is the pain i feel dangerous or should i try soaking more

[lockjaw1420]

ok My names Alan and im 24 years old, Now in 2002  i was struck by a van and the guy was doing 50 mph and i was walking! now i had my tibia and fibia in my left leg broken right in half and they had to incert a long thick titanium alloy rod with a seurgical steel plate and 11 screws directly into my bones,  i also shattered my left elbow, cracked my shaulder blade to where i received a hairline fracture in it , but i also ended up with my head busted open on my forhead and you could litterally see my skull!! ya i didnt enjoy that all too much, and now i get to be fortunate enough to walk around  with all this hardware in me , so now that you know why im writing let me ask you this? i move furniture in an American freight warehouse all day long for like 10 hours and we dont have heat in there so its only about 12 degrees in there and  im constantly lifting  furniture well over 100 pounds all day  but ive been doing it seince i was able to walk again. now getting to the point i just recently within the last few days started having an extremely difficult time menuvering at work and home, I have severe pain in the leg that my surgeury was done on and it kind of feels as though its going up the bone but it could be the muscle to i have no idea but this is the worse it has been in 7 years and my ankle locks up on me and i cant hold my own weight on it, and  also while im sleeping my arms hurt so bad that i automatticly wake up and notice my hands are swollen, in pain and numb so whats going on here ?can you help me understand? is the titanium alloy rod,surgical steel plate, or screws dangerous or damaging my leg? could they be cancerous to the bone or marrow? the doctor told me before the opperation that if anything -my leg would be 110 % better for about 7 years but then i may want to concider having it removed because it could quite possibly be cancerous they had only used that type of rod on 12 other people at the time is this true? and what should i do about my leggs,arms, and hands as far as the pain gose?  could it just be repetitave movements in the cold temp?

[sandee1818]

Hi and welcome to the community! I am certain you have gotten great advice here already, I just wanted to add a few suggestions. You need to get new xrays and possibly a MRI too. Are you seeing a pain specialist or are you seeing a general doctor? Some states such as Tuck's have options where they can get help with their pain with their current doctor such as a internal medicine doctor or a general doctor but here in Florida we have to see a pain management doctor and they offer far more options for pain control. I would suggest you see your surgeon and ask if he can help as far as the pain and if not have him refer you to a PM doctor that can help you. You definatly have a very demanding job and it is tough on you in your current condition, is there any way you can get light duty until you can find out whats going on and have it treated? That would be ideal but I know that's not always possible but it is worth looking into. Your doctor may even require you to be on light duty after you see him/her.
I do wish you the best of luck and hope things get better for you. Please let us know how your doing and if there is anything we can do to help you. We are all here for support and we all know what it is like to be in pain so we can certainly relate. I am so sorry you have been through so much! Keep us posted:)

[Tuckamore]

Hello Lockjaw,

Welcome to our Pain Management Community. I am very glad you found us but very sorry you are having so much pain.

Tanglewood has offered some good suggestions.  I have done a quick search on cancer risk with these implants and I am unable to find any significant risk associated with these implants.

What is clear to me is that you are in pain. When was the last time you were seen by your PCP? I would certainly begin there. Explain all your symptoms and concerns to him/her. If you feel that he is not listening to offering you answers that you are comfortable with it is time to move on to another PCP. Remember they work for us. We hire physicians to provide a service and if they do not live up to our expectations that hire a new one.

You may need to be seen by other physicians such as ortho surgeons and/or a PMP (pain management physician) a great rehab physical therapist or other similar specialists. Your hand arm pain a may be due to repetitive motion but it is impossible to assess accurately on a forum. This should also be evaluated.

I was in a very traumatic MVA, my little sports car was hit by a loaded dump truck. I suffered significant injuries. As time passed those injuries (and repairs) have caused me increasing pain and dysfunction. That could be happening in your case. Some physicians said I would "fixed" and "fine." More physicians said that the injuries would be more pronounced as the years passed and I would have complications.  The later was correct. So I encourage you to seek medical treatment asap.

You are in a very physically demanding job. You may have to scale down the demands you put on your battered body. However a good work hardening program through a PT Department may be helpful and allow you to continue with your current position.

Please make an appointment with your PCP for a good diagnostic work-up. And please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to your updates. Take care.

Peace, Tuck

[tanglewood]

Sorry you are having so much pain. I'm not a doctor, but I don't think the metal rods and/or plates will hurt you. Your pain sounds neurological to me. You should discuss this pain with your primary care physician (pcp) and maybe get referred to a specialist - orthopedic or neurologist. I think (and, again I'm not a doctor or professional - just someone with a lot of pain) that your pain is coming from disc issues in your back (spine). You should talk to your pcp and get checked out. Good luck.