I need help with a decision I have to make on the 21st this month

Wow darling when I was let’s see 25. I broke my ankle falling out the window on the second floor. They put two plates and six screws in my ankle. They wanted to take it out, but that was too much for me so I left it in the only thing that I have to worry about is hitting it against something so like gives me excruciating pain or some type of shoes that covers the ankle and presses on screws. I’m 68 now and I’ve lived with and worked out at gyms for over 20 years.
Seems like to me you already went through the pain the cast out of that now they want to re-break it . Unless you’re like a phenomenal athletes play basketball yeah maybe that’s it. That’s an option but otherwise I didn’t do it just Job just saying.

I only had pain during my first day when I got out the E.R. with my splint that's the only time I had major pain wasn't hurting me much but the pain + discomfort made it worse. I'm not planning to do any majorly physically demanding any time

Make a list of questions and speak to your GP and surgeon. Also discuss your weight diet, and an activity program. You are still growing, also consider what you have in mind for the next few years. Might be good to wait but this should be discussed with the Doctors. Less weight on your ankles and upper joints is very important for better future health.

I was struck by a car on a motor scooter when I was 16 and had a compound fracture just above the ankle. I limped around for about ten months and wanted to join the navy, even though I was limping. They agreed because the orthopedist said marching would walk it off and get my leg better. I did and even though I was in the back of the company due to limpin, by the time I left boot camp it was gone and I walked normally. I don't know if that helps. I never had a plate in my leg despite it being a bad fracture breaking through the skin. This is just a story I doubt it will help you much but since the fractures are the same I thought I would mention.

I broke my ankle and fibula in 2007 at age 38, and have 4 pins and a plate. I didn't know it had to be taken out within a year. I wish I had it removed. Long trips make it swell and get achy pretty bad, especially if I am driving and cannot use cruise control that much. (it is my right ankle/leg) Long days at work leave it sore and swollen. I don't know if removing the metal would have made a difference, but I know how it has been over the years with it still in there. I am overweight and know that contributes to it, of course. I wouldn't say that the day to day pain is extreme, but it is always there at some level.

I think the key thing is to look at the positives and negatives of BOTH options. This is the foundation of good decision making. Write up a list of why you would benefit from having the hardware removed and the negatives of having it removed. Same thing for not having it removed. It will help you see it all with clearer eyes, and you can base your decision on more solid stuff. Good luck!

I have only broken my wrist but my vote would be to have your plates and screws removed. I also agree that you might want to adjust your diet. The less weight you have the less chance you have especially when you get in to your 70’s. I recently lost about 25 pounds after my wife passed away. Other than having to spend money to buy all new clothes I feel as good as one could expect at 74.
I am a big believer in exercise and cutting back on sugar as you get older. The cutting back on sugar was really tough so I just don’t keep ice cream in the house and only eat dark chocolate with 70% cocoa. Unfortunately I don’t limit the dark chocolate to one serving but they actually say dark chocolate is good for you. I tried 90% dark chocolate and that was a little much.
At seventeen I say take the plates out and get active. Exercise is a great habit to start at that age and organized sports was great at your age. Some of my fondest memories were of playing high school football.
I believe if everyone would eat better and exercise more hospitals would be looking for patients instead of going to expand.
Hard to believe but the average dinner plate used to be six inches and now it is 12 inches. Americans eat too much and unfortunately most of it isn’t very healthy. I am sure people will disagree with me but Americans do continue getting bigger and obesity is on the rise. I also don’t believe obesity is a disease. That should spark some controversy but having to take a drug to lose weight for the rest of your life seems a little crazy. Especially if you stop taking it and all the weight comes right back on. It is not much different than going on a diet and after you stop the diet you end up weighing more than before the diet.
Good luck to you.

It really boils down to if you can make a lifestyle change and eat healthy. Losing weight just to go back to you current diet will not work.
So it boils down to this -
A: keep the weight and lose the plate. Your future battles from health issues created by long term weight problems will be further complicated by the plate.
B: Change your lifestyle to a lower sugar diet with good choices. This will require using a diet coach or one of the many fine app’s out there because you are not knowledgeable about food choices and the consequences of some of your choices.(hence being overweight) I deeply apologize for being so blunt however I have lost 60 lbs several times and have finally changed my lifestyle. I also fell 150 feet and know chronic pain only too well. With less weight your plate will not be a problem. I suspect that your doctor has all of the above as part of the consideration to remove the plate.
And of course the “ Hell why not” approach I taken in the past. Best of hope for you and the future.

Are you able to speak to a different doctor for a second opinion? You can always let your doctor know that you want to think about it more

I would just double-down on what pjmacallister wrote. You are still growing, so I would ask your surgeon for a recommendation.

I had bunioneictomies when I was in my early 60s and the big toes were fused with metal plates and screws. I'm done growing, physically..... The surgeon told me after a few years I could have them removed. I decided not to and don't notice the metal.

But yeah, you're still growing. I'd just ask the surgeon if leaving the hardware in place poses any risks, or if the current hardware will accommodate your growth.

All the best.

Joe

Good advice. Discuss the options with your GP. Weight is the enemy of your entire skeleton. If your tibia has completely healed the plate has served its purpose and is no longer required. Carrying less weight will help your entire being.