hardware-related pain in ankle

by Stephanie
(Sun Prairie, WI, U.S.A.)

On Jan 19 2010, I broke and dislocated my right ankle. After my doctor reset my ankle and then performed O.R.I.F. later that evening which resulted in two long screws in my tibia and a plate with 7 screws in my fibula. It has been 5 months since my surgery, but I have been having sever pain in my ankle for several weeks. The pain is only where the hardware is located, I can literally press on the heads of the screws to alleviate some pain for like 30 seconds but it comes right back. So far nothing has helped relieve the pain, for instance: NSAIDs, using an ankle brace (3 different styles), arthritis creams (aspercream, bengay, mayoflex, biofreeze, icy hot), arnica gel, and the R.I.C.E. method. All my doctors have told me is that the pain is normal and that if it is truly bothering me that I can have the hardware removed late Oct of this year. Any suggestions to relieve the pain or exercises that might help would be appreciated.

Hi Stephanie,
Unfortunately the end result will probably be having the hardware removed later on down the road once your surgeon is satisfied that the fractures have all adequately healed.
In these situations you have to experiment around until you find something that will make you more comfortable.
The only other thing that I can think of that might help would be to wear a walking cast which would help take the strain off the hardware and the healing fracture.
Obviously, there is a good chance this too may not help, but it may be worth a try.
Marc Mitnick DPM