Dear River,
Broken bones and fractures in areas that we can't feel are tricky. There
really isn't a hurry especially after the 1st 24 hours. If it isn't causing AD
then there is little any doctor can do that will improve how it heals. Keep
weight off of it and try not to agrevate it. Watch your urinary output.(my
kidneys began shutting down after a more serious fracture to my left
leg)
I like doctors that are brutally honest. Changing doctors usually won't
help. You do need to improve communications with your doctors. Express your
concerns and be sure there is no risk of loosing the leg. In 1992 a series of
x-rays showed that I had repeatedly fractured the bone just below the knee in
the mantal area. Nine separate fractures of different ages were visable and
none were completely healed.
Your body isn't going to heal it very well anyway. Bones grow spurs where
you don't want them and those fractures may not heal right no matter who you
see or when.
To anyone reading this, our bones are often like chalk. They break very
easily and prevention is the only way to address the problem. I have actual
"foot" plates that protect my toes from hooking on corners and twisting my
legs. The "heel"plates on most wheelchairs are not enough.
The important thing for you now is to be sure the bone stays healthy and
don't reinjure it. I know how frustrating it is but ask your doctor for
something for the anxiety, calm down. These heal like bedsores. Ask her what
you can do. I think your doctor was trying to keep you from getting too upset
by being nonchalant about it. Discuss your feelings with her.
I do hope it heals well. I wish you the very best.
These hurdles can help develope a better relationship with your doctor.
Avoid loosing your temper and remember, you are a tough case. Your doctor has
to treat all of you, not just your leg. She obviously feels you doing what can
be done.
I placed electro magnets beside my knee. (home made using rechargable
AA's, 6 volts on each side.) Can't really tell if it helped, but it was my own
way to feel less helpless.
john C-5 complete, post 30 years.
In a message dated 4/15/2006 6:25:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hi
everyone,
I'll try to keep
this short. I recently broke my leg and 4th metatarsal. I didn't know I had
broken them until two or three days after it happened. My foot was black and
blue and my leg was swollen more than usual. I called my Dr. and she fit me
in that day. She saw my leg and sent me to have an x-ray and venous doppler
(blod clot test) that afternoon. I had both tests and was released. I asked
about the x-ray and was informed that since my Dr. hadn't ordered a "wet
read" the results would be sent to her in 3-5 days. I was a bit puzzled -
what if my leg was broken? I was told that the x-ray wouldn't be read that
night. The doppler was negative. I went home and thought maybe the Dr. would
hear the results if it was broken but no one called me that night. The next
day I called the Dr. on call (before the practice opened) and it was my Dr.
I left a msg on her cell about what had happened. It was her day off that
day. She never called me and again I was puzzled but assumed that it was ok
since I heard from no one. But in the back of my mind I knew something had
to be wrong for my leg to so swollen and my foot so bruised. Next day I
called as soon as the practice opened and was put through to my Dr's nurse
who told em I had a spiral fx of the distal tibia and 4th metatarsal. I
about flipped!!!!!
she put the Dr.
on the phone and I was polite but very upset. She was apologetic and tried
to blame the x-ray staff until I told her what they had told me about her
orders. She then admitted she should've ordered a "wet read" but asssumed if
it was broken they would page her anyway. I asked her about the msg I sent
her on her cell and she flat out admitted she "forgot all about
it".
Needless to say
folks I was fuming and upset. Then guess what happened next??? Dr. said she
would schedule me with an orthopod and call me back within the hour. I got a
call back from the nurse and she told me I had an appt in 5 days!!! I
flipped again and the nurse said "it's only a small fx". To which I replied
that I wanted the Dr. to call me back immediately. The Dr. was very quiet on
the phone and said she would find an appt for that day, which she
did.
Folks I had some
stressful nights deciding whether to return to this Dr, or find another one
at another practice, or stay in the practice with another Dr. who I have
seen on several occasions. I decided to make an appt with the Dr. I had seen
on several occasions and request that she become my primary. I just couldn't
return to the Dr. that made not one but THREE mistakes. So I saw the other
Dr. who is "good friends" with the old Dr. She was a bit defensive for her
friend and collegue but agreed to check with the manager to see if she can
be my primary.
Two days later I
received a call from the practice manager who said that I cannot change
Dr's. It's against the practice by-laws. I was pretty upset but polite. Why
was it I who was being punished for something I did not do? I explained that
I'm a paraplegic and have been with the practice over 4 years and it's
really difficult for me to change primary care Dr's for continuity purposes.
That by staying in the practice it made it much easier for me. I like the
office staff I really like the Dr. who screwed up, but perhaps she's too
busy for the complex needs I have. She insisted that they follow practice
guidelines. I begged her to speak to the Dr. who made the mistake before she
makes a decision and that perhaps this time they could bend the
rules?
She said she
would call me on Monday after speaking to my old primary. The Dr. I want to
be my new primary told me that the other Dr. said she would be surprised if
I returned to the practice at all.
After speaking
with the office manager I don't want to go back. Why would any practice do
this sort of thing ? I understand the "no compete clause" but this is a
special circumstance. The old primary's caseload is full-she's not accepting
new patients, her overflow goes to the Dr. I want to take over. I just don't
see the problem.
I need some
input !!!
Thanks,
River
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