Take out private care to get Dd checked?

[Kemer2018]

My DD has a large, hard, bony feeling lump on her ankle (interior, in addition to a standard ankle bone). Sometimes, at least once a week, it hurts and aches so much she needs painkiller and white linament oil applying to it. At those tomes, she struggles to put weight on it. She's a tall, slender, healthy girl of 12. I'm worried.
Took her to GPS ages ago and he said standard ankle bone.
I'm not happy and try as i might cannot book a bloody gp app.
I've been quoted £100 per month for private care for me and dd (i just want her examined, x-rayed, checked out) .
I work pt bringing home 850pcm. If i get this , can she be seen and examined soon and at a convenient time for us?
Advice please.

Pre existing conditions may be excluded

You don't have to join a private health scheme, you can pay a one off amount to get her checked. Just call your local private hospital and ask for an appointment.

I paid a one off amount to see a consultant, as I was getting nowhere with the GP. The consultant diagnosed a problem and then agreed to operate on me on the NHS, as I didn't have private insurance.

Why do you want a monthly subscription for a whole year, when you may only need a couple of appointments self-paying? (Private GP, refers to private orthopod or other consultant; you get diagnosis and if necessary show to NHS GP if more needs done.)

Agree with PP - if this lump has already been checked over it will be classed as a pre existing condition and wouldn't be covered under a private care policy.

If you want a private consultation, your own GP can do a referral. You don't need a referral from a private GP.

@HiFuckingHo is right, I think - I’d find out how much a consultation and x-rays would cost privately. And as @KarenWhite29 says, previous conditions may well be excluded, and as her GP has already examined it, it would probably count as a pre existing condition, I’m afraid.

Unless you’re joining a company plan (which are often MHD - medical history disregarded) then you will not have cover for something you have symptoms or an awareness of. Even if non diagnosed

You can’t insure a burning house or crashed car. Can’t insure an existing medical in the general PMI market

What is white ligament oil?

A private GP will have longer appointments to be able to listen to a full history, will not be under the pressure and exhaustion many NHS ones are, and may be able to offer at least a tentative diagnosis themselves.

Will depend on the private hospital / area / specialty whether you can self-refer. Isn't possible for everything everywhere, but worth phoning up and checking.

If a condition already exists - you can't insure against it. So I'm sorry it would be a waste of cash to sign up for private medical insurance. Contact your local private hospital and ask if your daughter can be seen privately by an orthopaedic surgeon without a GP referral. They may insist on a GP referral, or you may be lucky. Expect to pay in the region of £250 for first appointment and maybe £200 for a couple of xrays (that's going on S E Englands prices for recent private ortho appointment and care). If they insist on a GP referral - keep pushing for GP appointment and go in prepared; this situation has been going on for x amount of time and you want to know exactly what is going on. Can the GP refer for an ankle xray? If GP can't / won't, ask for a private referral. Be warned some GP may charge for this referral.

Strictly speaking if your daughter does require treatment diagnosed as part of a private consultation, she will need to be referred back to the GP for onward referral for a NHS Ortho appointment. You may be very lucky and find the private ortho will referral directly to NHS but don't count on it.

Keep pushing for the GP appointment; I know you think you're not getting anywhere with the GP, but it is legitimate course of action to delay intervention as many things do get better all by themselves - it's called 'watchful waiting'.

What do you mean you can't get a GP appointment? Do you mean that you are trying in the morning to get one and they are always full? Does your docs allow you to book an appointment ahead? I know some don't. I would keep trying to get a GP appointment - explain situation at reception. Then don't focus on the "bone" in the appointment but on the fact that she can't put weight on it and it's causing her pain.

Unfortunately this would be seen as a pre-existing condition, so would not be covered under a health insurance plan. Especially not at only 100£ a month.

If I were you I would go and see a different GP and ask for an x-ray. I think you have a right to be worried.

If you are still worried and the GPs won't do anything, I would probably pay. But beware it will be expensive. Around 300-500£ for an appointment etc, which is most of your salary.

I thought two bony lumps was normal? I have your “ankle” bone- the one that’s visible, and a second, smaller one just below it.

Have you checked the other ankle? Is it the same or different?

12 is a classic age for “growing pains” as the growth plates close.

I also want to know what white linament is?

I’d say though if a Gp has checked it and says it’s part of the normal ankle anatomy i’d be inclined to believe them.

If it's causing so much pain you go back to gp and demand to be sent for an xray. An xray isn't going to break the NHS. Private health care is not needed for this!

See pic.
Thanks for all your replies. I won't take the plan. I'll call the private hospital and ask them. I'll try again with my G.P.
Thanks again x

Save some money by ditching the muscle rub - totally useless.

I'd start with going to a physio privately for assessment. £40-80 dependent on area for initial 1 hour assessment.

Take it from there. But going privately to podiatry with orthotics is about £500. Silly to pay £1200 a year when for half price you can get a package with specialist.

So you’re saying it’s a bone issue but treating with a muscle rub?

And no, don’t “demand” an x ray. X- rays have side effects and shouldn’t be done on demand. Your GP, or any other dr will have clinical criteria that must be met before they can send for x-ray. It’s not a cost thing, it’s a does the risk of the x-ray outweigh the benefit to the patient thing.

Go back to the gp, like pp said don’t get hung up on the bone thing but present the clinicla symptoms- the pain, non weight bearing etc. I am not clinical but am a sports coach with 30 years + experience of joint aches and pains in teenage girls, and occasional pain, in a joint, in a tall, growing girl, which is managed easily with a pain killer and a muscle rub, would not raise any significant alarm bells, especially if it’s already benn ok’d by a gp.

Google accessory navicular. About 10% of people have an extra foot bone, genetic throw back to monkey thumb feet.

I've got one.

And agree with @yourenotkiddingme, a physio would be a good place to start if youre not happy with the gp and will only cost £30-£50.

Get her a podiatrist appointment. It can sometimes cause flat feet which cause all sorts of issues up the whole leg. Specialist insoles can help.

Ledehe you've hit the nail on the head so thank you. Everything is exactly as she has. Podiatrist is the best way forward based on this.

Also look into joining Benenden. Is sort of a bit like private medical insurance ish and very low cost. Pre existing conditions covered after 6 months

I would ask the GP to refer your DD to a podiatrist. I saw one for an ankle injury many years ago. Your DD may need orthotic insoles which may resolve the pain.

OP could it be this
www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/os-trigonum-syndrome
os trigonum syndrome