bodiesmom Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 And the ER told you to follow up with his pediatrician, would you bother? Reason I ask is because: 1- My other son fractured his wrist last week and we were told to follow up with an orthopedic surgeon, and we did so. However, my youngest breaks his collar bone, and is told to just follow up with his regular doc. Why the difference? 2- his pediatrician is "nice" but only helpful in getting forms completed for school. I can almost guarantee you that if we were to "follow-up" with him, he would literally just print out a bunch of informational papers directly from the internet right there in the office and send us on our way. Ask me how I know.... Is there something else he would/could do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 (edited) #1 - It's my understanding that they can't really do much for a simple broken collar bone, so no need for an orthopedic surgeon. I've known a couple of kids who had them, and they just wore slings for an extended period of time. #2 - The follow-up may be to keep an eye on things just to make sure it's not one of those rare cases that are more involved, which might not be obvious until later when swelling goes down. I know someone who broke her collarbone and actually did end up needing surgery. More likely, though, it's to let you know when your dc can start using that arm again. There isn't a specific amount of time - it will depend on how it heals. Would I bother seeing the ped? Yes. I'd resent it, but I'd do it anyway. If the collarbone somehow healed improperly, the dc could have life-long problems from it. I'd want to know I'd done what I could to make sure any correctable problems were caught early. Edited October 19, 2017 by klmama 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodiesmom Posted October 19, 2017 Author Share Posted October 19, 2017 You're right, klmama. All very good points. 😊 I'll make the appointment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 I would think it was dumb, but I would do it, or at least call the peds office and ask if they wanted to see your son. They may not need to see him immediately, but maybe in a couple weeks to make sure it is healing correctly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Yes. Though it sounds like time for a new primary care doc. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 If I was dubious about my ped, I'd be tempted to follow up with the surgeon that saw my other son.... Anne 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Ds15 broke his this summer. We were told by the ER and by his pediatrician that collarbone breaks always heal. We did follow up with his pediatrician, but that was only because he broke it right before we left for an 18 hour car trip to visit my parents. I love our pediatrician, but there was really nothing he could do. Ds15 I was told to wear the sling until he was comfortable not wearing it, that it w was for his comfort, and didn't aid in healing. He wore it for about a week, and it took about four weeks for his pain to go completely away. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodiesmom Posted October 19, 2017 Author Share Posted October 19, 2017 Anne- That thought crossed my mind too- maybe I'll give that doc a call to feel him out and then call the ped if the ortho decides it isn't necessary to even see him. And Ravin...yep. 😎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Anne- That thought crossed my mind too- maybe I'll give that doc a call to feel him out and then call the ped if the ortho decides it isn't necessary to even see him. And Ravin...yep. 😎 It's our 5th broken bone, and the only one.we weren't sent to the Ortho for. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Of course. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnificent_baby Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 I would go to a pediatric ortho surgeon. Some cases do require surgery. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrichor Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 A real broken bone? Yes. My motivation would be so that the ped has a record of the incident. When DS got x-rays a little while ago and we suspected some sort of fracture (but nothing showed up on the xrays), we were told to follow up with the ped. We didn't, because the pain was gone within 24hrs of the urgent care visit, and didn't bother him again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodiesmom Posted October 19, 2017 Author Share Posted October 19, 2017 Oh yes, a real broken bone. My dd had broke her collar bone when she was 4, and her films just showed a slight "fracture", but no displacement, so to speak. My ds however, oh my word. That sucker broke, and went up into an angle formation. his X-rays are painful to even look at. Hmmm.....hearing myself speak....I think I gotta definitely put a call into a pediatric ortho. If I'm going to take the time and spend the money, I may as well at least try to get the best doctor I could get, right? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Oh yes, a real broken bone. My dd had broke her collar bone when she was 4, and her films just showed a slight "fracture", but no displacement, so to speak. My ds however, oh my word. That sucker broke, and went up into an angle formation. his X-rays are painful to even look at. Hmmm.....hearing myself speak....I think I gotta definitely put a call into a pediatric ortho. If I'm going to take the time and spend the money, I may as well at least try to get the best doctor I could get, right? Oh, if it is that bad then yes, I'd want the ortho's take on it, if only for my own peace of mind. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Go to the orthopedic surgeon, preferably one with a pediatric specialization. My younger one did that in Aikido, and we could only get in with a pediatric ortho PA at first, but we stayed with her because they decided not to operate. She always confirmed her opinions with the pediatric surgeon either during our appointment, or messaged me afterwards if she had to talk to him later. We had to come for x-rays every four weeks. Thankfully it healed beautifully on its own. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 I have two who broke collar bones. :glare: we followed up with an ortho. they generally don't do a lot for a collar bone. if you're not happy with your ped, go to an ortho. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 A friend of mine broke his collar bone this summer. He's been in physical therapy and still has some pain. He wore a sling and had it taped for most of the summer. So yeah, I would follow up with someone to ensure you know what side effects to watch for which might indicate further treatment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caraway Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 I'd go to the ortho you liked before. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.