Broken tibia 2 years on
Discussion
Hi, I broke my right Tibia just under 2 of years ago now. Because it was a spiral fracture, it required a IM nail (rod) and locking screws at the top and bottom. I started weight bearing after 4 months and started walking again properly after around 6 months. The fracture has healed well but nearly 2 years on and it still isn't right ( I don't think it ever will be). I still get pain around my knee area where the rod was inserted and spending long periods of time on my feet causes me to start limping. Cold weather makes it worse. I am still unable to take any sort of impact on that leg such as running or jumping without severe pain.
I went back to see my consultant and have been given 2 options.
Option 1 - take the screws out, leaving the rod in for a quick recovery and minimal disruption, and see if things improve.
Option 2 - Screws and rod out but recovery will be much longer.
I have taken option 1 and am due surgery next month.
Anyone else have similar experiences and how did it go ?
I went back to see my consultant and have been given 2 options.
Option 1 - take the screws out, leaving the rod in for a quick recovery and minimal disruption, and see if things improve.
Option 2 - Screws and rod out but recovery will be much longer.
I have taken option 1 and am due surgery next month.
Anyone else have similar experiences and how did it go ?
Two and a half years on for me, broke t&f, still got the im nail and all the fixings. I get an occasional dull ache at the point of the break, but more common is a horizontal ache/pain across the bottom of my knee, where the top screws go across into the rod. This seems to depend on how inactive I am - the less I do, the more it aches when I do finally get going. Low impact stuff helps (eg my rowing machine) but like you I think running and jumping on it are out (no loss, I never liked running anyway). Cold and wet weather adds to the aches.
Your initial recovery time seems slow - a couple of nurses had me walking/weight bearing the day after the operation and I was driving (a bit uncomfortably) three weeks later.
The rod and the screws won't be doing anything at all by now, so having them removed should be low risk. I'd be interested to hear how it goes, hope it improves things!
Your initial recovery time seems slow - a couple of nurses had me walking/weight bearing the day after the operation and I was driving (a bit uncomfortably) three weeks later.
The rod and the screws won't be doing anything at all by now, so having them removed should be low risk. I'd be interested to hear how it goes, hope it improves things!
Whereabouts are you ?
If you're in the SW try and get to see Prof Roger Adkins. He's a magician.
He sorted my wife after patella alta, Screws and plates, subsequent fracture (long story as this was on a boat on the Norfolk Broads) - to a Ilizarov device to fully recovered after 2 years.
It's s
t and I really wish you well, it wasn't me that went through it. Suffice to say adjusting the rods on the Ilizarov device was a bit grim
If you're in the SW try and get to see Prof Roger Adkins. He's a magician.
He sorted my wife after patella alta, Screws and plates, subsequent fracture (long story as this was on a boat on the Norfolk Broads) - to a Ilizarov device to fully recovered after 2 years.
It's s
t and I really wish you well, it wasn't me that went through it. Suffice to say adjusting the rods on the Ilizarov device was a bit grimdoesthiswork said:
Two and a half years on for me, broke t&f, still got the im nail and all the fixings. I get an occasional dull ache at the point of the break, but more common is a horizontal ache/pain across the bottom of my knee, where the top screws go across into the rod. This seems to depend on how inactive I am - the less I do, the more it aches when I do finally get going. Low impact stuff helps (eg my rowing machine) but like you I think running and jumping on it are out (no loss, I never liked running anyway). Cold and wet weather adds to the aches.
Your initial recovery time seems slow - a couple of nurses had me walking/weight bearing the day after the operation and I was driving (a bit uncomfortably) three weeks later.
The rod and the screws won't be doing anything at all by now, so having them removed should be low risk. I'd be interested to hear how it goes, hope it improves things!
Thanks for your reply, yes seems like our symptoms are very similar. I actually got my dates mixed up lol. I broke it in Jan 2020, so over 2 years ago now and soon after we got hit with the pandemic which meant minimal aftercare and contact from the hospital during the peak of Covid. Funny you mention rowing machine as that is exactly what I was planning on getting after having the screws removed. Has the rowing helped with fitness and has it made any difference to the leg? Your initial recovery time seems slow - a couple of nurses had me walking/weight bearing the day after the operation and I was driving (a bit uncomfortably) three weeks later.
The rod and the screws won't be doing anything at all by now, so having them removed should be low risk. I'd be interested to hear how it goes, hope it improves things!
juice said:
Whereabouts are you ?
If you're in the SW try and get to see Prof Roger Adkins. He's a magician.
He sorted my wife after patella alta, Screws and plates, subsequent fracture (long story as this was on a boat on the Norfolk Broads) - to a Ilizarov device to fully recovered after 2 years.
It's st and I really wish you well, it wasn't me that went through it. Suffice to say adjusting the rods on the Ilizarov device was a bit grim
Hi, I'm up in West Yorkshire so a bit out of the way from SW. I had no idea what a Ilizarov device was until you mentioned it. Damn that looks scarier than what I got now ! If you're in the SW try and get to see Prof Roger Adkins. He's a magician.
He sorted my wife after patella alta, Screws and plates, subsequent fracture (long story as this was on a boat on the Norfolk Broads) - to a Ilizarov device to fully recovered after 2 years.
