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Hardware removal after tibial plateau fracture (tpf)

Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: Sep 24 10:01pm | Replies (102)
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@pegleg27

Yes, that was one of the options he presented at my last visit. I have another appointment on Wednesday to further discuss this option which is why I was looking for feedback from people who have already gone through it.
I know every patient is different, but I remember in the hospital initially hearing 18 weeks recuperation and thinking that was excessive. Well, it has now been almost a year and I can’t make it through a full day on two feet due to the pain and discomfort. And sleeping does not provide much relief, and even sometimes makes it worse. I’m really hoping that hardware removal is the answer for me.

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Replies to "Yes, that was one of the options he presented at my last visit. I have another..."
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 21, 2021

Hello,
I will address this response to you and @dappy -
Plates and screws are "foreign matter" in our bodies, and everyone reacts differently. I had 2 tiny screws in my knee after ACL replacement that had to be removed because it was like a toothache every time the barometer changed. My sister-in-law had 5 plates in her foot and ankle after a complex fracture, but the only one that had to be removed was the one she could feel every time she moved.

The removal process, while another surgery, does not send you back to square one in your recovery - it is quite simple, and usually a same day procedure. The main concerns are the incision - which needs to be monitored as any surgical site, and the question of how well the bone has healed, especially in the case of osteoporosis, but that can usually be determined with imaging prior to surgery.

@pegleg27 Is it possible that the injury caused you to change gait or alter the way you walk? This can also contribute to pain in new places - sometimes a good PT eval can pinpoint a cause that doesn't seem to have a medical explanation.

I wish you both luck.

Sue

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