I recently fell off a ladder and broke my ankle.?

Question

I attended the hospital 2 days later as the swelling got really bad.

I was given the standard x-rays and a doctor confirmed that my ankle was broken but in place.

To my surprise, all that was put on was a tubular stretch bandage. I was given crutches and told to return in 10 days and to stay of the foot and keep it elevated.

I recently had a wire fitted to my hand which when removed left a large lump which I put down to calcium scarring. I still can't clench my fist very well and my hand aches all of the time and told the doctors at the hospital this. I was told at the hospital that this is all they can do as any more treatment would be too costly.

The reason I mention this is because I am rather concerned that I am not receiving the correct treatment and that they have gone for the cheap option yet again.

Any advice would be welcome and any previous experiences too.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The UK is definitely NOT the worst for care, u don't have to take out health insurance, the hospitals are free and accessible, the doctors and in fact all staff are highly skilled and very well trained with all sorts of checks in place to ensure that the best standard of care is given, if u have an issue with your treatment, go to the appropriate health board and voice your concerns. otherwise go to another country and see that the nurse, doctor, porter, cleaner and cook are all the same person who don't have any fancy equipment and don't even have the luxury of x-rays to find that ur ankle is broken in the 1st place!

I do know what I'm talking about because I work in the NHS here and have worked in hospitals abroad, I did answer your question - if you are concerned about your treatment, take your concerns to someone who might be able to do something about it, try reading the complaints procedure by citizens advice  http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/fami...

your complaints/suggestions can be used for audit purposes on patient satisfaction in the long term and may even change your treatment in the short term

Answer 2

If the fractured bone is in the right place, and you have a lot of swelling, that is why that they did not place a cast on your leg. The cast would have been very dangerous with your leg still swelling, people have had circulation cut off and lost their limbs before from a cast with too much swelling. Also, if the bone is in the right place and they can keep your weight off of it, there is no need for surgery. The elastic wrap should provide some stablization and keep you from moving the leg/ankle. Also if it were to be too tight, it can easily be loosened. Signs of the wrap possibly being too tight are pale toes, cool toes, numbness or tingling to the toes or feet. If you experience these sensations you should call your doctor. Elevating your leg will reduce your swelling. Perhaps they have you using ice therapy?  If you are unsure though and still feel that the doctors are not providing good enough care, go to another doctor for a

second opinion.

Answer 3

i can answer the thing about the cast, generally they wait until the swelling goes down to put on a cast, if they do give you a cast (since you skipped the plaster, be lucky) you'll end up with either a boot, or a fiberglass cast, or maybe no cast at all since everything is in place.