Should Screws Put For A Broken Ankle Be Removed?

Posted on Tue, 3 Jun 2014

Question: Hi. My name is XXXX. Thank you for being here for me. I have had 22
Surgeries, seizures, comas, extremely high blood pressure, titanium all
Over my knee, a 4 level fusion in my neck, gallbladder out, botched
Surgeries, 2 heart attacks last year, a very high heart rate 0f 178. Blood
Pressure of 300/200 in the hospital, but I told them no way I will fight
This out. And with Gods help, I did. 1/1/2 hours it was almost normal.
So now where my bone was broken on my ankle, the plate and screws
Are backing out and my Dr said if it breaks the skin, its a straight shot
To the bone marrow and I could lose my foot and leg. I did't pass my
Cardiac clearance because my heart rate was 170 again bp was 168/100.
And there is more to my story you would find incredible. But for the first
Time in my life I am scared. I am the guardeon of my family. I have super
Strong brain and unbreakable will with a strong connection to God I don't
Drink, smoke, take a lot of pain meds. I wake up and thank God for another
Blessed day, exercise, no matter what the pain. If I don't get up around
I will stiffen up those joints then I won't be able to move, They are giving
Me a drug called versed never heard of it. Have you? Thanks for listening.
I have no one else who I can explain this to. I have worked in a hospital
For 10 years and ran a Doctors office for 10 1/2 years. But this bad feeling
Is very new to me. I am racing the clock here. I did pass my stress test.
But with sleep apnea, no one can figure out my body. If you want to know
More I will gladly tell you, your probably thinking does she ever shut up?

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Send the ankle x-ray picture

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting
After going through your suffering I salute to your will power and determination to fight back. Usually we do not remove the implant (plate and screw) until and unless it is causing any complication like infection and so on. I need to see the x –ray of your ankle; you may post it in the follow up query.
As far as your heart rate and blood pressure is concerned I hope these may be brought under control by having treatment under physician/cardiologist guidance prior to surgery for ankle.
The drug(versed) you are taking contains midazolam which belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines, which produce a calming effect on the brain and nerves (central nervous system ).
I hope this information suffices. If you have further query I shall be glad to answer.
Take care and wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr.chugh, Orthopaedic surgeon
Virtual clinic http://bit.ly/drmchugh

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar