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Broken collar bone

12

Okay this is kind of strange, but basically I've broken my collar bone about 3 or 4 times and um the pieces are spread about in my shoulder.
Basically sometimes the pieces hit my neck causing pain, obviously. I can either move the large piece manually (well, I can't,cos I cringe) or lie on my side and wait for it to float.
Umm...
Well anyway today I started getting pain both in my neck, and my ribs, twinges mostly at 10-30 minute intervals, haven't lost use of my arm but my shoulder is not able to straighten out.

However, the ONLY option for my shoulder is to operate.

Basically, what should I do? It's in quite bad pain now, liveable with, I guess.
The options are:
a) Live it out
b) Live it out, doing X (suggest something that might relieve pain, painkillers don't work)
c) Call NHS direct, or go to the hospital (seeing as it is a BREAK, but not a recent one...it's serious. But...I'm not ready for surgery, I have things to do. Also, is it serious enough for an immediate operation?)
d) Keep pestering the hospital (non A&E) to actually give me an appointment with the orthopedics department, bearing in mind every time I phone up they don't have any appointments left (I do have a referral from my GP)

Reply 1

A Stranger in Moscow

OP

12

Pleaaaaaaaaaaase help!

Reply 2

Valbonne92

16

I would suggest you get you someone (your boyfriend :wink:

) to rub some heat rub stuff onto the effected area - it always lesens the pain. Give it a few minutes to sink in and see what happens?

Hmmm, hope you feel better soon!

Reply 3

rlw31

12

A Stranger in Moscow

Okay this is kind of strange, but basically I've broken my collar bone about 3 or 4 times and um the pieces are spread about in my shoulder.
Basically sometimes the pieces hit my neck causing pain, obviously. I can either move the large piece manually (well, I can't,cos I cringe) or lie on my side and wait for it to float.
Umm...
Well anyway today I started getting pain both in my neck, and my ribs, twinges mostly at 10-30 minute intervals, haven't lost use of my arm but my shoulder is not able to straighten out.

However, the ONLY option for my shoulder is to operate.

Basically, what should I do? It's in quite bad pain now, liveable with, I guess.
The options are:
a) Live it out
b) Live it out, doing X (suggest something that might relieve pain, painkillers don't work)
c) Call NHS direct, or go to the hospital (seeing as it is a BREAK, but not a recent one...it's serious. But...I'm not ready for surgery, I have things to do. Also, is it serious enough for an immediate operation?)
d) Keep pestering the hospital (non A&E) to actually give me an appointment with the orthopedics department, bearing in mind every time I phone up they don't have any appointments left (I do have a referral from my GP)

As you say that it's liveable then I suggest that you keep pestering your hospital for an appointment with the orthopedics department, even if they do say you need surgery, as it's not urgent you'l probably end up on a waiting list for an operation.

Reply 4

woofums

13

ouch! do DRs know about this? because if not go to docs as it could cause serious damage if you leave it.

Reply 5

username113355

7

I'd say d. Explain your condition has got worse, doesn't sound like the kind of thing that's going to be much fun to live out, to be honest. I might even be tempted to go to A and E, especially as it's making your neck hurt... can't be too careful with things like that; who knows what long term damage it's doing.

Reply 6

A Stranger in Moscow

OP

12

rlw31

As you say that it's liveable then I suggest that you keep pestering your hospital for an appointment with the orthopedics department, even if they do say you need surgery, as it's not urgent you'l probably end up on a waiting list for an operation.

Well precisely. But it hasn't hurt this bad since I broke it in the first place and it's getting worse.
I've been waiting for just the appointment for 3 months, let alone actually getting a series of them and surgery.

Reply 7

username113355

7

Don't rub anything on it! Surely that's going to be unbridled agony?? At least it would have been for me when I've broken anything.

Reply 8

A Stranger in Moscow

OP

12

the_inept_one

Don't rub anything on it! Surely that's going to be unbridled agony?? At least it would have been for me when I've broken anything.

No, I'm not going to rub anything on it. I've been squeamish about this shoulder since I broke it the last time (14, I'm now 19) and I can't bear anyone touching it, not even me. My doctor is very, very careful.

Reply 9

A Stranger in Moscow

OP

12

Waaah!!!

Reply 10

username113355

7

A Stranger in Moscow

Waaah!!!

Seriously, perhaps you should go to A&E? If it's hurting like last time you broke it who might have knocked it again. Feel better soon!

Reply 11

woofums

13

Is it really really bad pain? Like A and E kind of a problem or could it wait till the morning? but then tomorrow is a sunday so doctors surgery wont be open. but A&E on saturday night can be interesting to say the least not to mention busy.

Reply 12

Nynyflower

18

Go back to your doctor and show him how they're floating around *shudders* and how it's hurting you (exaggerate!) then ask to be fast tracked to the orthopeodics department, that sounds really horrible :frown:

Reply 13

A Stranger in Moscow

OP

12

I don't really want to go to A&E. I'm going to sleep on it.
I feel a bit silly, I'm one of those people who screams in pain then goes on TSR to talk about it.

Reply 14

joyabbott

You need a GP referral to an orthopaedic surgeon. As this is not an acute injury, going to the ED isn't going to help

Reply 15

Rhi :)

Get it seen to as soon as you can :s-smilie:

It might get worse if you leave it.

Reply 16

rlw31

12

A Stranger in Moscow

Well precisely. But it hasn't hurt this bad since I broke it in the first place and it's getting worse.
I've been waiting for just the appointment for 3 months, let alone actually getting a series of them and surgery.

Well if it's hurting that badly then you really should go to A&E.

Reply 17

Selkarn

LOL, I thought I was the only one! I broke my collar bone once, broke it again a month later, now I can seriously move little bits in there. It's totally screwed up. I've had it for a few years though and I'm fine, if that's any consolation.

Check it out, I went to the NHS with a broken collar bone, they sent me home saying I was fine, I played football in school the next day, with my two broken bits of collar-bone wobbling around. I suppose breaking it a second time was a good thing, 'cos it obviously didn't heal properly. Collar bones are a real cow.

Hope you get sorted OP!

Reply 18

Keith Lemon

11

I broke my collar bone a few years ago, and had to have an operation, or it would have never healed properly, giving me problems.

How did you break it? And did the DR suggest surgery when you borke it before?

Reply 19

A Stranger in Moscow

OP

12

Keith Lemon

I broke my collar bone a few years ago, and had to have an operation, or it would have never healed properly, giving me problems.

How did you break it? And did the DR suggest surgery when you borke it before?

I broke it once being born (!) then when I was 7 hurt it again and we found it out and then I broke it skiing lol :P
Because we found it 7 years after I broke it originally, they said surgery is an option, but about 6 months ago I got a referral from my GP as it was hurting so bad.
I've never met anyone else who needed surgery on their collar bone before haha, do you have a bitch of a scar?

Broken collar bone

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