It's s
t and I really wish you well, it wasn't me that went through it. Suffice to say adjusting the rods on the Ilizarov device was a bit grim
7 years for me. I had to get the pins out as the ankle ones were coming through the skin and the knee ones were catching on my ligaments when bending my knee.
I still have twinges of pain now and again and my calf muscle feels like it’s coming off the bone now and again. I also get pain like shin splints up the front of my leg.
I still have twinges of pain now and again and my calf muscle feels like it’s coming off the bone now and again. I also get pain like shin splints up the front of my leg.
inline6 said:
Thanks for your reply, yes seems like our symptoms are very similar. I actually got my dates mixed up lol. I broke it in Jan 2020, so over 2 years ago now and soon after we got hit with the pandemic which meant minimal aftercare and contact from the hospital during the peak of Covid. Funny you mention rowing machine as that is exactly what I was planning on getting after having the screws removed. Has the rowing helped with fitness and has it made any difference to the leg?
I got the rowing machine about 6 months after I broke my leg - I figured a combination of weaker muscles from inactivity carrying extra weight (from inactivity!) wasn't a good one. I use it at least three times a week, it's good for all round fitness with loads of information online (including this forum). I'd recommend a Concept 2, anything from a couple of hundred quid for a perfectly serviceable Model B to over a grand for the latest Model E. I don't get any discomfort in my leg from using the rower, whereas I do get aches just from walking if I've missed a few sessions on it. inline6 said:
@shambolic
Did you notice much difference after having the pins removed? I too can feel the screw heads beneath the skin on my ankle. The bigger problem is one at the top, below the knee which also protrudes out a little and causes the most pain.
Yes less pain and more able to move ankle and knee. Did you notice much difference after having the pins removed? I too can feel the screw heads beneath the skin on my ankle. The bigger problem is one at the top, below the knee which also protrudes out a little and causes the most pain.
My mum has had a metal rod in her leg since her 20's when she was in a very bad car accident. She is now 68 and it's still in there now. She has declined every offer to have it removed as she is afraid of further surgery. Her leg gives her a bit of jip now and then, especially in the colder months, and she can't do things like crawl around on the floor and play with the grand children but other than that you wouldn't know she had it.
Sometimes these things are best left alone but I hope your surgery improves things for you, if you are relatively young it should improve. For my Mum there is no point her having it out now at her age.
Sometimes these things are best left alone but I hope your surgery improves things for you, if you are relatively young it should improve. For my Mum there is no point her having it out now at her age.
T&F for me in Jan 2019, fell on the bloody stairs !! I had screws & plates to repair mine. The cast came off at 6 weeks to be replaced with the Velcro boot. I was weight bearing at this point, taking myself off around the village for walks (with an obligatory pub stop as a reward). I also started back on the turbo trainer/Zwift as I’m a fairly keen cyclist.
I consider myself very lucky with regards to my recovery. I had a limp that lasted until mid summer (5 months on) & had a bought of plantar fasciitis that came & went over the same period. Since then I’ve not had any bother. No aches, stiffness or niggles. Very lucky. I’m sure arthritis will occur in the ankle joint at some time though.
I consider myself very lucky with regards to my recovery. I had a limp that lasted until mid summer (5 months on) & had a bought of plantar fasciitis that came & went over the same period. Since then I’ve not had any bother. No aches, stiffness or niggles. Very lucky. I’m sure arthritis will occur in the ankle joint at some time though.
I had a nail and screws for a fib fib fractures. Hit by a car.
After the initial healing. I had discomfort, ironically while rowing. When up the slide on the recovery I felt like the nail was catching under my knee cap. Plus other aches etc. The surgeon was at pains to say that wasn’t possible and was reluctant to remove it. After some further discussions he said he wouldn’t until at least 2 years had passed from initial repair. I was also concerned about a repeat fracture with the nail in place. I cycle and spend time in the mountains so the chance of a repeat break with the increased risks from the metalwork was a further reason for it to be out for me.
I went back and after further talks …I was told.. . It might break again during removal, the screws might not come out and various other risks he said he would have a go..
Anyway, it got removed, I believe they use something like a slide hammer a bit like removing an axle half shaft 😀. Another zip on the front of my knee 😬
I left on crutches for two weeks as I recall, so the screw holes could fill in and a little remodelling of the tibia so it could cope if I fell over or similar.
Best thing I could have done despite the risks. I still get odd feelings at the break site but the other stuff went. Also easier at airports…
Chris
After the initial healing. I had discomfort, ironically while rowing. When up the slide on the recovery I felt like the nail was catching under my knee cap. Plus other aches etc. The surgeon was at pains to say that wasn’t possible and was reluctant to remove it. After some further discussions he said he wouldn’t until at least 2 years had passed from initial repair. I was also concerned about a repeat fracture with the nail in place. I cycle and spend time in the mountains so the chance of a repeat break with the increased risks from the metalwork was a further reason for it to be out for me.
I went back and after further talks …I was told.. . It might break again during removal, the screws might not come out and various other risks he said he would have a go..
Anyway, it got removed, I believe they use something like a slide hammer a bit like removing an axle half shaft 😀. Another zip on the front of my knee 😬
I left on crutches for two weeks as I recall, so the screw holes could fill in and a little remodelling of the tibia so it could cope if I fell over or similar.
Best thing I could have done despite the risks. I still get odd feelings at the break site but the other stuff went. Also easier at airports…
Chris
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff