"Post op care expectations in the Fracture Clinic"

Following a nasty fracture to my ankle in June, I had to undergo a lengthy surgery to pin and plate it at Wishaw General  Hospital. Part of my post op care was to be seen at the fracture clinic in UHW. 

My first visit to the clinic 2 weeks post op went fine. It is a very busy clinic but no issues. My second visit to the fracture clinic was not as good an experience. I waited 40 mins to be seen to then be told to go to X-ray, to then wait again at the clinic - surely this could be streamlined to go to X-ray first??

I saw a doctor who was very vague regarding my recovery - I had been non-weight bearing for 10 weeks and now had an ortho boot to use with my crutches. When I asked regarding weight bearing the doctor told me to build it up gradually over the next few weeks. I asked about exercises and physio and was told to practice flexing my injured ankle and I didn’t need physio!! I also asked regarding a time line to  returning to driving and work - I was told to see how I felt??!!

I felt I wasn’t being given any timelines to aim towards or helpful advice and I left this appointment very unhappy due to lack of direction regarding recovery from a significant injury. I already felt very anxious and this appointment only elevated that feeling 

My job depends on me being able to be standing/walking around for lengthy periods of time and move quickly if needed. 

I fortunately know members of the ortho trauma team who I contacted regarding my lack of direction from the doctor in the clinic. My contact was extremely surprised I was told no physio and spoke to a different doctor who confirmed I definitely needed physio. An urgent physio referral was done and I was seen within 2 weeks. During this 2 week wait I was still unsure of what my progress should be, so I had to Google my injury recovery and watch YouTube videos of exercises for my specific injury. 

I have seen the physio twice now with another session this week and they have been great, but also extremely surprised I was told I didn’t need physio and said I most definitely need physio with my type of injury. 

They have worked with me with exercises and advice and she printed out exercises for me to do at home in between seeing her. She also discussed a plan and time scale of recovery for me,  so cannot fault that part of my post op care. 

What I am dissatisfied with is the fracture clinic. If it’s obvious someone will need to go for an X-ray for their clinic appointment then send them as soon as they check in rather than waiting 40 minutes to then be told to attend X-ray and subsequently have to wait again to be seen in the clinic. Also it could be helpful to have a physio within the clinic to answer questions and give advice. 

Even a print out of specific exercises for specific injuries may be helpful for the doctors/ nursing staff to give to patients. 

I felt I was just left with no instructions or direction on what to do regarding recovery and only because in my job I know relevant people to contact. What if I was just an ordinary member of the public with limited access to services, the poor, vague advice I was given could have led me to do more harm than good concerning my recovery.