Thoughts from those with metal screws/rods in their bodies

Firephoenix013

One big thing I keep running into in the past when I have exercised is my ankle. I have a titanium screw in my ankle about six to eight inches long. Sometimes my ankle will KILL ME. It hurts, it swells, it snaps. Sometimes I can get a little jog going other times its like forget about it. Also my surgery was not done well and my screw is bent permanently. They cannot take it out and said if I ever broke it again, I woudl lose my ankle. So that kinda makes me a little gun shy when it hurts. Anyone else have these problems? Thoughts? Ideas?

Bobby_Clerici

I had screws in my leg that have since been removed which is not an option for you.
You need to accept your limitations.
If it were me, I'd pick swimming and calisthenics as the primary base of my fitness program.
Your risks are too high for anything high impact on that ankle..
Good Luck

mikeyboy

I think low impact is the key for you. I don't have any screws, but I do have two titanium plates in my skull. No issues with them except occational arthritus... yep in my head....go figure!!!

gogojodee

I agree with the above mentioned. Seriously.

Swimming alone can help so much, due to the resistance involved. Take care of it. I'm running into the same problems as yourself, sans screw but I'm learning now to take it easy.

Take care!

suiteblooms

I have a plate and several screws / pins in my ankle from a tibia fracture in 2003. I find that the weather has a big impact on what I can do because if the weather / pressure system is changing, my leg hurts bad. I had a great surgeon, and everything went fine, but I am still limited. I have to be careful not to do too much outdoor running, and I can't stand on it for long periods of time. I'm sorry your surgery is all screwed up, and I would definately want to be careful not to rebreak it. Maybe you could get a second opionion on the possiblility of removing the metal. Otherwise, I love the eliptical. I crank up the resistance and I still get a great workout with minimal stress on my ankle. I like the idea of swimming too. Best wishes

zenjenn

You may want to get a 2nd opinion. I had 2 plates and countless screws on a broken leg that had the same impact on me. After 2 years of suffering with it, I had them removed. Yes, there is a danger of refracture. I had to wear a boot again to protect from refracture for a couple months, and then on no-impact activity for a while after that while the holes in the bone re-filled in. It's not easy or fun (though easier than the original surgery) but I am SO glad I had it done. I actually didn't realize *how much* it was bothering me until after I had it out and had healed again. But for me it wasn't just exercise - even walking for prolonged periods (like a day hike or a day at a theme park) had me in pain. I decided I was too young to deal with that for the rest of my life.

Not saying your OS is wrong - maybe he's not, and if that's the case low-impact is key. But, it may be your doctor just does not have the skills necessary for your hardware removal, and getting a referral to a different OS more experienced in hardware removal may be worth it. The standard of care in the US is NOT to remove hardware unless it seriously bothers the patient and some doctors won't do it unless there's an infection or something involved. It's a surgery and there's a risk so I get why doctors are reluctant, but I think even rods can come out. In some patients the hardware DOES get infected or the body develops an allergy and it HAS to be removed, so it seems to me unlikely that it is utterly impossible - just maybe more of an *ordeal*. I would want a doctor who could explain exactly what the risks and recovery involvement were so that I could gauge the risk vs. benefits myself.

mommymac64

I had back surgery 2 years ago and have a metal rod in my lower back. I started walking and gradually worked up to walking 3 miles a day. I thought that since I was doing so well I would try running. Not a good idea. I was in severe pain for several days. My surgeon and my physical therapist both told me not to run but to keep walking. The amount of pressure on your joints when you run is way more than when you walk. So, I am back to walking and swimming. I need to lose at least 50 pounds so I guess it'll take me a little longer. Good luck to you.

knightreader

i have metal plates at the end of both thigh bones. my knee caps have been hollowed out from bottom up and fitted with plastic buttons. my plates were both cemented, then screwed in to my bones. i've had 14 knee surgeries in the past 20 years.

i have severe limitations when exercising, or living. there is NO running, unless, according to my doctor, i am running for my life. i can't kneel b/c i will crack the plates. and jumping isn't good for me either, so no basketball, volleyball, jumping rope. the weather plays a MAJOR role in anything i do. and not just the day it rains, but usually the day after also. so i am constantly looking at the forecast, and making an exercise plan based on the weather. i can't exercise the day before, of, or after rain. you can imagine how helpful that is.

the exercises i can do are walking, biking, elliptical and swimming, altho i don't swim. i have found that with my limited exercise, i have to watch my calories extra b/c i never know when my next exercise session is going to be.

i have also found, that with my numerous surgeries, someone can almost always fix someone else's mistake, or at least try. my advice to you would be to find a new doctor. an ankle specialist. perhaps the scar tissue is building up or creating an obstruction. that is minor surgery and makes a world of difference.

any questions, feel free to ask me. best of luck to you...i know how you feel.

dragomom

I have 6 screws and a metal plate holding my ankle together from a car accident. I have found that the only workouts I am able to do it water aerobics. It is low impact and a great workout.

dentedearmuffs1

Wow this is really freaking me out. I've injured my ankle many times over the year to the point where the talk of surgery has come up. I don't have health insurance at this moment so I've put it off for a bit but now I'm thinking I wanna figure it out ASAP before it gets worse...

