Broken Tibia

About five years ago I broke my right tibia.  It didn't heal properly and after six months a rod was inserted.  After a year I was back to playing tennis, golf, etc. I had it x-rayed about 1 year ago after a spell of aching.  The orthopedist said I could have the rod removed but advised against it. Recently it has started to ache quite a bit.  I did drive about 600 miles with few stops and that night it ached almost as much as the night I originally broke it and before the cast was put on.  I can hardly put weight on it at times.  It also seems to ache more after I have walked on soft or hilly ground.  Usually walking on hard surfaces doesn't cause a lot of pain.  I can play golf, get it the car and reide home and once I get out of the car it starts to hurt.  It usually then clears up in about 15 minutes to 1/2 hour.  The pain is usually centered around the original break area but it can occur just below the knee and down the leg to the ankle. Taking a couple of Ibuprorin usually relieves the pain and everything seems normal.


Looking for answers as to what is causing this and what can be done to get rid of it.  Thanks in advance for your response.

[JainMD]

Hi,
How are you feeling?
I understand that you had tibia fracture, the rod is in place, but now you are experiencing some pain.
Your pain is down from knee towards ankle joint, which suggests that it would be due to some nerve irritation or nerve impingement.
This nerve irritation or nerve impingement could be due to rod insertion or any fracture fragments impinging on nerve.
I would like to get an imaging study like any X-ray to see for any evidence for rod displacement or fracture fragments’.
A MRI study would be helpful to see for soft tissue study.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[Digger357]

Thanks for the response.  When I visit the orthopedist I will mention this and see what he says.

[JainMD]

Hi,
When is your appointment with the orthopedist?
I think you should put your foot down to get imaging study done.
If MRI is inconclusive then you can plan for further NCV study to see if any neuropathy or nerve dysfunction exists.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.