I slipped on open stairs in my garage end of January, 2002. Right foot dropped during the fall and was caught between stairs. I fell; foot stayed in the same place. I just found this website, was looking for opinions on removing metal. (I have 8 screws & a plate.) PT says metal continues to affect and that's why I still have swelling. Still have limited flexibility. Just mastered going up stairs normally about a month ago. Frankly, I'm about to give up on ever going down a flight of stairs normally. I just step to the side and invite those behind me to pass! Screws can be uncomfortable if anything is pressing on them (boots, the brace they expect me to wear, the mattress, etc.) Any by the way on braces, if any of you are in that stage; the one the OS handed me was made by BREG. It has firm gray straps that come up from beneath the foot. These straps place pressure on the screws and can be very painful. I tried lots of things to keep pressure off the line of screws on the outside of my ankle, I ended up with those dense cosmetic sponges (oval pads). I fold two and place one on each side of the line of screws, and put a sock over them before putting on the brace. I also have a brace I purchased from a medical supply company that laces up tight, has straps that cross over on top and wrap to the sides, then a stretchy band wraps around the whole thing. It takes longer to put on, is somewhat less supportive, but is more comfortable on the screws. I wear a brace outdoors, shopping, and anytime I think I may be easily distracted. My greatest fear is rolling my ankle!