Meggles63

Definitely take it easy! I have a titanium rod in my leg, but I'm really lucky in that I've been able to start running. I don't plan on any endurance running, however. Like the others say, PLEASE be careful!

BeSophisticate

I have a pin, a plate, and several screws in one of my ankles. If something hurts it, I don't do it, period. And consider, also, that a problem in one of your ankles can lead to problems with all your leg joints above the ankle on that side. Not something you want to play around with.

Having said that, walking long distances (and I mean absolutely zero jogging/running) hurt when I first started, so I backed it up to the shortest distance I could do comfortably and worked my way up. I made very slow progress. You aren't going to improve as quickly as somebody without that sort of problem, but you can improve.

I stay away from running COMPLETELY. My current favorite is the elliptical trainer. I don't seem to have any trouble with that. (Well, unless my feet fall asleep, but that doesn't have anything to do with the damage and is quite common.) The ankle, I believe, is one of the more easily injured parts of the body and you already have a strike against you. I would say avoid high impact activities all together.

Also, have you considered consulting with a physical therapist or other specialist who might be able to help you work out a plan based upon your special needs?

RhianAlyssa

Eek, take care of that ankle & don't try to jog/run, even if your life depended on it!

I'm due to have surgery on the 19th of September & have my lower spine fused, not sure what to expect but I'm definitely gonna take it easy while it heals, & in future.

Like everyone says, swimming is one of the best things you can do. If you get bored of that, there's always pilates, yoga, boxing, rowing, certain sports, etc that can give you a great workout with minimal impact to your ankle!

BeSophisticate

I also avoid unneven surfaces. Some people say that walking/jogging/running outside is healthier than using a treadmill, as if using a machine isn't 'real' exercise, but the possiblity of injury for somebody with that kind of injury is just extremely high on 'natural' surfaces. (I'll sometimes do pavement, but have still come across large rocks that sent me sprawling...usually when there is an audience.)

BeSophisticate

Wow this is really freaking me out. I've injured my ankle many times over the year to the point where the talk of surgery has come up. I don't have health insurance at this moment so I've put it off for a bit but now I'm thinking I wanna figure it out ASAP before it gets worse...

Yuck. Not a fun place to be. I didn't have insurance with my ankle, with the tib/fib fracture, broken tendon, and serious dislocation, the surgery was considered necessary.

Absolutely talk to your doctor. Ask about the pros and cons of putting the surgery off. Surgery comes with its own set of risks, but an untreated injury can cause serious damage or, at the very least, arthritis down the road. Keep in mind that if your doc (and a 2nd opinion should go without saying) thinks surgery is necessary, sometimes financial assistance is available.

Firephoenix013

The surgeon I went to was the top in the state. Had surgery just a year and a half ago. It was an experiemental surgery that he did as he had just learned it and wanted to try it out on me as I was the perfect canidate due to the way all my breaks happened as I broke three bones, tore everything around the ankle, it was a mess. So I figured what the hey let's do it. I did ask him when he told me that my ankle was done for due to the way the bone and the screw healed around each other and the screw bent, what my limitations would be and he told me none, just don't get hurt.

My plans is that in a few years to go ahead and see if another doctor can fix it. I'm just not thrilled about having surgery again as I don't handle surgeries well.

But I do like swimming and plan to do a lot of that and yes uneven surfaces are my enemy.

astartig

The surgeon I went to was the top in the state. Had surgery just a year and a half ago. It was an experiemental surgery that he did as he had just learned it and wanted to try it out on me as I was the perfect canidate due to the way all my breaks happened as I broke three bones, tore everything around the ankle, it was a mess. So I figured what the hey let's do it. I did ask him when he told me that my ankle was done for due to the way the bone and the screw healed around each other and the screw bent, what my limitations would be and he told me none, just don't get hurt.

My plans is that in a few years to go ahead and see if another doctor can fix it. I'm just not thrilled about having surgery again as I don't handle surgeries well.

But I do like swimming and plan to do a lot of that and yes uneven surfaces are my enemy.

what you have just described sounds like a lawsuit in the making. that does NOT sound like the practices of the best surgeon in the state.

Definitely, and I can't stress this enough, DEFINITELY go get a second opinion

Azurite27

I would suggest to find what you can do in the meantime. I have a chronic condition that limits my mobility. I can't jog or run so I don't. I walk or bike or use the elliptical instead. You certainly don't want to do anything that will make it worse.

humansareourancestors

i just want to take a brief moment to shout a little hate towards all the NEVERS and CANTS types i see in this thread. we can be considerably more than you think, the main thing is attitude.

your disabilities in many (not all) situations are simply your fears grabbing you at a very local nueronic level. micro hesitations that are so convincing they make you think you cant do something. you can.

if you truly are limited by physics then find another way in which you can make an end run, it may be easier to fly or somersault than to walk so start thinking that way and prepare for the nay sayers to join an even louder chorus of haters.



you cant be who you were anymore but you can be better.

