Hardware removal after tibial plateau fracture (tpf)

Posted by rileydog @rileydog, Oct 6, 2017

I am looking for others that have had experience with hardware removal after a tibial plateau fracture. I had my surgery in March of 2016 and am still experiencing discomfort from the hardware (plate and six screws) and am considering having mine removed. Would love to hear of your experience.

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cockatoolady | @cockatoolady | Sep 24, 2024

In reply to @jenniferhunter "@cockatoolady I hope you'll keep me posted on what your doctors decide. I'm sure this must..." + (show)

Absolutely. I now have an appointment to see surgeon Friday. They will assess the wound and if they think it's safe enough they have me booked in today week. I still don't think it will be that improved for surgery but we will see l guess. I'll keep you posted.

cockatoolady | @cockatoolady | Sep 24, 2024

Absolutely. They have now got me booked in to see surgeon on Friday to review wound. If they think it's safe they will remove my large plate and 10 screws on Wednesday week (Oct 2rd) l personally don't think the wound is going to be safe enough tho it is starting to look better with the steroid treatment. I think l need a few more weeks to really let it settle. Just have to wait and see Friday. I'll keep you posted.

lisamann | @lisamann | Mar 9, 2025

In reply to @blaira "Hi, I had a bad tibia plateau fracture and 6 months later I got an infection...." + (show)

Wow I had no idea you could get an infection so many months later.

I am concerned because I have RA and take Enbrel to suppress my immune system. I had a bicondylar tibial plateau fracture about 7 weeks ago. Healing well, according to the surgeon and PT. But I have a deep fear every time I give myself a shot of Enbrel.

I'm at 80 degrees of flexion, it is painful to get to. Comfortable around 60-65. I see this small plate on the outside of my knee sticking out as I bend, and it pops WAY out every time I increase ROM

This is a discouraging injury, to out it mildly.

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Mar 10, 2025

In reply to @cockatoolady "Absolutely. They have now got me booked in to see surgeon on Friday to review wound...." + (show)

@cockatoolady I wanted to check in with you to see how you are doing. Did you have your hardware removed?

susles | @susles | 1 day ago

I had my tibia plateau fracture surgery 3 years ago. I have a plate and 3 screws. I don't have a great deal of pain only some mild pain from the hardware. I am scheduled to have the hardware removed on 9/15/26. The Dr. didn't recommend the removal since I am not experiencing pain. I am 65 and in very good shape. I do pilates 5 days a week.
I want it out because I think 30 years with this hardware will be too long. My mother is 94.
The dr. said I needed 6 weeks off my leg (on crutches) after the removal to be sure the holes heal.
It seems like a long rehab. I feel he was exaggerating because he doesn't want me to remove the hardware.
The doctors seem to discourage the hardware removal from what I have ascertained. It seems they only want to do it when it is absolutely necessary.