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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Had Surgical Rejection Of Plates On Ankle 9 Years Ago. Still Have Pain. X-ray Shows Fracture. Solution?

I shattered my ankle 8-9 years ago had 2 surgeries plate rejection still countinue to have throbbing, acheing pain can't be to long on it even while I sleep some times so I went to my new doctor do to insurance she to an x-ray an said its showing a fracture gave me some ibprophen and said that should help it did not so how can I get better treatment for this
Fri, 28 Jun 2013
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Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement 's  Response
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
Basically,one should not have any pain or swelling at the operated site after about 3 months of surgery. In your case, pain in the limb even after 9 years of surgery definetely suggests some problem, possibly an infection.
Generally, once infection sets in after any form of internal fixation of bones either with plates or screws, it will never goes off completely untill the implants (plates/screws) are removed. This is because of the fact that the bacteria will form "biofilms" and gets adhered to the plates into which the antibiotics cannot penetrate.
So I suggest you to get a thorough evaluation done by an orthopedic surgeon and follow his advice accordingly.
Hope this helps
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Had Surgical Rejection Of Plates On Ankle 9 Years Ago. Still Have Pain. X-ray Shows Fracture. Solution?

Hi, thanks for writing to HCM. Basically,one should not have any pain or swelling at the operated site after about 3 months of surgery. In your case, pain in the limb even after 9 years of surgery definetely suggests some problem, possibly an infection. Generally, once infection sets in after any form of internal fixation of bones either with plates or screws, it will never goes off completely untill the implants (plates/screws) are removed. This is because of the fact that the bacteria will form biofilms and gets adhered to the plates into which the antibiotics cannot penetrate. So I suggest you to get a thorough evaluation done by an orthopedic surgeon and follow his advice accordingly. Hope this helps