1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Ankle Problems

Delays with surgery - worried

Posted , 2 users are following.

fiona23626
fiona23626

Hi there,

I broke my lower fibula right ankle on Nov 18. I didn’t realise it was broken until attending minor injuries and receiving a plaster cast on 21 Nov. 

My fracture clinic appt was yesterday at my local hospital. I had a gravity stress x-ray which showed instability and therefore it was recommended I should have an operation to put a plate in. They also did me a new fibre glass cast. 

I’ve been told the op has to be this week due to time since injury. They referred me to another nearby hospital.

The fracture clinic sent me home and said to expect a call yesterday evening informing of the operation to be today and to call this morning if I hadn’t heard. I had not received any calls from the hospital so rang this morning.

After some confusion over who was the right department (was it through fracture  clinic consultant or trauma) I appeared to find the person responsible. I was given their mobile no and told to ring at noon if I still hadn’t heard. 

Ringing at noon I was told there was never any way I was going to be operated on today due to the number of urgent cases over night. (Oh and stop fasting now by the way).

I’ve spoken with this person since and they say they have never seen the level of demand etc etc can’t see me being in before Friday or even beyond that. 

It would appear that new more urgent cases are coming in alongside patients already admitted and waiting. 

As I’m at home and ‘comfortable’ I really can’t see how  going to get to the top of this list.... ever? 

Any tips? Also, what might be the complications of the delay here?

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • cher11
    cher11 fiona23626

    Posted

    Hello.. I was injured last year Sept 12th, and wasn't operated on until Sept 30th, due to swelling. They told me if they did surgery right away, due to the swelling, the wounds and sutures wouldn't close up. So I had to wait 2 weeks for ORIF surgery.

    • fiona23626
      fiona23626 cher11

      Posted

      Hi Cher 

      Yes! I’ve heard similar things. With my particular case, they seem concerned to let the time between injury and operation to be no more than 2 to 2 1/2 weeks.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.