You were made to wait for an orthopedist to come in and relocate a simple
dislocation of your finger?? Wow!!
If you had no associated fracture(s) I would suggest you find another ED in
the future to visit!
Even beginning first year ED residents are trained to relocate a finger
dislocation, (unless there is associated fracture, vascular or nerve
deficit).
Unless there is an obvious associated injury, many of the more seasoned
practitioners will simply reduce it, then x-ray for small fractures, etc
that may not have been apparent on initial examination.
In view of all the liability issues however we no longer train the residents
to reduce the dislocation until AFTER they have obtained an x-ray, to avoid
potential litigation for fractures that the patient may claim they caused
when they reduced the dislocation. It's another example of defensive
medicine, which once again winds up hurting the patients. (literally in this
case!)
I have reduced dozens in the field over the years at various athletic events
(esp. baseball.. usually because the glove wasn't held correctly, or the
fingers weren't in proper position in the glove), then splinting then with
whatever I had available (Popsicle sticks work fine), before sending them in
to an ED for x-rays. It saves a lot of pain, as I am sure you can testify!
Happy ponding,
Greg


"zookeeper" wrote in message
...
Critical Popperian wrote:
The Big Dig Update: Roof, Filter, Thumb, Emergent Leaves
http://www.popperian.com/pond/page21.htm

Can honestly say I feel your pain, having suffered a partially
dislocated middle finger (envision it pointing backwards toward back of
hand instead of toward the palm -- ouch!!) trying to field a line drive
in baseball. Best part was (not!!) everyone insisted on it staying that
way until after drive to hospital, wait in ER waiting room, wait in ER
examining room, wait in x-ray department, wait for technician to read
x-ray, another wait in ER waiting and exam rooms, then wait for
orthopedic consult, before "snapping" it back into place. Actually the
best part was the almost complete relief of pain once it was back where
it belonged.

Hope you recover quickly. The roof and ponds look great.
--
zookeeper