The steel plate can be left in the body for a long time without being removed, and there is no effect. The same applies to the ankle, except that compared to other parts of the ankle, there is no rich muscle or soft tissue, only a layer of skin, which can be felt by hand after the fracture heals and swelling subsides, so most doctors recommend removing the plate. In addition, children have to grow and develop, so if the plate is fixed, the plate must be removed. There is also a less common type, if it involves a lower tibiofibular dislocation, where there is a long screw fixing the ankle joint area, and the steel nail must be removed before walking down to the ground. If the elderly person is old, it is basically not recommended to take the plate out, and it will cost a second surgery, so there is no need to take it out.