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Fractured Ankle, Small Piece Of Floating Bone, Can Walk Without Pain. Surgery Required To Remove Bone?
Hi , my son 15 fractured his ankle on boxing day. We had plaster for 4 weeks. There is a 8mm piece of floating bone. The doctor decided to leave this piece of bone there, because my son could walk without much pain or discomfort. What do you advise in regards to scar tissue build up and early arthritis? Should this piece of bone be removed? Thanks
Tue, 27 Aug 2013
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement, Dr. Saurabh Gupta's Response
Hello, Thanks for writing to us
It is difficult too comment without seeing the xray film. Arthritic changes depends upon the injury to articular surface of the fractured bone. If it is loose floating piece of bone surgery might be required.
I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query. If you wish you can upload the xray film so that I can help you in better ways.
If the fracture is Extraarticular (fracture of bone outside the joint area), then leaving a piece of small bone will not make any difference with regard to the healing process.
If the fracture is Intraarticular (fracture lying within the joint), then there is a possibility that the loose fragment may cause damage to the cartilage leading to early arthritis.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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Fractured Ankle, Small Piece Of Floating Bone, Can Walk Without Pain. Surgery Required To Remove Bone?
Hello, Thanks for writing to us It is difficult too comment without seeing the xray film. Arthritic changes depends upon the injury to articular surface of the fractured bone. If it is loose floating piece of bone surgery might be required. I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query. If you wish you can upload the xray film so that I can help you in better ways.