Update at end of first post - I hurt myself

[ktgrok]

So last night the dog brded around 3am so I took him and the other big one out on leash. Or tried to. But as i was opening the sliding door I had both leashes -those evil retractable ones - in my left hand. Dogs saw a critter run into the woods and took off to the left, hitting the end of the leash and slamming my arm and hand into the wall/sliding door frame. I dropped leashes, chased them 3 houses down in the dark and in a miracle got them back -one was wrapped in the others leash and one had leash around a bush. So they were caught. I grabbed them and was partway back when DS22 came out - he'd heard me yell when it happend. he saw my arm and said, "ER."

He got me a pack of frozen veggies and a cloth, woke up DH, made sure I had my wallet, id, insurance card, and contacts to put in (I was in glasses and hate them). I honestly would have preferred he take me to the ER, he's medical that way, but was not sure the dogs would be alive when I got back if I left DH home with them, lol. (kidding...mostly)

We have a stand alone ER near here so went there and it was not busy at all, thankfully. They got xrays and the on staff doc said I was the luckiest woman in the world since he saw no fractures but a specialist would look at them in the morning an upload everything to my records. 

However, one finger has a popping sensation when I move it, there is still significant hand swelling, and I don't trust ER doctors with small fractures in small bones like metacarpals and such. And they have not uploaded a report from the hospital, so I'm going to have DS 22 drive me to the ortho walk in clinic shortly. I don't want o get a call from the ER at 5pm telling me it is actually broken and then I have to wait until monday to see an ortho. 

That's the right call, correct? My copay is like $40 for ortho and imaging is free. 

UPDATE-I went to the orthopedist clinic. They said there is at least one fracture in the radius, maybe two. No obvious fractures in the hand or fingers but x-rays next week may show them. Because of how much pain and swelling there is in the hand they are sending me to a hand specialist on Wednesday of next week. For now I am in a bigger and more comfortable splint as well as a sling, and next week they likely will put me in a cast. Too much swelling for now. Glad I went though so that they could get the hand specialist appointment set up and so I can get into a better splint. Much more comfortable in this one. The other one they said is more for after a cast when you are mostly healed. Looks like I will be perfecting my use of voice to text for a while as I suck at typing one-handed.

 

Edited January 14, 2022 by ktgrok

[AbcdeDooDah]

Ouch! And yeah I would get a second opinion at the walk in. ER docs missed a fracture in my husband's freaking neck.

Gentle hugs.

[Starr]

Yes, I agree getting it checked out by ortho. Even if it's not fractured it may need to be in a splint or something. Or a popping stopper. lol. We always preferred hand surgeons if one needs surgery. Hope it heals well and soon!

[catz]

It's the right call, but sometimes it takes a few days for those really small hairlines to show up on an x-ray.  So if it weren't super awful, I might wait out the weekend.  But at $40 if you're uncomfortable and stressed, it may be worth the trip now.  

[Kassia]

Is it possible that it's too early for the fracture to show up?  I've always heard that sometimes there can be a fracture but it doesn't show up on x-ray immediately.  I've had a wrist fracture missed at ER before but they did call me a couple of days later to tell me - I guess a second person examined the image after whoever was there went I went in did.  

But if you're not paying a lot, I think it's worth it to get checked.  We pay 100% until our high deductible is met so we avoid it if possible.  I hope you're okay and not in too much pain.  😞

 

[lmrich]

So sorry! 

See if you can get an appointment with an ortho. Keep icing it. 

[Katy]

Yeah, popping sounds are often ligaments. I’d want ortho or hand surgeon opinion.

[Catwoman]

Oh no, Katie! I'm so sorry you got hurt! I'm no expert on this type of injury, but I just wanted to send hugs and prayers that nothing is fractured and you'll feel a lot better very soon!!!

[sbgrace]

I definitely think ortho is a good call. But I think it's better to go after a few days--give swelling time to subside a bit. It's easy to miss those small fractures just after an accident (I have unfortunate experience). 

[prairiewindmomma]

Yes, go to an ortho....after 48-72 hours.  I agree with the others about the swelling/missed fracture issue. You have 10 days until the remodeling sets in before any surgeries have to take place. Use that window of time wisely, iykwim. 

[QueenCat]

Ugh... dogs... love them but they can be strong! I'm glad it wasn't worse. Take care of yourself!

