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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think my DH is crazy for thinking about cutting his own plastercast off his broken ankle?

62 replies

ilikeyoursleeves · 31/01/2011 20:35

My DH fell on New Years Day (while out jogging) and broke his ankle. We spent the day in A&E and he got a plastercast which he said he has to have on for about 6 weeks. To help you understand, my DH hates hospitals like anything, I'm not sure why but he just cannot stand hospitals and doctors or anything medical. He has a tendency to faint when he is getting anything medical done (eg when blood is taken and he even fainted getting his eyes tested once!) so I think his fear of hospitals is more a fear of fainting and looking silly. I have tried to help him with this, shown him techniques to prevent the fainting, tried to reassure him etc but he still hates hospitals.

So he has now had his plaster on for 4 weeks and when I asked the other day when his appointment is to remove the plastercast he said '29th Feb' with a smirk, then said he will be going to the local hardware shop for a saw or something so he can take it off himself!!! He is not joking either. He is adamant that he does not want to go back to the hospital so I said if he tries to remove it himself and severs an artery then tough! We are meant to be going on our first family holiday in 2 years at the end of Feb and I'm just worried he will do something and we either won't be able to go or he will do lasting damage to his leg cos he hasn't let a dr look at it again.

Argh he is so bloody stubborn!

AIBU in thinking he is a total idiot?! Any advice?

OP posts:

bubblewrapped · 31/01/2011 20:38

Well.. for a start, he is likely to end up back in the hospital anyway, for stitches to the cut he will most likely do to his ankle.. or to have it reset if it hasnt healed properly when he walk on it without physio.

Tell him he is being a tit, and needs to do as he is told.

Alambil · 31/01/2011 20:38

he is a bloody idiot.

I have nothing more to say

AgentZigzag · 31/01/2011 20:38

Yup, totally crazy!

Is it possible that your local GP would be able to do it?

Gleekfreak · 31/01/2011 20:39

He is a bit daft to say the least! They will prob X-ray his ankle first to check the fracture has healed-and the saw they use to remove the plaster doesn't rotate-it vibrates so is unable to cut through the skin. Please continue to reassure him to get it sorted properly!

GeraldineAubergine · 31/01/2011 20:40

It will take seconds to remove it in the fracture clinic, he might really hurt himself trying to d it himself, hope he changes his mind!

MadameOvary · 31/01/2011 20:41

McDreamy · 31/01/2011 20:42

He's a loon!

GloriaSmut · 31/01/2011 20:43

Yes, he is an idiot. And I speak as someone who has broken all the bones in their left ankle and can speak from experience!

If he cuts his own plaster cast off he will have no way of knowing whether his ankle is ready to be released from a cast. Because an important part of his follow-up appointment is an X-Ray to check that the bones have healed up. If he hobbles about on un-mended bones then he could be disabled for a lifetime.

Also, you are surprisingly weak and immobile when first released from a plaster cast and prone to falling over and damaging your ankle again. All of these things can be avoided by following the advice he'd get from the fracture clinic.

I don't want to depress you, btw, but I wouldn't expect his foot to be very wonderful on holiday either. Even if he does manage to follow medical advice. Only the recovery period from a broken ankle can be lengthy.

AgentZigzag · 31/01/2011 20:44

I'm trying to understand his phobia, I don't like spiders, and if someone told me I had to sit in a bath full of spiders I'd tell them to go fuck themselves.

If it really is that bad (and it sounds like it is) you need to be telling the hospital to see if they can come up with a solution.

If you say he's going to do it himself (grass him up ) they might be more obliging?

kittybuttoon · 31/01/2011 20:45

Blimey! Tell your GP what DH is planning, and why. If your husband won't come to the GP surgery with you, go alone and explain.

The GP can't discuss your husband's condition with you, but he can give you useful pointers about handling DH's phobia to make sure he gets the medical care he needs.

The GP should be able to arrange for some sedatives which might take the heat off a hospital visit.

Original poster

ilikeyoursleeves · 31/01/2011 20:45

I know, he is a total idiot! I am just sincerely hoping he will go to the hospital, I can't see what advantages there possibly are to hacking off your own plaster with the risk of stabbing yourself in the process. I told him if he does anything stupid which makes it worse then I am going on holiday with the kids and he can stay at home and wallow in self pity and stab wounds from his saw.

OP posts:

ilovemyhens · 31/01/2011 20:46

If he's really panicky then tell him to go to his GP and ask for some propranolol or some diazepam just to get him through the appointment.

Propranolol acts by blocking the action of adrenaline on the heart and makes you feel calmer and less jumpy and diazepam relaxes you.

AgentZigzag · 31/01/2011 20:46

Yes! Sedatives!

Secrete them in a curry just before he has to go

AgentZigzag · 31/01/2011 20:47

Beta blockers can help as well.

McDreamy · 31/01/2011 20:48

Would it help to tell him how they remove it? They don't use a saw!! If it's a split cast they will just use scissors, big blunt ended plaster scissors or if it's fibre glass cast they will use an electric device - looks a bit like a pizza cutter but it won't cut skin. I used to love removing plasters, nearly as much fun as putting them on!

He will need a check x-ray. My brother has a phobia of hospitals, I know how real it can be.

Original poster

ilikeyoursleeves · 31/01/2011 20:49

I said I was going to call the fracture clinic to see when his appointment is and he started going on about patient confidentiality! Grrrrr, I am his wife FFS. I have also said he could do lasting damage but he is one of those fuckwits men who think they know best, all the time.

And thankfully it is a beach holiday we are going on so not too much walking required hopefully.

OP posts:

McDreamy · 31/01/2011 20:49

Good idea to see his GP for some medication.

unfitmother · 31/01/2011 20:50

Can you phone the Fracture clinic?

frgr · 31/01/2011 20:51

Your husband is being very immature about this, it's one thing to have a fear of hospitals/whatever, but it's quite another to risk his future health like this. It's not fair to put you in that situation. FWIW, my brother broke his ankle one winter as kids, and i attended the hospital appointments with my mum, i remember the day he got his cast off, he went to have x-rays to make sure it had healed, etc. and was given crutches to ease the weight back on.

What happens if your DH's ankle really isn't ready to be let out of the cast and he breaks it again? Surely he's risking further complications and pain/discomfort in the cold weather/when older with this sort of thing?

Honestly, my mind boggles at the idea a grown man would risk his own health like this.

Original poster

ilikeyoursleeves · 31/01/2011 20:51

McDreamy, he already had one removed as he had a temporary one put on at first and then the permanent one 3 days later. I just don't understand him at all.

OP posts:

penguin73 · 31/01/2011 20:52

When the plaster on my fractured ankle was cut off after 6 weeks it had to be x-rayed then re-plastered as it had not healed as much as they had hoped, I also then had to have physio and follow up appts to reduce the risk of further damage/arthritis later on. So not only is there the risk of damaging himself with the saw he is also likely to cause further long-term damage to the ankle without the right-follow up treatment.
So make him go!!! (Bach's rescue remedy and the promise of a lollipop?!)

Original poster

ilikeyoursleeves · 31/01/2011 20:53

frgr, I have said all that to him- I have said that he could be risking his mobility and what if he can't play football in the park with his sons when he is older etc. I have said hwat if you need an operation in the future if you don't look after yourself now and he just says 'I'll deal with that if it happens'.

!!!!!!!!

OP posts:

Sidge · 31/01/2011 20:53

Unless he can get his hands on a surgical oscillating saw the chances of getting his cast off without inuring himself are pretty low.

Also if he takes it off prematurely he runs the risk of knackering his ankle long term.

He can ask his GP for a beta blocker or sedative to help him on the day of his appointment, but the GP won't be able to remove the cast as 1, they don't have the right kit, and 2, they can't X-Ray to check the bone alignment and assess healing.

AgentZigzag · 31/01/2011 20:54

Not immature frge, scared.

And telling someone to pull themselves together/get over it/you're a grown man FFS, doesn't make the fear any easier.

McDreamy · 31/01/2011 20:54

OK, did he find it really difficult having the new one put on?

FWIW I don't think he is being immature. Phobias are a very real thing. He is not being rational though. Difficult situation. Not sure what else to say except removing his own plaster might mean more hospital care if there are complications, might sound like a good idea to him but it could lead to more trouble for him. Has he thought about that?

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