Would you complain?

[SkatinginCardiff]

If you went to a Minor Injury Unit after an ice skating accident and were told you had a bruised coccyx, then 5 weeks later found out you actually had a broken vertebrae, would you complain? Was told no xray required at MIU as coccyx doesn't normally break.

What would you be hoping for from a complaint? I wouldn't, but then I'm generally quite laid back about genuine mistakes.

Also, what's the difference in treatment for a bruised coccyx and a broken one?

I probably would raise it as lessons learnt for that health care professional so i think you should complain. Mistakes happen and would like to think if they knew they had made that mistake they wouldn't do it again!

@PonyPatter44 I am normally laid back too, which is why I am pondering about complaining. It is not actually the coccyx that is broken, it is the L1 vertebrae. As I understand it, they would have used a brace if found earlier, but 5 weeks on, apparently there was no point any more, even though the doctor said the fracture could still collapse 😰

As for what I would be hoping for, just that other people don't suffer the same mistakes.

@winterchills thank you - that is what I was thinking. I am not after compensation or apologies, just to raise it so it wouldn't happen again.

Yes. Why couldn’t they have checked properly?

Yes I would complain and then some. But I have lumbar spine problems and there isn't a quick fix treatment for them.

I’d complain. I complained about treatment in hospital once and things changed on the ward because of it. It is valuable feedback for them.

Thanks everyone

L1 isn’t anywhere near coccyx so I’d be complaining.
L1,2,3,4,5, Sacrum then your coccyx

The fact that you have a L1 fracture means there was so much force being pushed through your spine it has started in your sacrum then exited via your lumbar vertebrae. That's a big deal. That's a long healing time and potential chronic back pain, weakened vertebrae as you age.

Yes complain. This is medical negligence and any no win no fee lawyer would take this on. The NHS need to be held accountable for this. Put in a PALS and take from there, your hospital will also have a FOI procedure to obtain your records. Take those to a lawyer.

@Whatsinthefridge I think that it was because I did fall on my bottom so the coccyx area was very sore too. This was the day after the fall, so everything around my hips hurt. I understand why they thought it could’ve been the coccyx, but I’m not sure not having a xray was the right decision, if you see what I mean.

@Cranberriesandtea I will have a look at the complaint procedure. Not sure I would go as far as compensation but I would like it for them review their processes so it doesn’t happen to anybody else. I’m not young, early 40s and post menopausal so bones are a worry.