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Have Titanium Plate And Screws Removed. Will The Bones Be Strong? Time To Be Active To Normal Work?
I am having my titanium plate and six screws outer ankle/1 screw on inner ankle removed. It has been 10 months since the fracture/operation. Can you give me information on what to expect both for this procedure and healing process. Will the bone be as strong without metal plate and screws and what is the chances of reinjury to the ankle? Do the holes in the bone weaken the bone in anyway? Have experienced discomfort so this is the reason I will be removing the apparatus. How long before I will be able to be active and return to work?
Thank You,
Gail
Thank You,
Gail
Fri, 3 May 2013
Normally it takes 18 months to 2 years for bone to regain its density and strenght and so removal is undertaken ensuring this on xray.
If the srew loosens, or plate is broken , or if it is interfering in gliding movement of tendons near it, then it has to remove earlier but then some support has to be provided to the leg, either by re-fixation by some implant (if fracture ununited), or external splintage, avoidance of weight bearing directly for 6 weeks ( if fracture united but required density strength of bone is deficient on x ray)
so consult your surgeon ,he will do the needful as per situation and status of bone.
In my opinion you should wait for one year more, but if hurtful anle let your surgeon re-assess the implant and soft tissues around it along with bone density
If the srew loosens, or plate is broken , or if it is interfering in gliding movement of tendons near it, then it has to remove earlier but then some support has to be provided to the leg, either by re-fixation by some implant (if fracture ununited), or external splintage, avoidance of weight bearing directly for 6 weeks ( if fracture united but required density strength of bone is deficient on x ray)
so consult your surgeon ,he will do the needful as per situation and status of bone.
In my opinion you should wait for one year more, but if hurtful anle let your surgeon re-assess the implant and soft tissues around it along with bone density
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