Having metal taken out, yes or no?
Discussion
Ten years ago i was hit by a blindf
kwit driver and ended up with an IM pin all the way down my left tibia, held by two screws across my ankle, permanently misaligning the detached bottom half of my fibula.
Fast forward to now and i'm starting to get ankle problems, specifically pain if i try to compress such as leaning my weight forward onto my toes and this evening my rit ankle ball has actually swollen up, which it's never done before.
My question is this: am i just to expect the odd bit of trouble with age (40 next month) or is there a life span beyond which metal implants like this should be removed?
kwit driver and ended up with an IM pin all the way down my left tibia, held by two screws across my ankle, permanently misaligning the detached bottom half of my fibula. Fast forward to now and i'm starting to get ankle problems, specifically pain if i try to compress such as leaning my weight forward onto my toes and this evening my rit ankle ball has actually swollen up, which it's never done before.
My question is this: am i just to expect the odd bit of trouble with age (40 next month) or is there a life span beyond which metal implants like this should be removed?
One of my sons had the same dilema. He has had a rod fitted after a bad bike crash three years ago, the surgeon recently advised him, after much thought, discussion and x rays to leave it in permanantly, as it would be a very tricky operation to remove the ankle screws without damaging the blood vessels to the foot.
In other words the risk outweighs the possible benefit.
Hopefully. in the long term it will be the correct decision.
Of course every case is different.
Good luck.
In other words the risk outweighs the possible benefit.
Hopefully. in the long term it will be the correct decision.
Of course every case is different.
Good luck.
i've got numerous issues which are starting to manifest themselves as a result of accidents 10-15 years ago.
I was told at the time that the repetitive nature of my injuries (mainly football / downhill mountain bike racing) would result in problems when i was older...and now they've started!
sometimes i think you're best to leave well alone, over time you'll probably get used to it, i doubt it'll get worse.
I was told at the time that the repetitive nature of my injuries (mainly football / downhill mountain bike racing) would result in problems when i was older...and now they've started!
sometimes i think you're best to leave well alone, over time you'll probably get used to it, i doubt it'll get worse.
VinceFox said:
Ten years ago i was hit by a blindfkwit driver and ended up with an IM pin all the way down my left tibia, held by two screws across my ankle, permanently misaligning the detached bottom half of my fibula.
Fast forward to now and i'm starting to get ankle problems, specifically pain if i try to compress such as leaning my weight forward onto my toes and this evening my rit ankle ball has actually swollen up, which it's never done before.
My question is this: am i just to expect the odd bit of trouble with age (40 next month) or is there a life span beyond which metal implants like this should be removed?
The actual metal is likely to be 316L steel or Titanium 6AL4V or Ti6AL4V ELI, alloys made of Titanium, 6% Aluminum and 4% Vanadium. They can be left in forever.kwit driver and ended up with an IM pin all the way down my left tibia, held by two screws across my ankle, permanently misaligning the detached bottom half of my fibula. Fast forward to now and i'm starting to get ankle problems, specifically pain if i try to compress such as leaning my weight forward onto my toes and this evening my rit ankle ball has actually swollen up, which it's never done before.
My question is this: am i just to expect the odd bit of trouble with age (40 next month) or is there a life span beyond which metal implants like this should be removed?
but......Can't do this on interweb.
? what fracture
? what metalwork
? what else was injured
? where are the screws
? what's your alignment like
?
?
Ask to see an orthopaedic surgeon
The_Doc said:
VinceFox said:
Ten years ago i was hit by a blindfkwit driver and ended up with an IM pin all the way down my left tibia, held by two screws across my ankle, permanently misaligning the detached bottom half of my fibula.
Fast forward to now and i'm starting to get ankle problems, specifically pain if i try to compress such as leaning my weight forward onto my toes and this evening my rit ankle ball has actually swollen up, which it's never done before.
My question is this: am i just to expect the odd bit of trouble with age (40 next month) or is there a life span beyond which metal implants like this should be removed?
The actual metal is likely to be 316L steel or Titanium 6AL4V or Ti6AL4V ELI, alloys made of Titanium, 6% Aluminum and 4% Vanadium. They can be left in forever.kwit driver and ended up with an IM pin all the way down my left tibia, held by two screws across my ankle, permanently misaligning the detached bottom half of my fibula. Fast forward to now and i'm starting to get ankle problems, specifically pain if i try to compress such as leaning my weight forward onto my toes and this evening my rit ankle ball has actually swollen up, which it's never done before.
My question is this: am i just to expect the odd bit of trouble with age (40 next month) or is there a life span beyond which metal implants like this should be removed?
but......Can't do this on interweb.
? what fracture
? what metalwork
? what else was injured
? where are the screws
? what's your alignment like
?
?
Ask to see an orthopaedic surgeon
Fracture was left tib and fib about halfway down ,both clean break at 45 degree angle, skin unbroken. Had IM pin inserted through crown of tib, running the length of it down to the ankle and locked in by two transverse screws. One screw stops short of the fibula, the other just touches it.
Lower disconnected half of fibula Is pulled back about 5 degrees due to screw placement. About an inch of fibula and some marrow harvested from left iliac crest to help create paste for bonding tibia in assistance of the pin. The anterior tibial muscle was pretty much severed during surgery, meaning dorsiflexion/pantiflexion of my left foot and curling of my left toe are only at 50% of what they were. I now also subconsciously walk mainly on the outside of my left foor as a result of poor alignment , i guess due to the fibula being disconnected.
Do i win five pounds?
Podie said:
jaedba2604 said:
i've got numerous issues which are starting to manifest themselves as a result of accidents 10-15 years ago.
Likewise. I've had some taken out, and others left in. What I have noticed is that when the weather gets cold I get a dull ache wherever I've got / had metal.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff