GRRR!!! Stupid ER Doctor!!!!!!!! Vent & WWYD? Updated!

[momof2little1s]

So i am so tired and annoyed and worried!  Caitlin fell off the monkey bars this afternoon.  After she was in so much pain and would not walk on her foot.  So we went to the ER.  And we were there for 5 hours.  They did xrays and could not see a break.  But the doc said many times kids have a fracture in the growth plates that you can not find on xray.  So he said they might cast her anyway since she could not walk.  Then Caitlin starting crying and said she did not want a cast.   I tried telling her it would be okay and it would not hurt and explained how they did it.  But she has had so many bad tests and proceedures that she has a hard time believing anything would not hurt.  So she was still scared.  Then another doc (the orthopedic pedi doc) came in and picked Caitlin up and said let's see you walk.  he put her down she limped on the side of her foot that did not hurt and took 2 steps clearly still in pain.  He asked if it hurt and she said no.  But I she by her face that was so not true.  So I said to the doc she is limping on the side that does not hurt.  He said yes but she is walking and she said it did not hurt to walk.  SO I pulled him to the side explained how many hospital visits she has had and told him that she wanted to go home and was afraid of the cast and she is saying it does not hurt so she can go home.  And he told me he did not think that was true.  He said believe me if it was fractured she could not even try to walk on the other side.  So he discharged us with nothing.  I asked him if I should wrap or tape it and put ice on it and he said, "No  just leave her a lone. She will be fine in no time.  She just needed some mommy attention"  I was so pissed!  So I said should I watch for anything?  And he said well I guess if she is still complaining when walking you could bring her to the pedi on Monday.  GRRRRRRR!!!!!

So now we have been home since 5:00 and she is in agony!  She can not walk on it and has been crawling or hopping to get around!  And I got her to admitt to me that it did hurt when she walked on the side of her foot and was afraid of getting a cast so she said it did not hurt cus she wanted to go home! UGH!!!!!  We had a long talk about lying about that stuff and how she could make things worse by walking on it it it really does hurt.  I want to be mad at her, but she was just a scared kid! The doc should have listened to me over the 4 yr old!  AGH!!!  Now what should I do?  I do not know if I should take back to the ER tomorrow or wait till Monday and go to the pedi!  I don't want her to push herself to walk on it and make it worse if it is a fracture.  I am at a loss!  Anyways thanks for listening!  I am so worried and pissed!  Felt good to get that all out!

Update:  Well I am even more pissed at the ER doc now!!!!!!  Yesterday I called my pedi and he said he would call the hospital and get a orthopedic doc and/or radioplogist to look at Caitlin's x-rays. So, My pedi called this morning to tell me that the on call orthopedic doc (not the ER doc we saw) read Caitlin's x-ray and found she has a fracture.  So we are going in tomorrow to see him and I am sure she will have a cast.  Hopefully it will be a walking one.  can't imagine crutches at 4!  Had I listened to the stupid ER doc she could have hurt it worse walking on it for 3 day! UGH!  I want to march back there find him and scream at him!  Of course I will not and instead will be making a formal complant with his department.  My pedi said he would find out how to file my complaint.  And my poor Caitlin is in so much pain!  She has been crying cus it hurts so bad and telling me the pain was making her stomach feel sick.  The pedi called in some tylenol with codiene and that is the only way she is getting any pain relief.  I feel so bad for her.  I can not wait to get her casted and on the way to recovery!

Thanks for all the advice and support!  you girls are the best!

Kelly

[twinsplus2more]

Nov. 1, 2008 at 9:33 PM

If it is a growth plate fracture, it needs to be looked at by a reliable orthoped. doc.  One that actually watches the face of the child as they walk......a child in pain is easy to recognize.

If she can tolerate advil, give her that for the pain and take her to either the ER or your peds doc.  It is up to you on whether you trust taking her back to the ER.

[Helen]

Nov. 1, 2008 at 9:40 PM

Does your ped have Sunday hours?  Call them and ask them what to do.  Also, ask for a reliable ortho.

[grumpyboston]

Nov. 1, 2008 at 9:41 PM

you need to take her back to the er or the orthipeds on monday she needs a cast .If the growth plate doesnt get taking care of it can mess up the leg

[mamakate1981]

Nov. 1, 2008 at 9:56 PM

I am so sorry that you had to go through all of that. how dumb could that dr have been not listening to you over a 4yr old? I tell you as moms we go through it all and then some! I am not firmiliar with fractures or breaks so I am no help there, but I am here as a friend for support. Best of luck and keep us updated!! ((hugs))

[faithhopeclan2]

Nov. 1, 2008 at 10:25 PM

sorry to hear that hone!!!

[momof2little1s]

Nov. 2, 2008 at 10:35 AM So I talked to the Pedi this AM. He said keep Caitlin on the couch with her foot up and he is gonna get the x-rays sent over to him and make sure a radiologist reads them. Then tomorrow if she is still in pain he is gonna get her an appointment with an orthopedic doc. She is in a lot of pain and had a hard night so the pedi is calling in some tylenol with codeine. So we are having a couch day. Lots of movies and snacks with her foot elevated. Thanks for all the help! I will update when I have new news. Kelly

(Original Poster)