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Surgical screws in tibia

Posted by wndrwmn75 @wndrwmn75, Aug 4, 2019

I had a total knee reconstruction, not a replacement. My MPFL was replaced with a piece of my hamstring, bone marrow was harvested, holes were drilled in my knee cap, torn cartilage was cut out, the tibia was cut and moved over and secured with 3 screws. Recently there has been a new kind of pain in the tibia. I was wondering if anyone can describe how it feels if the screws are backing out? I am having them removed in a few months but this pain is constant and limiting mobility.

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migizii | @migizii | Aug 30, 2019
In reply to @starkl "I am 68 years old and had a femur fracture right under my right hip about..." + (show)
@starkl

I am 68 years old and had a femur fracture right under my right hip about a year ago and have had a rod put in and pinned at the hip. Something isn't right....I am having a lot of pain if I move or try to do anything. The x-ray had showed the side screw or blade was sticking out about a half an inch and my surgeon said that is what is causing the pain but still does not want to remove the hardware for another 6 months. I also have a leg discrepancy of at least a half an inch which he says is normal so I have to have a lift in my right shoe. No more sandals, dancing, mowing my own yard or running through the sprinkler with my grandkids! Just wondering if anyone else has had the same problem?

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I had a similar surgery as a teenager but it involved my hip, not the femur.....pins, bolts, plate, with the bolt extending out past the socket. This surgery also caused legs to be 1/2” in length necessitating a lift for my left shoe. Being very young, my pain was only bad when lying on my left side. I continued to do all my activities, although people probably thought I looked strange due to the restricted leg movement I had. Fast forward to 6 years ago, and I had a total hip replacement as that wore out. This gave my leg freedom I never felt before. Although movement continues to be restricted, the degree of restriction is much less. However, pain in the recovery process of both procedures was difficult although with hard work and time, the pain gradually subsided. I’m in my sixties now and everything seems more challenging now, so I try to take in the moments that I find pleasure and try to downplay the painful ones when I can. I’m sorry of your current struggle. Perhaps a second opinion couldn’t hurt.

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starkl | @starkl | Aug 31, 2019

Thank you for replying. That must have been so hard being a teenager and dealing with all that! I have spoken with two other people that have had a broken leg and had to have a rod put in and all the stuff that goes with it and neither has pain or a leg discrepancy so I don't know what to think! Have a good Labor Day weekend!

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meggienicole | @meggienicole | Sep 19, 2019

I had the same surgery done on both legs back in 2017 and screws removed 2018. My right leg ended up rejecting the hardware to the point you could actually see the screw heads shape in my skin...along with it was an abnormal painful bump. Dr decided since we were going in to remove those we might as well remove the ones in the left leg as well. Everything has healed wonderfully. However I will state my right tibia has daily pain that has required me to return to physical therapy and wear a daily brace for support but we believe this to be bc my right knee became infected a week after surgery.

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wndrwmn75 | @wndrwmn75 | Oct 19, 2019

I appreciate everyone's comments, advice, and experiences. I will have surgery on the 28th to remove the screws and file 2 bone spurs that have developed on my knee cap. I'll keep you posted. Thanks everyone.

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