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Metal Plate In Leg And Screws, Broke Ankle, Swelling And Pain. What Is The Cause?
I have a metal plate in my leg and screws because I broke my ankle late last year. I have been off crutches and released from the doctor for about 3 months now and I haven t had any problems in that time. Lately (in the last couple days) the area where my metal plate is had been hurting and it starting to swell . It hurts to walk on and touch but it isn t unbearable. What is causing this and will it go away?
Tue, 17 Sep 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
This is just to let you know that there will not be enough subcutaneous fat or muscle at the level of the ankle joint where the implants (plates & screws) are placed. So they will be lying just beneath the skin.
The constant movements occuring in the ankle joint produces movements of the soft tissues over the screw heads resulting in aseptic inflammation and swelling.
An Xray of the operated site is necessary to know the status of the implants and the joint architecture.
I suggest you to consult your treating doctor and discuss the issues.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
This is just to let you know that there will not be enough subcutaneous fat or muscle at the level of the ankle joint where the implants (plates & screws) are placed. So they will be lying just beneath the skin.
The constant movements occuring in the ankle joint produces movements of the soft tissues over the screw heads resulting in aseptic inflammation and swelling.
An Xray of the operated site is necessary to know the status of the implants and the joint architecture.
I suggest you to consult your treating doctor and discuss the issues.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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