did I mishear diagnosis?

[ElyDave]

So, xray shown to me at A&E showed a v-shaped notch an corresponding bone fragment, described to me by the doctor as a stable, weight bearing fracture. Looked like a fracture to me as well.

Discussion following day, virtual fracture clinic " no bony abnormalities of elbow, hip or spine" so elbow fracture cleared , but further conversation and the lady on the phone pulled the pics up and agreed with me, and also said the letter would reflect that.

Suffice to say, it didn't, merely repeated the no bony abnormalities etc, noting that I had been told I had a fracture, not that I had a fracture. Quite different in my opinion when presenting this in support of an insurance claim.

So I rang the number today, conversation as above, to be told "we weren't sure if it was an osteocyte or a fracture"

A bit of googlefu shows an osteocyte is a bone cell. I is now confused

[hellymedic]

Osteophyte is a bony spur that develops on the edge of an old/arthritic bone extremity.

Such may become detached...

[ElyDave]

OK, this was on my pelvic girdle, not an extremity, and associated with acute pain, so that doesn't sound right?

[hellymedic]

The hip joint gets osteophytes too!

The edges of bearing surfaces get sharper...

[ElyDave]

It wasn't on the hip joint, halfway along one of the broad bits that join in the middle.

Hip joints themselves were clear

[pdm]

You need an opinion from a musculo-skeletal Radiologist (A Doctor specialising in imaging), not a nurse, orthopaedic surgeon or anyone else.
There are things on plain X-Rays that may look like fractures but turn out to be normal variants, developmental variants, results of "wear and tear", overlapping "shadows" and so on (and vice versa).
Sadly, your description is not enough for a diagnosis!

P.S.
I would be happy to look at the image for you but, since I am now retired, anything I say is, of course, completely wrong and cannot be trusted in the slightest. Any knowledge I have gained in the last 30 years is completely obsolete and cannot be shared for fear of misleading and corrupting the youngsters (according to the GMC for not having been "appraised" in the last 2 months) [])

[T42]

[hijack]

There are things on plain X-Rays that may look like fractures but turn out to be normal variants...

That was probably the excuse used by the twat intern who looked at the X-ray of my broken collar bone and said "what, that line? That's nothing."

"Nothing" turned out to be a second break that went untreated for two weeks as a result. I've still got the lumpy, permanently-shortened collar bone and the shoulder pain that goes with it.

[/hijack]

[ElyDave]

fracture clinic, Registrar, yes it's definitely a fracture - and that's written in the report here - See?

The letter -"no bony abnormalities" oh, that just means there's no underlying issues, you definitely have a fracture, this little chip here.

Plain English anyone?

[rafletcher]

Letter was written to be read by a medical professional considering your claim, not for the patient I'd guess.

[adenough]

Thought I'd broke my elbow on last day of a tour in Mallorca. Strapped it myself and flew home. Went to A&E. Could not move my arm and in intense pain. nurse said  "can you turn your wrist". "yes". decided it was not fractured and sent me home. One month later, still no movement. back to A&E. had to threaten to sue to get an Xray. Doc says three fractures but can't do anything now as healing started. Strapped it up. Since, seen two replacement consultants [my consultant never turned up] who agreed with fractures and sent me to Physio [waste of time]. Eventually see the disappearing arrogant consultant who swanned in and out, complete with bow tie and pronounced "No fractures there" and disappeared. Since had op for trapped ulnar nerve and arm permanently bent. Wonderful!

[hellymedic]

fracture clinic, Registrar, yes it's definitely a fracture - and that's written in the report here - See?

The letter -"no bony abnormalities" oh, that just means there's no underlying issues, you definitely have a fracture, this little chip here.

Plain English anyone?

Suspect omission of the word 'other' in report... Should be 'No OTHER bony abnormalities.'

Suspect medics inferred that...