tibia/fibula rod removal

[exfulgere]

i had a spiral fracture to my fibula about ten months ago.  i had an internal fix with plates, screws with a rod extending from fibula to tibia.  this was less about the fracture itself, and more to do with the resulting gap between tibia and talus.  i've had some pains in my tibia, and speculated it was near where the rod was placed (i've no pain in my fibula).  i started back at the gym and including some strength training and aerobics (usually ellipticala) and have had little problem.  however, the other day i was squatting down and resting on the balls of my feet, which used to be a typical posture for me, in order to scrub out some cabinets.  the next day, after working out, i was experiencing the same, occasional pain in my fibula.  not thinking much of it, i ran errands, went on a long walk, washed to dogs, and then when i went to walk my dogs, the pain is pretty much unbearable.  there is no heat, no discoloration, no swelling, no bruising of any kind and it is centered on my outer fibula about two inches above my ankle, about where the rod is.  i've done nothing severe and had no falls, and i'm 99% sure that there is no fresh injury.  so, of course, i looked on line and have found that many people say they've experienced something very similar where rods, and even plates are concerned.  some people have speculated that, if there is a shift, nerves may be irritated, etc.  i didn't think i would be looking at getting the rod removed, as the discomfort from time to time was mostly tolerable.  but this is ridiculous.  it's excruciatingly painful to walk and forget exercise.  i have to keep the exercise up as i have fibromyalgia and i find that if i'm not exercising, the breadth and depth of symptoms worsen.

so, all this set up to ask the following:  generally, it seems that getting just the rod removed does not require a hospital stay.  is this accurate, or does the removal require hospitalization?  is the removal process as invasive as the internal fixation (i assume not, but assuming is dangerous)?  is there an estimate for recovery time?  has anyone heard of or experienced this type of thing before?

any feedback/direction is very appreciated!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems.  Pain on the inner side of the ankle at the attachment of tibialis posterior muscle can cause pain when the tendon of this muscle is inflamed. Impingement of the ankle joint between the bones of ankle and foot is another possibility. Dislocation of peroneal muscle tendon can also cause shooting pain. Stress fractures of medial malleolus and tarsal tunnel syndrome are the other possibilities.
All the above causes are usually managed conservatively with anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, and use of proper foot wear and orthoses. Please consult your ortho specialist regarding this. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.

[exfulgere]

sorry, the bottom part of the first paragraph, i get confusing.  running on about two hours of sleep.  for clarification, the pain is only in my tibia.  i said fibula once or twice, but it is absolutely my tibia.