Finding assistance for broken and fractured elbows: financial

Hi.

During a recent incident both my elbows were damaged - I believe one is fractured and one is broken.

This occurred on Christmas eve (12/24/2010). I visited an MD in the ER several days later. He diagnosed me only with contusions and did not perform an Xray.

After almost a month w/o healing, I visited an orthopedic Dr on Friday. He did order an Xray but said there may not be much orthopedic medicine could do.

On Saturday I received a call from a third dr, an apparent MD, referenced by the orthopedician. After reviewing the Xray, he said I have a single fracture. However, I am quite certain there is a fracture in only 1 elbow and a break in the other.. and I have experienced broken bones.

Unfortunately, this could not have occurred at a worse time. Up until recently I was homeless and am still unemployed. I have no income. I'm in Illinois and have been told very few orthpedicians take Medicaid - and I am very concerned surgery will leave me injured to some extent forever.

Hence I would like your advice regarding my best options for treatment considering these conditions and whether a chiropractor or osteopath performing an adjustment would be a possible alternative.

Thank you very much.



P.S. For those who may be wondering, the incident involved being arrested while riding a bike at night. I was brought to the ground by two officers who proceeded to use extreme force while cuffing me, apparently twisting my arms so the back of my hands were together. It was entirely unwarranted. This left contusions and black bruises from above my elbows to my wrists on both arms.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

You should get some present day scans done and follow up with an orthopedician.

If you have a fracture which has not healed or if you have any displacement then you have to consider surgical correction.

If you would have diagnosed your fracture initially you would have gone through a cast or brace and strict instructions of rest and immobilization of the fractured bone for full recovery and would have corrected this conservatively. Presently you have to go ahead depending on your present condition.

Take care!

[k_c_v]

Thank you Dr Vinod, your reply was very helpful.

Unfortunately the Dr I visited in the ER 5 days later failed entirely to request an x-ray, or even to refer me to someone that could.

There is "abnormalty" in both elbows. The left side has a lump above the point, (olecranon?).

The right side is still swollen, and the tricep muscle is visibly displaced. When I flex the tricep, some 'relocation' and slight pain can be felt.

So now that surgery has become necessary (I assume that you can't simply re-brake an elbow), what should be my expectations for prognosis? Can I reasonably expect to have full use of that elbow again, w/o pain etc?

And since it is still apparently not fully healed, I also assume sooner is better for treatment?

My primary challenge is I can't find a Dr who will treat this, having no income. A free clinic has offered an orthopedician, but thus far they've not returned contact for over a week.

I would also like sufficient medical information to attempt a lawsuit against the offending police office.

Thanks again... anonmh/k_c_v

[achilles2]

I am sorry about your pain and lack of help. If you are anywhere near a teaching hospital (Loyola, Northwestern, University of Chicago) I would try someone there. These hospitals typically have patient assistance.

[k_c_v]

(I am anonmh)

Thank you achilles. I play a lot of tennis, etc so I am sorry too, lol! I am going to try patient assistance at the Chicago Northshore Institute if I can get transportation up there.. My previously mentioned situation left me w/o a car.

Also, what would the surgery entail? Are they going to correct the actual bone displacement? Or will they be relocating soft tissue as a way to 'compensate'? Or something else entirely?

thanks again,
anonmh/k_c_v

[achilles2]

I do not know what the surgery would be I am not a doctor.

Good luck,

achilles2