Should my doctor have ordered x-rays to stay on the safe side and rule out a fracture?
Posted by admin on Jan 25, 2010
I injured my left wrist the a couple days ago ( I was sparring in karate and got kicked in the hand) and went to the doctor today. (I am female by the way). My doctor didn’t do a lot of tests on my wrist and just looked at it for a minute and asked if I could move it. I said I could move it a bit, but it was painful. He just told me to take ibuprofen..but I have been doing that since I hurt myself and that hasn’t helped. I also have been alternating with ice and heat, but that only helps a little bit then the pain returns. The dr didn’t even say to use a splint or ace bandage. However, I had an old wrist brace from another injury so I decided on my own to wear it. But I’m concerned there may be something seriously wrong since it hurts when I move it. (I have medicaid, so he doesn’t get paid a lot..so I’m guessing his health care isn’t as great as some dr’s with regular insurance). I’ve heard fractures aren’t always obvious or painful. So how can I get it checked out?
Fractures usually come with swelling. If your wrist was not swollen the some doctors will not send you for an X-ray. Also it depends on how you were able to move your wrist. He should have watched to see the range of motion in your wrist. This is part of the evaluation.
It is unusual for a fracture to not be obvious or painful but it does happen.
It is a good idea to keep the wrist immobile for the next couple of days. If the pain gets worse or your wrist or hand starts to swell go back and see your doctor or find another doctor. Tell the doctor that it is getting worse and you want to rule out a fracture. If he does not send you for an X-ray ask for one.
I wish you the best.
http://arthritis-symptom.com/fracture/
Paste your code here!
Yes your doctor should have x-rayed it. Even if a doctor just possibly suspects a break they x-ray it usually. That is if you have good insurance. If you are on Medicaid, however, they tend to treat you with as little care as possible because they don’t get paid much by medicaid to treat you. Medicaid in most, if not all, states is provided through health management organization’s (HMO’s) and they do whatever they can to cut costs to the bare minimum. This includes any kind of diagnostic testing at all. Basically, your doctor was saving himself or the facility that would have done the x-ray, a buck by not ordering an x-ray.
If I were you I would go back and demand an x-ray – you have rights as a patient even if you are on Medicaid. If your wrist is broken and not treated properly you could have life-long problems with that wrist – or even end up needing to have it operated on and rebroken in order to set it right. This could be years from now – if it happens.
Aren’t those HMOs smart? They save a buck now, but if you end up needing corrective surgery later because of their lack of care then you cost them a lot more money!
Bottom line – demand your right to quality medical care – even if you have to go to another doctor and kick this one to the curb.
References :
Personal experience from years of being on Medicaid and Medicare and seeing doctors miss or ignore serious medical problems, or having doctors refuse to take me as a new patient because my insurance sucks.
Much to my dismay, thoughts couldn’t have said ti better, down to the medi-caid health insurance. It seems to be a nation-wide issue, and a dangerous one at that (wondering how many people die or are left with permanent medical problems due to such ‘professional’ behaviors and financial segregation!! Your wrist SHOULD still be X-Rayed..and soon…what a miserly money hungry quack!! I’m sorry..I’m in the same position with a spinal injury that has disabled me, and now another one due to degenerate disc disease…My BEST to YOU…and you DO have the right to a second opinion~~~Go for one!!
References :
Fractures usually come with swelling. If your wrist was not swollen the some doctors will not send you for an X-ray. Also it depends on how you were able to move your wrist. He should have watched to see the range of motion in your wrist. This is part of the evaluation.
It is unusual for a fracture to not be obvious or painful but it does happen.
It is a good idea to keep the wrist immobile for the next couple of days. If the pain gets worse or your wrist or hand starts to swell go back and see your doctor or find another doctor. Tell the doctor that it is getting worse and you want to rule out a fracture. If he does not send you for an X-ray ask for one.
I wish you the best.
http://arthritis-symptom.com/fracture/
References :