extreme pain after tibial plateau fracture

[GoodbyeBadKitty]

my boyfriend suffered a really bad fracture of the tibial plateau a little less than 2 weeks ago.  He is awaiting surgery, which is scheduled for about 10 days from now.  he is in EXTREME pain and the surgeon only gave him a handful of pain meds to last him until then.  he's tried taking every OTC pain med there is under the sun and nothing can stop him from crying and screaming in agony.  we've been to the ER about 8 times now at 3 different hospitals and no one will help him.  what should we do??  i keep trying to convince him to let me take him to the ER again and maybe they can give him enuff pain meds to last him until his surgery.  someone please help us!!!

[ScarletK824]

Unbelievable! These "wish I was a medical providers" people are making your boyfriend go through unbelievable pain. OTC pain killers till you get your surgery? I had a tibia plateau fracture and I know there are different types and situations, but I have reviewed these and cannot in no situation having to wait that long for that surgery! What are you going to do after you have surgery. Take two Aleve and call me in the mornin'?

Change to a new surgeon and get new x-rays.

I'm missing something here as I read this thread and I must be losing it. It is December 6th, 2011 and I broke mine February 14, 2011 then on November 14, 2011 I had the hardware (1 plate and 7 out of 9 screws) removed.The next evening I fell and ripped out half the stiches that was from removing the hardware. The next morning they steir stripped the 6 inch long and 1 inch wide tear. I had to have the hardware removed because it was too close to my shin and looked like a large shin splint, not to mention, painful. That part of my leg feels great now. Just waiting for the tear to heal.

Take care. I feel sorry for you.

Do yourself and find an ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON that knows what he is doing. OR provide more info that makes me look retarded.

[Tuckamore]

Hello and Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am so sorry to hear about the acute untreated pain your BF is experiencing.

Does he have a PCP? If so that may be his best choice. He should consider locating a PCP if he doesn't have one. These are the times that your PCP can be your best advocate.

If not he should contact his surgeon again and explain the severity of his pain. If the surgeon is unwilling to adequately control his pain he may want to consider another surgeon. If he is being treated so poorly now, how wil the surgeon treat him and his pain during and after the surgery? It would be concerning to me.

And yes returning to ER is a possibility. However I would not expect them to provide you with enough medications to last 10 days. They usually do not operate in that manner. However they should provide him short term pain releif which may be enough to get him through until he can appeal to his surgeon or get a new surgeon.

Please let us know how he is doing. I will look forward to your updates. He is fortunate to have you and your concern. My best to you both.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[jamlws]

I agree if he hasn't called his surgeon again I would. and if he has something else has to be done, do you guys have a urgant care? If so try there. There is no way someone in that much pain can live like that.
Best of luck,
Jamie

[Sarajmt]

Hi!  This sounds just awful!  He needs help.  Have you called his surgeon or the doctor who diagnosed the fracture?  If not, try that.  If that doesn't help, then yes, take him to the er.  If he gives you trouble, just drag him there!  Just kidding on that last one!

Good luck and check back for more and better answers later.

Sara