[kbutton]

I am so sorry! We have a relative that just fractured wrist bones (multiple). I am glad you are getting into a specialist.

Regarding the ED reads on x-rays--most place have a radiologist read remotely or in person, and some are better than others. DH has caught a lot of bad radiology reads, but some HCWs just do not read their own! I guess that's reasonable in the sense that the radiology people are supposedly the experts, but more eyes makes sense to me. Anyway, just my caution there that it's often NOT an ER doc reading the x-ray. 

[ktgrok]

3 minutes ago, kbutton said:

I am so sorry! We have a relative that just fractured wrist bones (multiple). I am glad you are getting into a specialist.

Regarding the ED reads on x-rays--most place have a radiologist read remotely or in person, and some are better than others. DH has caught a lot of bad radiology reads, but some HCWs just do not read their own! I guess that's reasonable in the sense that the radiology people are supposedly the experts, but more eyes makes sense to me. Anyway, just my caution there that it's often NOT an ER doc reading the x-ray. 

In this case my paperwork actually said that it was not a radiologist that looks at them first and that the radiologist or specialist will look at them the next day. I think in bigger hospitals that would be different but this was a small standalone ER.

12 minutes ago, QueenCat said:

Ugh... dogs... love them but they can be strong! I'm glad it wasn't worse. Take care of yourself!

Not going to lie, the dogs are in their kennels for the foreseeable future. Between the completely forgetting how to be housebroken when we moved and now this I am not pleased. That said, it was my fault for using Flexi leashes and taking them both out at the same time. I knew that holding both leashes in one hand while opening and closing the door was dumb. I just thought the worst case it was them bolting off for me not being able to hold onto the leashes. But I should've known better, I've known people who broke bones using Flexi leashes. We are no longer using them which means it is even harder to get the hound to P and poop because he hates going on a leash.

[kbutton]

8 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

In this case my paperwork actually said that it was not a radiologist that looks at them first and that the radiologist or specialist will look at them the next day. I think in bigger hospitals that would be different but this was a small standalone ER.

Interesting! One less charge to the insurance. 😁 I wonder if this is always the case, or if it's due to Covid absences. One of DH's facilities had zero MRI people who could come in overnight. Zero. They could cover dayshift (I think barely), but they had too many people out sick to cover the night shift. 

[AbcdeDooDah]

Glad they caught the fracture (s)!

I hope you're not in too  much pain!

[ktgrok]

Forgot photos!

[TravelingChris]

4 hours ago, ktgrok said:

So last night the dog brded around 3am so I took him and the other big one out on leash. Or tried to. But as i was opening the sliding door I had both leashes -those evil retractable ones - in my left hand. Dogs saw a critter run into the woods and took off to the left, hitting the end of the leash and slamming my arm and hand into the wall/sliding door frame. I dropped leashes, chased them 3 houses down in the dark and in a miracle got them back -one was wrapped in the others leash and one had leash around a bush. So they were caught. I grabbed them and was partway back when DS22 came out - he'd heard me yell when it happend. he saw my arm and said, "ER."

He got me a pack of frozen veggies and a cloth, woke up DH, made sure I had my wallet, id, insurance card, and contacts to put in (I was in glasses and hate them). I honestly would have preferred he take me to the ER, he's medical that way, but was not sure the dogs would be alive when I got back if I left DH home with them, lol. (kidding...mostly)

We have a stand alone ER near here so went there and it was not busy at all, thankfully. They got xrays and the on staff doc said I was the luckiest woman in the world since he saw no fractures but a specialist would look at them in the morning an upload everything to my records. 

However, one finger has a popping sensation when I move it, there is still significant hand swelling, and I don't trust ER doctors with small fractures in small bones like metacarpals and such. And they have not uploaded a report from the hospital, so I'm going to have DS 22 drive me to the ortho walk in clinic shortly. I don't want o get a call from the ER at 5pm telling me it is actually broken and then I have to wait until monday to see an ortho. 

That's the right call, correct? My copay is like $40 for ortho and imaging is free. 

