I have had plates 2 on each side of my ankle one since july 20th of 2000 and the other from june 28th of 2001. My last one just started giving me excruciating pain a week ago. I went to the e.r. and they took xrays and informed me that my body is rejecting the plate. I was told by my dr. that I can have them removed after jan.1st. The pain radiates up my leg and throbs so bad that it feels as though theres alot going on that is why I went to the e.r. just to make sure it wasn't something else!! If I take a vicodin the pain goes away but in the morning when I wake up I can hardly stand on it! It started like a bruise thats what it felt like and then started swelling where the plate is I will update this when I see my orthopedic and let you know how things went!!