Medical advice - please help, panicking

[ThatCurlyGirl]

Sorry to repost as well as on 30 days forum but feeling really worried.

I had an x ray last week as over a year ago I shattered my humerus and had pins and plates but the pain is still almost unbearable.

My results have come through from the x ray last week and I'm totally confused - have asked them to call me asap but wanted to see if any MNetters can help as I feel really anxious.

Here is their message

Thank you for your email- the left shoulder x-ray result is back, it essentially shows your humerus bone is angulated, if the pain is very bad, I would suggest referral back to orthopaedics as per the radiologist.

I've been googling and can't work out what this means! To any medical peeps does it likely mean there's another bone fracture as well as the fractures fixed to the pins and plates?

It was my humerus bone that was "fixed" with pins and plates so surely it can't be angulated and it means there is yet another fracture they either missed or has happened since the original shatter?!

Does it mean I might have to have the original operation corrected or redone?!

I'm so confused and the pain is so bad, any help appreciated loads.

[Sunlov]

Well have they referred you?

[SpaSushi]

Im no expert, Might mean the original fracture has healed out of alignment?

[Greybeardy]

Very simply, angulated means it’s a bit wonky. That statement doesn’t tell you anything about how it relates to the injury you had and doesn’t necessarily mean anything was done wrong/missed originally. As the message suggests, it’s probably best to see the person who requested the X-ray or the orthopods again if you’re still having pain as they’ll actually be able to interpret the results in the context of your original injury & current symptoms which no one on here can.

[ThatCurlyGirl]

Thanks for replies much appreciated x

@Sunlov Wondering if they phrased the referral bit clumsily and meant they'll refer me to orthopaedics as opposed to the radiologist. Either way I've said to themI want referrals to anyone asap!

GP surgery has since called me to say my doctor will ring me today to discuss as it's urgent so hoping she'll be able to explain better. Will ask for some oramorph too as even cocodamol isn't touching it.

First time google has let me down and not been able to explain something at the click of a button!

[ThatCurlyGirl]

Thanks @Greybeardy for answering - hopefully they'll be able to clear it up a bit when they call today. Just the thought of another op has freaked me as I'm a year and a half down the line from the last one and still in so much pain. Fingers crossed (on my good side!) that it won't be as bad as I'm dreading.

[Sunlov]

I think they were saying that you should be referred to orthopedics as per the radiologist's advice.

Whether they've done that or not, I can't tell from your post.

Was the letter addressed to your GP with you cc'd?

[Nat6999]

My late partner broke the other end of his humerus, drunken arm wrestling, he'd beaten everyone else & someone he didn't know well challenged him & his arm literally snappedjust above his elbow, it was flapping around as he was passing out. He refused to have it pinned & plated & was in pot armpit to wrist for about 10 weeks, then a brace on the top half of his arm for 6 weeks. He said the pain was awful, we ended up in A & E twice because he had overdosed on painkillers, they had to give him Oramorph in the end. His consultant told us it is one of the most painful bones to break in the body, on his final x ray it was healed but not totally in line, you could feel where the break had been through his skin. It took a good 6 months before the pain went away & lots of physio & massage to get the muscles working properly as they had torn when he broke it.