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Doctor reading x-ray incorrectly?

  • 08-08-2006 9:13am
    #1
    eirebhoy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,013 ✭✭✭✭


    I broke my wrist 10 days ago and the doctor pointed out to me where it was broken. It was broken on the thumb side of my right hand. I got a back slab and told to come back today for the full cast.

    I went into the fracture clinic today and when called they asked had I not received a letter from A&E when I was there before. I had but I didn't know I had to bring it. They told me it wasn't a problem. Anyway, the nurse looked at the x-ray and asked if the pain was on the right side of my hand (baby finger side) and I told her it was on the other side.

    The doctor came in and start trying to find the sore part of my hand but for some bloody reason I couldn't feel the slightest bit of pain. He looked at the x-ray and told me there was a chip gone from the right side of the wrist. I just said ok and I got this ****ty little strap on thing that supports the bottom of the wrist.

    I went home, looked at the letter from A&E and it said I had a radius fracture. The radius fracture is over the thumb side of the hand. How does one doctor tell me I have a break on one part of the wrist and another say I have it on the opposite side? Do you think I would have got a full cast if there actually is a radius break? All the pain is over the thumb side and it was only yesterday that I was comfortable moving my hand around (before that it would crack if I turned it too much).

    http://www.wristfracture.co.uk/images/fig3_lg.jpg


Comments

  • #2
    Traumadoc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,523 ✭✭✭Traumadoc


    Without seeing your xray or clinically examining you , it is difficult to say: for example you may be looking at a growth plate rather than a fracture. Using a splint would be normal for minor fractures. Next time you are at the fracture clinic ask the doc to explain what the line is you are seeing.


  • #3
    regedit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 862 ✭✭✭regedit


    Just as a remark, most wrist fractures (especially the scaphoid bone) do not show on immediate wrist Xray but it takes it about 7-10 days to "show". In addition, the wrist fracture is one of the most troublesome fractures to cure due to the size of the bones involves and the fact that the wrist (if viewed as a joint) is probably one of the most mobile/usable parts of the locomotory system.


  • #4
    AnBealBocht
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 231 ✭✭AnBealBocht


    eirebhoy wrote:
    I broke my wrist 10 days ago and the doctor pointed out to me where it was broken. It was broken on the thumb side of my right hand. I got a back slab and told to come back today for the full cast.

    I went into the fracture clinic today and when called they asked had I not received a letter from A&E when I was there before. I had but I didn't know I had to bring it. They told me it wasn't a problem. Anyway, the nurse looked at the x-ray and asked if the pain was on the right side of my hand (baby finger side) and I told her it was on the other side.

    The doctor came in and start trying to find the sore part of my hand but for some bloody reason I couldn't feel the slightest bit of pain. He looked at the x-ray and told me there was a chip gone from the right side of the wrist. I just said ok and I got this ****ty little strap on thing that supports the bottom of the wrist.

    I went home, looked at the letter from A&E and it said I had a radius fracture. The radius fracture is over the thumb side of the hand. How does one doctor tell me I have a break on one part of the wrist and another say I have it on the opposite side? Do you think I would have got a full cast if there actually is a radius break? All the pain is over the thumb side and it was only yesterday that I was comfortable moving my hand around (before that it would crack if I turned it too much).

    http://www.wristfracture.co.uk/images/fig3_lg.jpg

    I believe that there are no contradictions here.
    You, the lay patient, looks at his hand from the back ( dorsum) and refers to the thumb side as the inside ( or, left side to you.) In fact the nurse and doctors view the hand anatomically with palm up, so the tumb is outside ( or, on right side to you.)

    So, you see, both sets of observers are correct, it is just that they view and name body parts differently. Good luck with healing.:rolleyes:


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