Tib/Fib spiral fracture- hardware removal/ortho referral?

[chellski]

Hello Ladies, I want to thank you all for the wonderful advise you gave me last year when I was choosing new skis. I love, love, love my K2 One Luv's! Unfortunately, I thought I was invincible on my new skiis and there just wasn't enough snow to cushion my fall. I ended up with a pretty bad break.
I had a titanium rod and 4 screws implanted. I had a really horrible experience with Kaiser and ended up needing 2 of the screws removed (in the knee). I don't have anymore pain, but I am wondering whether I should have the rest of the hardware removed? Is it dangerous to ski with a metal rod that runs from the knee to ankle? I understand the recovery for this surgery is like 10 weeks, so I would prefer not to do it. Does anyone know of a good orthopedist in the Bay Area who accepts Health Net? Thank you and happy skiing! (I will be back on my skis on Dec. 14th-16 and hope to see you on the mountain!!)

 

[SnowHot]

bummer :(

Some want to have the hardware taken out. my husband has the same rod you have, but not a spiral break.
He also has a femural rod in the same leg.
He has not had the hardware taken out, and he races dirtbikes, Skis, waterskis, snowmobiles......... you get the picture.
His concern was that the removal of the rod would take too long to heal and the leg's integrity would not be as strong.

The hardware removal depends more on you. How do you and your doc feel about it?

BTW, how are the skis?

 

[altagirl]

I think most people only have hardware like that removed if it's bothering them.

Definitely ask your doc, but I wouldn't worry about it too much if you're not having any problems.

 

[tcarey]

My son had the same hardware and does not want to risk them recking his knee to get the hardware out.He races dirt bikes and snowmobiles.He has had he rod for about 4 years.

T

 

[snowcat]

ouch

I fractured my tibia and had the rod removed with no problem. I am a nurse working at a renowned medical center with leading orthopods and tons of rodding done due to our ski area location. Most athletes here choose removal but of course, every case is individual. Sorry you had such trouble.

 

[chellski]

Thank you, Snowcat!

I really appreciate your reply!! You're only the 2nd person I've heard of that had their tib rod removed. Interesting, because the 1st person I heard of doing this was also in Colorado. Do you mind telling me how much time was there between implant and removal? What was your recovery like? Do you know why some docs choose to remove verus leaving it in? (feel free to send a private message if you prefer)

I've had my rod in since Feb 07 and have no trouble with the actual rod. The screws in the knee were poking into the joint, so they removed those in July 07. The screws in the ankle bother me from time to time (especially because I'm a runner), but the last ortho told me that if they remove the ankle screws they must also take out the rod. I'm not a huge fan of the idea of a third surgery, but I'm curious why this is sometimes recommended. I went skiing a couple of weeks ago and had very little trouble (just a bit of pain in the ankle--those screws are SHARP!!)

 

[snowcat]

Chellski,

My rod was removed after 6 months which is about the minimum amount of time. The removal was much easier than the fracture and insertion. It is a usually a day procedure with either a block (similar to what a birthing mom gets), or anesthesia that puts you out. I chose the latter of the two. I had already been very active prior to the removal by riding my bike all summer so my healing and recovery were great. My fracture was at the end of April Spring skiing so I was able to ski again by the following November. As with many healed bones, my tibia has a nice area of calcification making it stronger than ever. I could feel the hardware in there, not pain but irritating and itching and I did not like the idea of ever fracturing it agin with that big rod next to an artery. That being said people many people do fine for years with a lot more stuff holding them together!