Posted on Oct 7, 2014, 2:48 am
#1
I saw a doctor about removing the hardware in my legs since I still experience a lot of pain when jogging and I am unable to run. The pain seems to be going down very slowly over time but I would like it completely gone. He gave me three options:
1.) Wait longer to see if the pain will go away completely
2.) Remove the rods and screws
3.) Remove only the screws
He advised against removing the rods as it is a traumatic surgery that involves breaking the top of the tibia and messing with the patella tendon. The rods are inserted correctly and are deep enough inside that it is not likely it would be causing pain. He said it could take up to 3-4 weeks before I could full weight bear and there is no guarantee it would reduce the pain I feel.
He did recommend removal of all the locking screws. He said it would be a minor surgery so I would be able to weight bear the next day and just take it easy for 7-8 weeks for the screw holes to fill in. He said the rod is locked in place inside the bone and it will give support so there is less chance of stress fractures around where the screws will be taken out.
I asked if there were any risks with leaving the rods in for life and the answer was the same as what has been said on the forums before. He said the bone marrow inside the tibia bone for adults is mostly composed of fat and water and having the rod take up that space has no negative effect on the body. I asked about the release of metal ions in to the body and he said it is not a big concern for metal that is inside the long bones, it is more of a problem with metal that is around joints.
I have scheduled surgery for October 16th so I will post again with the outcome. Attached are some x-rays that were taken.
1.) Wait longer to see if the pain will go away completely
2.) Remove the rods and screws
3.) Remove only the screws
He advised against removing the rods as it is a traumatic surgery that involves breaking the top of the tibia and messing with the patella tendon. The rods are inserted correctly and are deep enough inside that it is not likely it would be causing pain. He said it could take up to 3-4 weeks before I could full weight bear and there is no guarantee it would reduce the pain I feel.
He did recommend removal of all the locking screws. He said it would be a minor surgery so I would be able to weight bear the next day and just take it easy for 7-8 weeks for the screw holes to fill in. He said the rod is locked in place inside the bone and it will give support so there is less chance of stress fractures around where the screws will be taken out.
I asked if there were any risks with leaving the rods in for life and the answer was the same as what has been said on the forums before. He said the bone marrow inside the tibia bone for adults is mostly composed of fat and water and having the rod take up that space has no negative effect on the body. I asked about the release of metal ions in to the body and he said it is not a big concern for metal that is inside the long bones, it is more of a problem with metal that is around joints.
I have scheduled surgery for October 16th so I will post again with the outcome. Attached are some x-rays that were taken.
. In my experience, all of my friends and family I have told about my LL think it is cool and have had a conversation with me about it. As far as telling random people or acquaintances about my LL most comment that it is cool but have no interest in talking to me about it unless they themselves are in a medical related field, then they ask a ton of questions!