Ask your doc for your x-rays?
 

Well I went in and got my wrist looked at.....sorta. Some horrible woman x-rayed it and I sat in my room for 10 minutes while the doc chatted with one of his buddies on the phone about networks(no prob, evryone needs a break). So there I sit when doofus comes in. Hey asks me what happened and I tell him. He grabs my wrist twists it a little and asks me if "that hurts". I respond "no, it's really only an extension thing like when I swing a golf club(this is so painful it nearly puts me down) anyway, horrible woman walks in with the x-rays. He looks at them for I **** you not, 8 seconds and says "nothing here, here's a splint and the obligatory scrip for Ibuprofen. I don't know why I didn't ask more questions or push him, except that he is not my normal guy and I was swamped at work (needed to get back). Now after some thought and another attempt at a slow golf swing (wishful thinking) which literally brought me to a knee, I want someone else to look at these x-rays. Is it kosher for me to ask for them? Do they belong to me? Am I being an ass?

Forgot to add, he said I probably stretched a ligament and should wear the brace when I play softball!!! Hey, nitwit, I just told you there is no way in hell I could swing a club let alone a bat. Yea, I'm a little miffed.

I had a similar problem with an orthopedic surgeon....he did not want to release my xrays. I went in to his office and made a scene until the office person gave them to me. They are in an envelope in my office.

I believe that, legally, they are yours. I could be wrong though.

You paid for the things, they are your's.

See if you can get em on disc and/or copies/originals...which I am pretty sure they have.

Doctor's aren't perfect. He evidently didn't see a fracture, displacement or tear...good news.

86 the softball and golf, take the anti-inflammatories and take it easy.

It's probably my fault really. I mean I just don't go to the doctor, so when I do I expect them to work miracles. Plus I tend not to complain and I would imagine docs see alot of whiners so maybe I should have "complained " more? Maybe that's all it really is, how would I know. But his comment about wearing the brace while I played reinforced to me that he had no idea the kind of pain I'm talking about. Maybe I'm just really pissy cause I will likely miss all my big tournaments this year.

didn't the government just pass a law under the Patriot Act that gives them authority to your medical x-rays?

..or was that library books? i forget.

1) Taking personal calls while a patient is waiting within earshot is rude.

2) Legally, you own your x-rays but the doc is the legal custodian. You may request copies (not originals) at a reasonable cost.

3) He should have outlined a course of treatment with all alternatives discussed. Ie; If it isn't improving in 10 days, we'll do this. If that fails, we'll do this. Etc.

4) Making a correct diagnosis is only a small part of his job. He sounds like a jerk. You should write a calm letter letting him know how he disappointed you.

maybe a sports doctor is who you should see. their goal is to get you going again.

I wish all doctors were like Moses. :(

1) Taking personal calls while a patient is waiting within earshot is rude.

I won't say it didn't bother me, but I understand. It just seemed a little unprofessional as he was right outside my door.

2) Legally, you own your x-rays but the doc is the legal custodian. You may request copies (not originals) at a reasonable cost.

Sounds fair, Is it considered rude to ask? I don't mind giving them a few bucks for them. I have a sports doc I used for both a knee and a foot surgury, and he was fantastic so I would just like to have him look at them. (he is an hour away so it's a little inconvenient)

3) He should have outlined a course of treatment with all alternatives discussed. Ie; If it isn't improving in 10 days, we'll do this. If that fails, we'll do this. Etc.

There was none of this. He kinda acted like I should suck it up or something. I have had over a dozen fractures, and enough soft tissue damage (snapped ACL/ demolished meniscus/ seven fractures in my foot/ severalsoftball sized sprained ankles) to know when it isn't something little and this ain't right.

4) Making a correct diagnosis is only a small part of his job. He sounds like a jerk. You should write a calm letter letting him know how he disappointed you.

His partner is great, that's probably why I didn't make a fuss. Happens he was off that day. But even then I don't know that I wouldn't be better off seeing my sports guy.

I appreciate your responses here, I really do. Do you have even a wild ass guess as to recovery time if it is a slight tear or stretch of the ligament (aren't they really the same?). I realize it might vary alot, but even a range would be useful. It's just that this hasn't gotten ANY better in the five days since it happened, if anything, worse. I mean I've had sprained ankles so bad I passed out and I was off crutches in five days:)

Len,

It concerns me a lot that this isn't improving. Small fractures can be missed on a cursory X-ray read. (Happens ALL the time). Torn ligaments could be a real problem.

When does the doc you like get back? You need a second opinion. Ask some questions. Why isn't it improving? Would you mind giving the X-ray another look for me? What's the plan if this doesn't get better?

The sports doc an hour away may be a good bet.

Answers to questions;

It's never rude to ask for copies of your records. Expect to pay for them. (Not too much.)

About your recovery time. If it's a complete ligament tear it's possible it could never heal properly without surgery. Small bone fractures can take about 2-3 months. Until you get a REAL diagnosis, I wouldn't speculate too much about your recovery.

Thanks Moses, I appreciate your response. I think I'll see my sports doc if it isn't any better by Monday. It's really strange, there is virtually NO pain just sitting there, but grab something just wrong or do something really smart like try a casual swing with a golf club, and say good night chet! It's a sharp pain that persists at full shank for 20 seconds or so then subsides till I do something asinine again:) We'll see, and thanks again!

I used to get flak for asking for a copy of my eyeglasses prescription. Said it was because should I need it on the road in, say Europe, would be easier than trying to fax it, etc.

What Floyd the barber said, when a new hot shot doc came to Mayberry. Floyd advised, "stay well"

i think the sport doc is the answer, when i broke my leg in a motorcycle crash, my doc at UCSF told me i would be in a cast. he didnt recommend rodding the break (tib and fib). in a cast for approx 8 months! i called my old sports doc in el paso, and he said with operation, i would be up and walking within a week or so, depending on my will power. i flew to EP the next day. the few weeks was a beotch, but i got moving again, and my mommy fed me the entire time. haha. good luck with the wrist my friend, i hope it is an easy fix.

cliff