Hardware removal after tibial plateau fracture (tpf)

Hi!
I had a Proximal TPF approximately 11 weeks ago. My ortho doc said bones look great at 8 weeks post op and I was thrilled with that news. He also said I could get rid of the boot. I mentioned my 2nd and 3rd toes feel numb and tingly and he said I had some tibial nerve damage that could take up to a year to heal. I had difficulty getting PT going due to transportation support and location and didn’t begin PT until after my appt with him. PT said the same., to get rid of the boot. He didnt really listen when I tried telling him with the boot on I am able bear much more weight but without it, it feels like I am going to injure my foot more. I did massage for 20 years and so I have a great about my body along with anatomy knowledge. PT assigned ex cerise’s and told me he would be gone the next week but would see me the following week, which was 2 weeks away. I have switched to a new PT department with therapists who combine manual therapy, which is what the soft tissues need that were damaged from whatever accident cause the fracture. Anyway, I am getting really lengthy here but I talked to a friend who is a PT for confirmation of using the boot to beat more weight when I need to, such as going up or down stairs and remove it according to my tolerance. I have noticed these last couple of days that the tissue right Over the largest part of larger plate gets super tender and swollen and it burns a sharp piercing pain that only lasts a few mins but I am beginner nag to wonder if this is going to be a constant. I get the tightness feeling and actually reach down to touch to see if I have ace bandage there or compression knee support I bought for the discomfort and find it odd that it feels like one or the other is there and neither will be there. I have been applying massage oil And working on it and that helps, but keep wondering if I am always going to feel these plates & have this swelling and burning pain. Looks like many do. I dread the possibility of going through another surgery, but I also feel that this will be an ongoing issue and have seen all positive results from hardware removal. I am wondering if you decided to do the removal and what your results have been. Thanks for sharing your experience! This post started while back! Also happy to hear about experiences from others!

@rileydog I had a bad tibial plateau fracture following an accident and had a bone graft, plate and many screws put in. I’ve had constant pain since the surgery 3 years ago. I was reluctant to pursue hardware removal bc of some complications after my initial surgery. Finally I just couldn’t take it anymore and decided to move forward with removal after consulting 3 doctors (!). I had some screws (not all and not the plate) taken out a couple of weeks ago and the pain is pretty much gone. GONE! I wish I had done this years ago. Would have saved me a lot of suffering. Go consult with 3 drs if you need to until you feel comfortable with a decision based on your unique set of circumstances. Good luck!

I have a quick question. I am having my 2 plates and 10 screws removed soon. I had a bicondryl tibial plateau fracture....do you happen to know if they use the same large site to take them out or do they use a smaller cut. I forgot to ask my doctor.

I broke my right tibia very badly on June 17, 2020 and my first surgery was having an external fixator installed in my leg from my thigh to my ankle. 11 days later, a different, and MUCH better surgeon, repaired my break using 2 Plates, 12 Screws and Bone Cement plus he also repaired my meniscus. I am now scheduled on March 15th to have my plates and screws removed as my leg is still swollen and I still have a lot of pain. PT isn't helping, if anything, it's making it worse! I'm at my wits end! And although I'm not thrilled about having to be cut open again, he said this will be done on an outpatient basis and I'll be walking out of the hospital this time. I couldn't weight bear for 3 months after my surgeries! He said he would be using the same scars although he may have to go a little longer this time.... they're already at least a foot long.

For those of you that had your plates and screws removed, what was your recovery like? How long until you were back to normal?

He's also mentioned that I will probably need a knee replacement within the next 2 years and said I would have to have them taken out before that anyway. 9 of the screws go right underneath my knee crossing over each other.

I'm so glad I found this thread! Hearing everyone's stories is giving me some hope!

I had a double plateau fracture of left tibia April of 2020. I had my plates and 10 screws removed this past Monday April 19, 2021. Im hoping my pain level will be down, it's been a painfull year. It's only been 4 days, I am walking with my cane, I do have pain don't get me wrong, after all I just had my leg cut open again but it doesn't feel like the pain I had prior to hardware removal so I'm taking this as a good sign. I'll keep you all updated if you are interested.

@bluroze hello and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for joining the discussion and sharing your story about your recent hardware removal. I can't imagine how happy you must be to see and feel signs of a successful surgery. Please do come back and give updates as you recover!

Can I ask if you had hesitations going into the surgery and why you decided on it ultimately?