Hello, I came in to see the consultant today 6 weeks after breaking my 5th metatarsal. I was told on the day of the break that it would take approximately 6 weeks to heal and after this I would be able to begin lightly exercising my foot and regaining strength. I was also told I could, with the aid of a black boot, walk on my foot as long as pain allowed. On arrival today for my 6 week check up, I was told by the doctor that it was "unrealistic" that the bone could have ever healed in 6 weeks and that it would take at minimum 3 months to heal. He also asked me how could I have ever expected anything to change after only one week? To which I replied this is my 6 week check up. He insisted he had seen me the previous week and that it was only a week after my injury before then realizing he was in the wrong - which begs the question, had he even seen my records at all?. I was not shown the x ray, only told that nothing had changed. They did not tell me what to do to try and make it heal other than I did not need to use the boot any longer, I could put weight on it again and that I did not have to use crutches - completely contradictory considering I had just been told it is still completely broken and there has been no progress. I was very upset hearing this, and when I did get upset the doctor walked out without saying anything and the nurse told me he was unable to deal with me whilst being upset and that I had to calm down and sort myself out before he could continue. This makes no sense to me, I am a professional dancer who has now been distraught for 6 weeks and all I know is that it's going to take another 6 weeks at minimum without a clue in the world as to what to do, whether I should walk, not walk, use my boot and crutches or anything else on the matter. I told the doctor I felt confused and he said all the information I had been previously given was false and I should have not been told it. I feel as though there was no personal care whatsoever - I was not expecting them to care on a real personal level at all but some thought for my feelings would have been nice. It was a horrible experience and they left both me and my mum in tears. I don't know where my progress stands, what to do as far as my health is concerned and now I'm even wondering if the doctor knew who I was or was looking at the right records. I am no medical expert, nor am I doubting a doctor at all, however the appearance of the break from 6 weeks ago to now is phenomenal, there is absolutely no swelling or bruising and I can put my weight on without any pain, and I just find it hard to believe this means that there is no progress at all. I am not saying it is healed and I can go back to normal day to day life, however something must have happened for the break to have changed like this. I am going to ask for a second opinion from my private orthopedic surgeon to be sure.
"Distressed dancer"
About: The Great Western Hospital The Great Western Hospital Swindon SN3 6BB
Posted via nhs.uk
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