Help Please, Dr. Mark

[Imahoot393]

Definately be persistent. They will get them for you!

Sorry I did not hear about your injury before now. Good luck in your healing and I am pulling for you!

[DRGSin393]

Im confused here.. You broke both legs, with hardware, what, 20 days ago and youre wanting to be up and walking around? Am I the only one thinking this sounds crazy? Has orthopedics advanced that much recently? Maybe Dr Mark could shed some light on the process.

[MotoMan]

Originally Posted by DRGSin393

Am I the only one thinking this sounds crazy?

No your not. However I was told that with a rod placed in the leg instead of plates, it would heal MUCH faster then mine did, however with the extent of my fracture a rod wasn't possible.

[DRGSin393]

I understand the reasoning behind faster healing between a rod and plates but 20 days! Bone doesnt deposit and mineralize that quickly.

[MotoMan]

Originally Posted by DRGSin393

I understand the reasoning behind faster healing between a rod and plates but 20 days! Bone doesnt deposit and mineralize that quickly.

Oh I agree, I am a bit in the dark as well.

[pragmatic393]

Drew,

It sounds to me like their is a lot of confusion on your Doc's instructions. Maybe all one-sided from him, but before you bail on him. Make sure you have given him a good opportunity to answer your concerns.

Write all your questions down (or heck print out this thread ), Before your next visit. Pull em out and check each one off when your satisfied ~ Give a copy to his nurse a few days before your next visit to make sure everyone is aware. Then, if he is still vague, you have something to pass on to your insurance.

That insurance thing sounds strange to me too, but believable ~ unfortunately.

[Drew778]

I was first told, I could put weight on my right leg with the rod that same week, then it was changed to 4 weeks?

It's a little earlier, but not much, I still have 4 more weeks before I can put weight on my left leg.

I'm pretty much lost like you guys, I get very limited information from my doctor, but he did say I heel fast even though I had no X-rays done since the surgery

To clear things up a bit:
my right leg has a rod, plate, and screws, the right was a clean break I think?
my left leg has to plates and screws, the left was shattered going into the ankle, don't know how bad?

[Drew778]

Originally Posted by drmark

I never heard of an insurance plan that forces you to stay with a doctor in whom you don't have any confidence.


I would go in there and demand copies of the X-rays. He'll give them to you.

When I asked him, he said the X-rays were at the other Hospital I had my surgery, I thought that was weird, he didn't have them at his office?

I'm not really sure how to demand it, I feel he keeps giving me the run around.

[DRGSin393]

Youre entitled to COPIES of the x rays. Sometimes there's a charge but most of the time there isnt. No explanation necessary, you just ask for them and they have to oblige. Just dont get nasty, otherwise they could take their time.

[Drew778]

WOO HOO, I just got up and walked around on cruches

[joe346CBMX]

congrats drew. Each little step is one closer to being back to your old self. Liberating isn't it. I am happy for you. joe

[MotoMan]

Thats great man. Keep it up.

[Drew778]

Thanks guys, I've been pushing pretty hard, hopefully my leg can handle

I must have faith in my doctor

[MotoMan]

Originally Posted by Drew778

Thanks guys, I've been pushing pretty hard, hopefully my leg can handle

I must have faith in my doctor

Your leg will let you know if you are pushing to hard to fast.....trust me.

[Drew778]

Right leg:








Left leg:

[drmark]

The right side is good. The left fibula is crooked and turned inward. I would redo that one.
I don't need to see more X-rays

[Drew778]

Originally Posted by drmark

The right side is good. The left fibula is crooked and turned inward. I would redo that one.
I don't need to see more X-rays

I'm going to see another Dr. next Friday, he's a sport doc unlike the one I have now.

If I leave the left leg as is what kind of problems would I have?

I'm getting ready to back to work, how long would I be out again?

Also my current Doctor was going to leave all the screws, rod, and plates in for good, does that sound right?

[drmark]

There is no reason to take out the rod or the plate on that side.

On the other side, I would remove the screws and plate on the fibula, cut the bone and set it with a plate and screws, but this time it would be straight. I guess I still want want to see a fresh Xray on the tibial side of that leg.

How long you will be off depends on what you do for a living. After the operation I just described, you would be off crutches in on month.

[Drew778]

Originally Posted by drmark

There is no reason to take out the rod or the plate on that side.

On the other side, I would remove the screws and plate on the fibula, cut the bone and set it with a plate and screws, but this time it would be straight. I guess I still want want to see a fresh Xray on the tibial side of that leg.

How long you will be off depends on what you do for a living. After the operation I just described, you would be off crutches in on month.

Well, I'm a aircaft mechanic in the Air National Guard, but they do have light duty.

Could the left leg wait 6 months or so?

[drmark]

I guess it could, but I wouldn't have left it like that for one day.