truetarot1988

My heart goes out to you. I broke my ankle and shattered my heel last Feb. due to a car accident. I do the treadmill, but not without pain due to the arthritis and such. The days I do more than 15 minutes, I pay for it dearly for hours. I do not have screws, and my bones, I was told by the doc, healed pretty nicely. The pain is forever though. I know you were asking for advice form people with the screws, but just to let you know, I've been doing this about 2 weeks, only had about 6 days or so on the treadmill and it's more painful every time. I wouldn't try anything like that. Swimming seems to be the way to go. Hopefully you have access to a pool. As you and I know, being "down" in the cast, boots and such is just plain sucky. I'd really hate to see you do anymore irreversible damage. Good luck to you! Btw, after becoming immune to any narcotic pain reliever, oddly enough otc ibuprophin actually eases some of the pain after I walk awhile. I hope all works out for you! You deserve it! Best of luck!
P.S. please don't try the treadmill, as I said, mine is supposedly healed "nicely", BUT my pain says otherwise and I really haven't done it too long.

truetarot1988

sorry, I'm still trying to figure out how to do that quote thing on here. but anyway...

truetarot1988

i just want to take a brief moment to shout a little hate towards all the NEVERS and CANTS types i see in this thread. we can be considerably more than you think, the main thing is attitude.

your disabilities in many (not all) situations are simply your fears grabbing you at a very local nueronic level. micro hesitations that are so convincing they make you think you cant do something. you can.

if you truly are limited by physics then find another way in which you can make an end run, it may be easier to fly or somersault than to walk so start thinking that way and prepare for the nay sayers to join an even louder chorus of haters.


you cant be who you were anymore but you can be better.

I think it's a bit obvious that you never had a screw or anything to do with serious injury. And if you did, then you know what the rest of us know, that the pain is severe and no one whose been through that would want to see someone else in that boat re-injure themselves. I think everyone who posted here is just trying to help and share experiences. Isn't that what we're here for?

cafeaulait7

i just want to take a brief moment to shout a little hate towards all the NEVERS and CANTS types i see in this thread. we can be considerably more than you think, the main thing is attitude.

your disabilities in many (not all) situations are simply your fears grabbing you at a very local nueronic level. micro hesitations that are so convincing they make you think you cant do something. you can.

if you truly are limited by physics then find another way in which you can make an end run, it may be easier to fly or somersault than to walk so start thinking that way and prepare for the nay sayers to join an even louder chorus of haters.



you cant be who you were anymore but you can be better.

I think it's a bit obvious that you never had a screw or anything to do with serious injury. And if you did, then you know what the rest of us know, that the pain is severe and no one whose been through that would want to see someone else in that boat re-injure themselves. I think everyone who posted here is just trying to help and share experiences. Isn't that what we're here for?

I agree, truetarot, as a disabled person (no pins or screws --- OW!). I do have some NEVERS and CANTS, and that's just life. It's a lovely thought that I can do anything I work hard for, but it's also complete folly sometimes and I'd rather buck up and know my limitations. I test them all the time, sure, but real strength is in knowing what is smart and what isn't, imho. One of my worst pet peeves is someone telling me I can do something I know I can't or shouldn't. It's not helpful (unless it's my physical therapist telling me, I guess ).

humansareourancestors

I think it's a bit obvious that you never had a screw or anything to do with serious injury. And if you did, then you know what the rest of us know, that the pain is severe and no one whose been through that would want to see someone else in that boat re-injure themselves. I think everyone who posted here is just trying to help and share experiences. Isn't that what we're here for?

nope i have a lovely fresh screw at the top of my femur now. i dont know anything about the rest of you but can be sure that many of you are far worse off than me. not for one moment am i doubting your suffering or making light of it.

my conflict here is that i am saying you CAN do so much more if you dont accept limitations or allow your pain to become your governor.

sure there are physical limits but when you run into them as folly your downside is not effected: you lose nothing you could have had. yet if you havent truly proven the limitations for yourself your downside for not trying is potentially infinite.

cafeaulait7

I think it's a bit obvious that you never had a screw or anything to do with serious injury. And if you did, then you know what the rest of us know, that the pain is severe and no one whose been through that would want to see someone else in that boat re-injure themselves. I think everyone who posted here is just trying to help and share experiences. Isn't that what we're here for?

nope i have a lovely fresh screw at the top of my femur now. i dont know anything about the rest of you but can be sure that many of you are far worse off than me. not for one moment am i doubting your suffering or making light of it.

my conflict here is that i am saying you CAN do so much more if you dont accept limitations or allow your pain to become your governor.

sure there are physical limits but when you run into them as folly your downside is not effected: you lose nothing you could have had. yet if you havent truly proven the limitations for yourself your downside for not trying is potentially infinite.

You do have to test them here and there (gently), I think. So I can definitely agree with that. And creativity is key. Brainstorm and see if there is a way, or try something new. Maybe you can do that instead (like me and bellydance (with no arms)! Woot!).

pds06

I've had 2 spinal (neck) surgeries. I have a plate in the front and rods in the back. It's very hard to exercise. Even walking causes pain.