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Original poster

Stupid question about xrays ...

41 replies

DuvetQueen1 · 04/12/2022 12:41

I injured my hand on Thurs. Lots of swelling and unable to move my thumb

Had a phone appt with Nurse on Fri who sent me for an xray because thumbs can "be tricky".

I went for the xray on Friday. Radiologist told me it would be with my GP in a week. He said he couldn't tell me anything and could only advise keeping my thumb still and protected.

I'm workingon the assumption it's probably fine or he would have told me?

Do radiologists flag broken bones immediately? What do you do when you have to wait a week for the results and no medic has actually seen the injury (except the radiologist)?

OP posts:

Fordian · 08/12/2022 23:33

'It would have been the radiographer who is just the technician'

Please,please,please- enough of 'just the technician'

Honestly, there are so many people who need to get a bit of understanding that- no radigrapher-? hospital closes to admissions. Seriously, genuinely-? - if you have no 'plain film radiographer' let alone a CT radiographer, the hospital will be put on divert. You'll be sent to wait in another hospital's queue.

Radiographers are not 'just technicians'. As you'll discover when they'll likely strike in the next couple of months

dizzydizzydizzy · 08/12/2022 23:36

I had an x/ray and the radiographer spotted a stress fracture. She told me . She also said she waa sensinf an urgent report to my gP
That day.

I also broke my toe. Again the radiographer confirmed it.

Fordian · 08/12/2022 23:38

They could be struck off their register for 'telling you' or 'confirming'. Radiographers are generally not allowed to discuss findings with patients.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health

ChocHotolate · 08/12/2022 23:40

In my place the radiographers will send you down to A&E if they spot a broken bone on a GP requested XR

BoneyEmm · 08/12/2022 23:47

Radiographers have to be careful what they say; looking at an image for a split second on a monitor in front of a patient isn't the same as sitting in front of a high resolution screen in a dark room compiling a legally binding report on an x-ray.

Radiographers will flag up abnormalities every day, and many are trained to masters or PhD level to refer/report/discharge/take biopsies/run clinics. They are golden to the NHS.

Original poster

DuvetQueen1 · 08/12/2022 23:50

I fell over it backwards. Not sure if it means anything but I went really hot and light headed straight after. I could move the thumb then but it's really painful and I'm struggling with movement now.

No medic has actually seen it. I had a med review over the phone the next day and asked whether anything could be done with thumbs. My Dr mentioned there was an xray drop in that afternoon at my local hospital.

The referral doesn't mention fracture on the app - it says 'XR Request pathology Thumb Rt' Not sure if the full thing shows on the app

I went straight to xray and they were great, in and out. Nothing since unfortunately.

It sounds like waiting and seeing how it is on Monday may be the best bet - the results may even be back by then. I just keep knocking it and getting worried I'm making it worse. The pharmacist said they couldn't help.

Thanks for your advice @BoneyEmm

OP posts:

Original poster

DuvetQueen1 · 08/12/2022 23:53

Also, just to be clear, I'm not blaming anyone (except myself for falling stupidly!) The Dr got me referred the same day, the xray dept saw me quickly and got the pics they needed despite the swelling.

I'm just a bit lost with what I should be doing now nd in the meantime. I'd rather it wasn't broken but conscious I shouldn't move it too much if it's broken and probably should be moving it if it's just soft tissue damage.

OP posts:

BoneyEmm · 08/12/2022 23:58

@duvetqueen1 I'm no expert, but if you've fell on it backwards (hyper extended?) Then it could well be ligament/tendon damage.

Usually a blunt force, like trapping or something falling on your thumb would cause a fracture.

If it was particularly pulled out of place then when a ligament tears it can pull a tiny bit of bone with it.

Good luck and go back to the GP if there's no improvement

SinnerBoy · 09/12/2022 00:06

I don't know what to suggest about your diagnosis, but if anything hurts, stop doing it. I've broken three fingers and a thumb and the thumb was the worst.

It took about 18 months before it was entirely normal, I had "Boxer's Thumb," with an obvious break. You really have no idea about how much you use them, until you break one!

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 09/12/2022 00:21

Sorry to say, it can be months before you may know anything regarding your x ray.
I fell onto my hand September 2021, had x Ray same day. Sent home and told to raise it up and rest for 24 hours. Nothing broken I was told.
december 2021 I received a letter from the hospital to say my x rays had been reviews and I had fractured my hand in three places. But nothing to be done about it now.
it’s taken a full year to get full movement back without pain, and if I over use my hand , it can still be painful.

CourtneeLuv · 09/12/2022 00:26

He told me to keep it straight and protect it and they'd try to get the results through ASAP.

I'd assume he's telling me it's broken without telling me it's broken, seeing as they aren't supposed to.

Fifthtimelucky · 09/12/2022 07:49

Definitely chase it up.

I had an X-ray a few months ago and like you was told I would hear within a week or so. When I didn't, I phoned the GP surgery who told me they hadn't had it from the hospital and I should chase it up.

I chased it up with the hospital who told me they had sent it over the day I'd had it, but would send it again. Within a GP I'd had an email from my GP confirming the results (in my case not a fracture but osteoarthritis).

BookedOut · 09/12/2022 07:59

The NHS is under huge pressure and I suspect it’s just got lost in the system. I’d suggest calling PALs at the hospital where it was x-rayed and asking for their advice in what to do next. They should at least give you a number to call, at best they’ll chase it up for you and make sure you get an appointment booked to discuss it.

I’m having to do the same at the moment, made worse by not receiving any letters (including possible hospital appointments) as Royal Mail locally has been on unofficial strike for weeks.

Vimto1 · 09/12/2022 11:08

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Original poster

DuvetQueen1 · 09/12/2022 11:08

Thanks everyone and sorry to hear about people who have had long waits - hope things are improving for you nowI rang the xray Dept today who said its a 4 week wait at the moment for results. They also confirmed noone had looked at it yet but if it was an obviously serious break, the radiographer would have sent me to A&E. They also said hands are notoriously bad to see breaks thoughAt a complete loss. I know its just a thumb and everything is super busy but I have no idea whether I'm helping or hurting it. It's still swollen after over a week and there's still some purple ish bruising.

OP posts:

Fordian · 10/12/2022 23:40

I hope your thumb feels better soon, and you get some results!

As others have said, and you don't need reminding, obviously, the NHS is under enormous stress; I see (routine) CT scans that haven't been reported 8 weeks after they were taken.

In honesty, it is a bit political- the Royal College of Radiologists with their 'closed shop' approach to training- haven't helped, but do email your MP. Government have the power to change things but while people are all blaming each other, not the source of the problem, that being 12 years of Tory, the Tories will continue to destroy the NHS.

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