Hardware removal after tibial plateau fracture (tpf)

@vm1987 Welcome to Connect. You do have a lot of hardware. I had a bad fracture at the ankle end of the tibia also involving the fibula and I had my hardware removed. I have a lot less pain now, but also I have pain related to scar tissue that adhered to the bones, so I work on that and use some techniques from myofascial release. I had started out with an external cage (fixator) screwed into the front of the tibia and the sides of the heel bone and these are points of scar attachment. When you have hardware removed, it will increase the fracture risk for awhile because of all the holes left, but those will fill in and heal. There is a recovery period, but it will not be as bad as the initial fracture recovery.

Jennifer

March 2001, I fell off a ladder and suffered tibia plateau fracture. My x-ray looked very similar to yours. So painful!!! MANY months of PT to be able to walk again. Summer 2022, hardware removed gave a little relief. Fall 2022, finally, practically pain free after total knee replacement and PT AGAIN! Dr. said most need TKR after TPF, but mine came sooner rather than later. Thank goodness, it made such a difference!!! I take Celebrex for inflammation now. If I don't do PT I notice a little pain creeping back. But it's tolerable, compared to the two years I suffered after the fall. I understand where you're coming from when you say I need my life back. My husband told my surgeon he saved our life. I think he's just happy he doesn't have to wait on me anymore. lol Iva

I have the same situation, not sure if I really need to remove the plates and screws , I am still feel the pain as do you feel

Hello anyone out there who l can talk to regarding a type 2 tibial fracture with a depression. I had a fall in January and had plates and 10 screws to hold it all back together. I was 11 weeks not weight bearing and l am walking around my house unaided but use a walker to go outside . I still have an unhealed surgical wound and one of the screws is threatening to invade my knee. I have to get that screw removed but wound must heal first. My knee also feels like something tight around it and l have constant pain. I am fearful of the screw removal due to going back to square one and not being able to walk again for ages plus another wound is also a worry. Is there anyone been there, done that out there to give me some constructive advice. I am not young so am very nervous about this. I'd appreciate any advice from anyone who has travelled this road. Thanks

I had the same procedure in January. I was allowed to toe touch, but no weight bearing for five weeks. I wore an immobilizer and used a walker. Week 6 I had an x-ray and my bone was nearly healed. I was able to stop using the immobilizer if I felt comfortable and put weight on the leg. I used the walker for an additional three weeks. Currently I walk without assistance in the house but use a cane outside for more than just a trip to the garden. My knee is still stiff. I have rheumatoid arthritis and my knee was stiff to begin with. I still get pain occasionally (not severe) and at night it's hard to find a comfortable position. I was warned it would take a while to heal. I cannot comment on a second surgery. Any surgery is intimidating. While is was in the nursing home after surgery they gave me a protein drink twice a day to promote healing. It must have helped. Hope you are able to heal. For now, do what you can. Has your doctor told you what to expect with a second surgery? Best of luck to you. Hang in there.

@cockatoolady What advice is your surgeon giving you about an unhealed surgical wound and the screw near your knee? Sometimes there can be an infection if something doesn't heal. If that is the case, they may have to do further surgery.

Hi, do you have the names of companies and/or drs. That test for metal sensitivities? I have not done well with my metal from Tibet plateau fracture, nor past collarbone plate. I need to have my hip replaced after I recover from fracture and I want to check sensitivities, intolerance prior to that surgery.

@blaira Welcome to Connect. There is a lab in Chicago that tests for metal sensitivities and immune responses to materials used in surgical implants. Here is the website.
https://www.orthopedicanalysis.com/

Thank you for the information.

Do you know if there is any genetic testing for this? I am having some done for other issues and can add on.

Hi,

I had a bad tibia plateau fracture and 6 months later I got an infection. I had emergency surgery to remove the infection by the skin. They cultured the plate and while not seen, the culture came back positive.

I have 1 plate and 8 screws that need to be removed because of infection.

What is the reality of recovery after hardware removal? My surgeon says I can walk that day. My physical therapist says, I will be 2 weeks partial weight bearing and no driving due to pain.