UPDATE-I went to the orthopedist clinic. They said there is at least one fracture in the radius, maybe two. No obvious fractures in the hand or fingers but x-rays next week may show them. Because of how much pain and swelling there is in the hand they are sending me to a hand specialist on Wednesday of next week. For now I am in a bigger and more comfortable splint as well as a sling, and next week they likely will put me in a cast. Too much swelling for now. Glad I went though so that they could get the hand specialist appointment set up and so I can get into a better splint. Much more comfortable in this one. The other one they said is more for after a cast when you are mostly healed. Looks like I will be perfecting my use of voice to text for a while as I suck at typing one-handed.

 

I am so glad you went.  I find that orthopedists are much more likely to find fractures than regular doctors.  Because they compare xrays with examination of the injured part.  

[Frances]

48 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

In this case my paperwork actually said that it was not a radiologist that looks at them first and that the radiologist or specialist will look at them the next day. I think in bigger hospitals that would be different but this was a small standalone ER.

Not going to lie, the dogs are in their kennels for the foreseeable future. Between the completely forgetting how to be housebroken when we moved and now this I am not pleased. That said, it was my fault for using Flexi leashes and taking them both out at the same time. I knew that holding both leashes in one hand while opening and closing the door was dumb. I just thought the worst case it was them bolting off for me not being able to hold onto the leashes. But I should've known better, I've known people who broke bones using Flexi leashes. We are no longer using them which means it is even harder to get the hound to P and poop because he hates going on a leash.

One of the very first things they told us at the Humane Society class for new dog owners when we adopted our first dog many years ago was to never, ever use any type of retractable leash due to the potential for serious injury.

I’m so sorry about your injury, but so happy you will be seeing a hand surgeon. If you need physical therapy afterwards, please also request one who specializes in hands. My husband had the best hand surgeon in the state when he had a major hand injury, but he almost didn’t get back full mobility because he spent way too long with a physical therapist who didn’t really know what he was doing. The results were dramatically different when he switched therapists, although it still took a long time.

[ktgrok]

2 minutes ago, Frances said:

One of the very first things they told us at the Humane Society class for new dog owners when we adopted our first dog many years ago was to never, ever use any type of retractable leash due to the potential for serious injury.

I’m so sorry about your injury, but so happy you will be seeing a hand surgeon. If you need physical therapy afterwards, please also request one who specializes in hands. My husband had the best hand surgeon in the state when he had a major hand injury, but he almost didn’t get back full mobility because he spent way too long with a physical therapist who didn’t really know what he was doing. The results were dramatically different when he switched therapists, although it still took a long time.

yup. I've lectured my own clients not to use them. sigh.

And good to know about the Physical Therapy thing thank you.

[wintermom]

So sorry you were injured. It can happen so fast, and it's easy to beat ourself up after the fact. 

The last time I let my dog out really late a night he got sprayed by a skunk. Never again. Late night pee breaks are not allowed. In your state I'd be worried about alligators or something scary and dangerous, not just super stinky. 

[Kassia]

I'm so glad you listened to your gut and went to be seen!  That looks pretty awful.  😞 

[Carrie12345]

I’m so sorry that happened!

Dh and some of my kids keep insisting on using a retractable leash. Including the kid who got a bad burn from one with a friend’s dog. @@. I mean, our dog is teeny tiny, but still.  I need to “accidentally” lose that thing.

[TravelingChris]

1 hour ago, Frances said:

One of the very first things they told us at the Humane Society class for new dog owners when we adopted our first dog many years ago was to never, ever use any type of retractable leash due to the potential for serious injury.

I’m so sorry about your injury, but so happy you will be seeing a hand surgeon. If you need physical therapy afterwards, please also request one who specializes in hands. My husband had the best hand surgeon in the state when he had a major hand injury, but he almost didn’t get back full mobility because he spent way too long with a physical therapist who didn’t really know what he was doing. The results were dramatically different when he switched therapists, although it still took a long time.

That woudl not be physical therapy but rather occupational therapy.  Occupational therapy has nothing to do with work.  It has to do with hands, arms, shoulders.  I just finished occupational therapy and now will be starting physical because I couldn't really do the physical while my legs weren't working right and I did need the occupational too-- I can't even tell you how many times in the last 11 years I have had PT or OT.  It has been a lot. 

But yes, kgrok, definitely ask for OT after you heal.

[TravelingChris]

1 hour ago, ktgrok said:

yup. I've lectured my own clients not to use them. sigh.

And good to know about the Physical Therapy thing thank you.

