me the pain is from the barometer dropping (and now arthritis). I take Naproxen & Vicodin when needed.

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

Shorty2U — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:11:48 GMT

Ouch, I would see what the doc says. I have 2 titanium plates and screws in my neck. I have limited mobility to turn my head. I can turn it to the side but no further to look back. Anyway I never had the pain you are talking about but I do get neck and headaches at times that feel like a headache does (not burning that you describe)

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

mistriTsquirrel — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:26:49 GMT

My mother had the plate and screws in her ankle removed because they were causing her such pain. She still has arthritis in that ankle, but not the pains from the hardware.

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

Big Sister — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:59:51 GMT

Yes, I have two plates and 7 or 8 screws in one ankle. I do get some pain lately in the ankle but it is nothing like you are describing. I think it is the metal that may have moved. Your dr. may suggest removing the metal now. Mine is not bad enough to send me to a dr. right now.

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

MaggieToo — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 14:26:06 GMT

I broke my ankle about 7 years ago and have the plates and whatever in there. Although I have not had the pain from the metal, I do have arthritis now in that ankle. It flares up from time to time with pain and swelling and is a real pain. The problem lasts about a week, then goes away., That ankle is about an inch or so larger than my other ankle which makes it really hard to find boots that will fit. Also, cannot wear a heel that is more than an inch and a half.

Good luck at your ortho appt. Hope you get some good answers and some pain relief.

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

cocacolagirl14 — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 14:42:02 GMT

Lotus, one of my friends broke his ankle last year and had a plate and screws put into his ankle. He experienced the same exact issues you're experiencing. He described to me a periodic shooting pain in his ankle. Several months ago, he had the plate and screws removed. Now, he no longer experiences the pain he'd had with the plate in his ankle, just some minor twinges. He told me that his doctor had explained to him some people respond well to the plate, while others don't. My friend also told me that his doctor had informed him he was working the screws out of the plate by walking. Your doctor may advise you to have the plate removed.

I hope things work out for you. Good health.

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

JB — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 17:57:13 GMT

In 1997 I fell on the stairs and dislocated my ankle and broke a bone in the leg. I have screws on each side of my ankle and a plate/screws along the outside of my leg. I have never had pain. I do notice that my foot gets much colder in the winter but that's the only problem I have had.

I was told I could have the hardware removed but I see no reason to do it.

I suggest you contact your doctor if you are having pain. I don't think that is normal.

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

Lotus — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 17:59:38 GMT

On 1/9/2014 cocacolagirl14 said:
Lotus, one of my friends broke his ankle last year and had a plate and screws put into his ankle. He experienced the same exact issues you're experiencing. He described to me a periodic shooting pain in his ankle. Several months ago, he had the plate and screws removed. Now, he no longer experiences the pain he'd had with the plate in his ankle, just some minor twinges. He told me that his doctor had explained to him some people respond well to the plate, while others don't. My friend also told me that his doctor had informed him he was working the screws out of the plate by walking. Your doctor may advise you to have the plate removed.

I hope things work out for you. Good health.

This is very interesting......It all started when I added more walking to my day.

Thanks.

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

bikerbabe — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 18:27:47 GMT

Lotus, my first thought is that the screws may have shifted, even if it's only slightly. Definitely not something to ignore.

Re: Does Anyone Have A Plate and Screws in Ankle?

Lotus — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 18:42:52 GMT

On 1/9/2014 bikerbabe said:
Lotus, my first thought is that the screws may have shifted, even if it's only slightly. Definitely not something to ignore.

Thanks bb.....I'm waiting to hear back from my orhto's office to make an appt. I had to leave a VM.