Would you see a specialist when your injury is healing?

[Kassia]

My dd injured her wrist during tumbling class about a month ago.  We did a search on Google of her symptoms and it was pretty clear that she had a tear that would be slow to heal.  She didn't have any improvement at all after three weeks so, two weeks ago, I made an appt. for her with an orthopedist.  The appt. is on Wednesday and she's felt an enormous amount of improvement in her wrist in the past week.  She said it feels almost normal now, but she can still feel that it's off in the morning (she thinks she may be sleeping on it funny) and when she first takes off her splint.  

 

I don't know if I should cancel the appointment and need to decide by tomorrow morning.  I don't mind taking her to the doctor if she needs it, but I hate to spend the time and money if she's healing and there's nothing that the doctor can do.  We have a very high deductible, so the appt. will be all out of pocket.  And the appt. is at an extremely inconvenient time, but it was the first appt. I could get at the time when she wasn't feeling any improvement.  On the other hand, my daughter loves tumbling and is on her wrists a lot so it would be nice to have a specialist give us a plan to get her back to her normal activity again when she's fully healed.  But this will be our first time seeing this doctor and I don't even know if he's good or not (I haven't had very good experiences with doctors).  

 

Any advice?  

 

 

[Arcadia]

Since this is a new doctor, I don't know if it would be worth the cost.

 

I have a weak right ankle that sprains easily. In my case, I would still see the doctor if I am healing just for peace of mind because my chance of recurrent injury is very high. My out of pocket isn't high though or I would waver about going.

[SKL]

Actually I would go to a chiropractor, especially one that has experience with sports injuries.  Much cheaper, quicker, hands-on, and they actually do something.

 

My kids have had a variety of minor sports accidents, and the chiro has always been helpful.  In fact, I plan to go myself for a strained ankle this week.  :)  They helped me fix a really sore hip before my Europe trip also.  I'd give it a try!

Edited July 26, 2016 by SKL

[SKL]

And since you haven't had good experience with doctors and have a high deductible, you might want to think of going to a chiropractor for wellness also.  That's what I do and I'm much happier.

[Kassia]

If it were my injury, I'd just wait.  I injured my knee in December (I'm a runner) and it took two months to heal on its own.  I knew if I went to the doctor, I'd have a bunch of expensive tests done and then be told to just take NSAIDs, rest, etc.  But I feel guilty doing that with a child.  She just told me it's 95% better, which I didn't know when I posted this.  We might cancel for now and ask her gymnastics instructor for advice on getting back to activity.  He's great and has been a coach for over 20 years.