Leg Numbness

[karogr]

I broke my tibia and fibula a little more than a year a ago.  It was a spiral fracture and to fix it a titanium rod was placed in my fibula with pins holding it in place through the ankle and through the knee.  I now have numbness on the inside of my lower leg.  Should I call my doctor or wait for it to go away?  Will it go away.  I am 20 and I think it been numb only for a couple of hours but sometimes though out the previous year I would get these sudden, sever, but very short lasting "pins and needles" feeling in the same place, the inside of my leg kind of along the bone.  It is only in the one part and not the entire leg.  

[JainMD]

Hi,
In either case it is the rod which is of concern and needs to be evaluated. You are right in taking care of yourself and whether there is something there or not that you can leave on to doctors to decide.
I would be appreciative of the doctor if he gets an imaging study for your leg.
Keep me posted.
Bye.

[karogr]

Thank you very much.  The numbness has subsided from last night.  But I though that it was something to do with the rod.  And legs are not supposed to go numb especially when you have the added complication of foreign parts.  My doctor's office is not open on weekends so I have to wait for Monday to call, but I do appreciate the help just in case I was making nothing into something.  Again, thank you very much.  

[JainMD]

Hi,
I think your rod insertion would be compressing on nerve which would be further compromising your blood supply below the knee towards leg.
I think you should definitely call the doctor and let him know about your symptoms.
I think definitely that it would go away, but if it is due to compression of nerve due to rod, then it would take for readjustment of rod for symptoms to get better.
Exactly your symptoms being only in one part of leg suggests that it might definitely be due to rod insertion.
Hope this helps you.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.