3 months ago I fell off of a bike and hurt my wrist, I went to A&E they took x-rays but couldn't find anything but then did a bone scan where a fracture showed. I was is a cast for 8 weeks. I have had it off for over 4 weeks now, but my wrist is really painful still. Should I go to my GP? It is just embarassing because it doesn't show on the x-rays.
2007-10-23 07:04:36 · 4 answers · asked by Airelle 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
yep, get a referral to an orthopedic surgeon and ask for an MRI. a CT would be ok, but an MRI is best for joints. There are three compartments which contain synovial fluid in your wrist and although your fracture may have healed, you may have a rupture in one of those compartments. the very best would be to get a pre-MRI injection of contrast into your compartment space then have the MRI.
2007-10-23 16:53:46 · answer #1 · answered by julius d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No need to be embarrassed. Doctors are well aware that not all fractures show up on xray... this is one of the reasons why God invented the bone scan - one of its uses is in detecting fractures that could not be seen on xray. Of the various bones in the body, the scaphoid is most the notorious for hiding fractures from xrays. For this reason, if a scaphoid fracture is suspected and not seen on xray, the patient is often casted anyway and further testing done later if the area is still sore ("further testing" being bone scan or MRI or repeat xrays).
Also, the scaphoid bone is known to have a higher than usual rate of healing improperly - even if the fracture was caught and treated in a timely manner. One of the signs of improper healing is persistent pain - and pain 12 weeks after the fracture certainly counts!
Be shameless in bringing this to the attention of your kindly GP. He'll likely consult with an orthopedist - early attention may be critical in preventing further troubles with the wrist joint such as chronic pain or reduced mobility.
2007-10-24 02:24:57 · answer #2 · answered by Doxycycline 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me you need to go see an orthopedic doctor(Bone/joint doctor). They will most likely take more xrays looking at the scaphoid and then may order a Cat Scan to get more detailed pics to see if there is still a fracture. If those come back good they may order an MRI to see if it is a muscle/tendon problem instead of a bone problem. What ever happens i would be expecting another cast or splint.Sorry! Good Luck!
2007-10-23 21:16:30 · answer #3 · answered by Castiel23 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes - you definitely need to see your doctor again - and possibly to go see an orthopaedic specialist.
I think you need another check over and possibly another x-ray. Some scaphoid bone fractures fail to properly unite and need more intensive treatment
I hope this helps but don't feel embarassed - go see your doctor soon.
2007-10-23 17:12:33 · answer #4 · answered by Gordon C 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