Not Physical therapy--that is for back or legs,.  You need Occupational therapy- that is for hands, elbows and shoulders.

[TravelingChris]

9 minutes ago, Carrie12345 said:

I’m so sorry that happened!

Dh and some of my kids keep insisting on using a retractable leash. Including the kid who got a bad burn from one with a friend’s dog. @@. I mean, our dog is teeny tiny, but still.  I need to “accidentally” lose that thing.

Good idea,  I

[ktgrok]

15 minutes ago, Kassia said:

I'm so glad you listened to your gut and went to be seen!  That looks pretty awful.  😞 

It was pretty gnarly looking! The swelling was crazy. Have splint off to ice it now and looks like this currently. 

[mommyoffive]

I am sorry.  I hate those kinds of leashes.  We use them, but I have had the dogs pull me a lot on them.  

[Kassia]

23 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

It was pretty gnarly looking! The swelling was crazy. Have splint off to ice it now and looks like this currently. 

I know you know this but ice AND elevate.  HOpe you're not hurting too much.  😞 

[dirty ethel rackham]

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this, but glad that you were able to see a specialist.  I had a stress fracture in November - I knew it was a stress fracture, but the urgent care associated with our hospital didn't see the fracture on the x-rays.  But the NP who saw me thought it was so she insisted I see a podiatrist and he saw the fracture.

I, too, have had many dog-related injuries - falling on the ice when he wanted to run to see his new best friend, getting turf in my glasses when he saw a coyote and tried to bolt, and I tripped over him when I was loopy on pain meds from surgery and fell into a wall and nearly gave myself a concussion.  (He won't come to bed until I'm bed because he's afraid I will fall on him again.)  

Oh, and I hate those flexi-leashes.  Many people in our neighborhood use them and they don't get their dog under control when we are approaching.  Which makes my big dog crazy because he doesn't like that power differential.  

Praying for healing! 

[KSera]

So glad you went in! When you said “flexi leash” in the first post, I started cringing, because I thought I was going to be looking at pictures of a degloving injury 😱. Those things are evil indeed. If anyone is trying to get someone to stop using a retractable leash, just search for retractable leash degloving and send them the results. Horrific *shudder*. I hope your hand and wrist heal up quickly.

[ktgrok]

38 minutes ago, Kassia said:

I know you know this but ice AND elevate.  HOpe you're not hurting too much.  😞 

trying to elevate but it is awkward in the splint. trying though. 

18 minutes ago, dirty ethel rackham said:

 

Oh, and I hate those flexi-leashes.  Many people in our neighborhood use them and they don't get their dog under control when we are approaching.  Which makes my big dog crazy because he doesn't like that power differential.  

Praying for healing! 

ugh. I ONLY was using them in my own back yard - never on a walk or around other people!

14 minutes ago, KSera said:

So glad you went in! When you said “flexi leash” in the first post, I started cringing, because I thought I was going to be looking at pictures of a degloving injury 😱. Those things are evil indeed. If anyone is trying to get someone to stop using a retractable leash, just search for retractable leash degloving and send them the results. Horrific *shudder*. I hope your hand and wrist heal up quickly.

I have the all tape kind not the string kind but still was very careful of that very thing. terrifying.

[Kanin]

Oh no, I'm so sorry this happened to you! 

[Starr]

I'm glad you got in and are on your way to healing properly. The pain, the hassle, the everything. I'm so sorry.

[Annie G]

Feel better soon! That wrist looks PAINFUL! 

[ktgrok]

I slept with my hand basically straight up and the swelling is better. Fingers are swollen but the hands-on as I am a lot less swelling. Still have trouble with moving fingers through the full range of motion. At this point kind of between them circulation and such strong and not pushing it.

Edited January 15, 2022 by ktgrok

[Starr]

That's encouraging. Good for you to keep it elevated! Hopefully you are able to chill and keep it up today as well.

[TexasProud]

Good for you for going to the ortho clinic. Yes, things are often missed for a variety of reasons in the ER. Praying the appointment with the hand guy goes well. Sorry you are having to deal with this. 

[*****]

Your story sounds painful, the whole thing, ouch!  I feel for you, but glad your son knew what to do, good for him!  Kudos to him, he was very attentive and knew what you needed and liked!  Sending healing thoughts your way...