My father in-law fell last week.

[angiealf]

Doc says cracked or broken rib. But did not send him for an xray!
Surely 1 should be done to make sure its a clean brake.

[Sqad]

No point in sending him for an X-Ray unless he is ill and short of breath....which is extremely unlikely.

It doesn't matter "one hoot" whether it is a "clean" break.....whatever a clean break is.......

[angiealf]

Sqad, He has Emphisemia Fibrosis so finds breathing difficult. On oxygen 16 hours a day. What i meant by clean brake is - has it broken without any jagged edges or is it misaligned and crooked. The latter may cause damage to inside flesh.

[Sqad]

He probably has CPOD and is short of breath anyway and as far as an X-Ray is concerned without any evidence of extreme shortness of breath following the incident then it would be of little or no value....even if the fracture? showed up.


What is far more important than an X-Ray is to inject a dose of local anaesthetic into a painful spot, so as not to impair his already troubled breathing.

[angiealf]

Nothing like an injection was done - only pain killers which have now given him constipation. My OH got him some Lactulose so hope that works.

[Sqad]

angie....he will be fine.

[angiealf]

Thanks for your help sqad - it eased my mind a bit. Its always worrying when an elderly parent hurts them selves.