Removal of plates and screws in ankle

[Racmactac]

Due to go in next week for removal of plates and screws in ankle. it will done as day surgery but just wondering how long recovery will be?
Is it going to be as painful as having them put in?

[MatildaTheCat]

Many years ago I had quite major surgery to both hips, separately, which left them both with a lot of metalwork. I then went in to have all of the metal taken out in one surgery.

Firstly, of course you have a wound and stitches afterwards so that feels sore and takes a couple of weeks to heal
Secondly, in my case one side was much more sore than the other. When I mentioned this to the doctor the next day he said that bone had partially grown over the pins on that side which had to be chipped away. So I guess that shows it can vary very much.

Good luck, hopefully it will be pretty minor.