Pelvic fractures

[Jamie345]

Hi there wonder if anyone can help me with abit of info regarding pelvic fractures the hospital called me yesterday to tell me that the pep scan I had 3 months ago that the team all went through all my varied test results to try work out why I was still in pain could not stand for more than five minutes and walking, I had called them 4 weeks ago asking for help as I could not understand why? Predisinone and pain killers did not help they told me I have multiple pelvic fractures and apologised that it was missed all those months ago and got me an appointment to see the rheumy on this coming Monday, all very strange and sudden what I need to know is how these fractures have occurred and anything else I can find out before I go on the 13th I also have an appointment with Dr R Hughes on the 14th privately that I made before all this which I am still going to as I was and do feel something was not right! Sorry this is turning into a manuscript!!!

[SheffieldJane]

This is really shocking Jamie and good cause for a formal complaint. You must be suffering so much. Anything I say would be hazarding guesses. I just want to wish you well. 🌼

[suzy1959]

Sorry to hear how you have been suffering. As you say- how did this happen and why wasn't it spotted earlier? I have heard of quite a few people who have not been believed when they have complained of pain and, as a consequence they have to suffer longer. If only we were believed and taken seriously!

I'm glad you are going to see Dr. Hughes ( I'm seeing him on 17th) but I am a bit curious that the reaction to your pelvic fractures is to arrange for you to see a Rheumy- is this the right specialist to deal with this??? Dr. Hughes will point you in the right direction if necessary. Let us know how you get on.

[Jamie345 in reply to suzy1959]

I decided on a second opinion and doctor rod Hughes highly recommended I saw him 14th August and he is I hope very good, he doubts I ever had polymyaglia or giant cell doing more test so hopefully it will be a good move as I'm now on his NHS list as well, going back after test are done 2/3 weeks I'm much better since I've reduced to 10mg but obviously not gone away whatever is wrong with me, quite a lot at present

[PMRpro Ambassador]

They can happen spontaneously believe it or not. Gaijin on the forum had something similar. I can't remember the details - but I'm sure she'll tell you.

They are called pelvic insufficiency fractures:

"Insufficiency fracture is a kind of stress fracture, which is caused by normal stress placed on weakened bone. Bone demineralization and decreased bone elastic resistance result from osteoporosis, previous radiotherapy, rheumatoid arthritis, prolonged corticosteroid therapy, and renal failure. Although they are rarely life-threatening, these fractures deserve special attention with respect to quality of life of each patient."

I know it sounds pathetic but reading a scan is usually done in the context of the presumed or queried diagnosis - and these sort of fractures are often very fine and not obvious, especially if there are other areas with much higher emissions around them. They would probaly not have paid close attention at the time unless "pelvic pain" had appeared on the notes. My husband had a CT done 5 years ago - and no-one at the time noticed that there were small white points all over the lung, a sign he has had TB in the past! In his case it didn't really make much difference but even so - they were there and the pulmonologist saw them immediately.

[Jamie345]

Thank you so much a lot of valuable information I had mentioned pelvic pain but the reason I was sent for that scan was they could not figure out why I'm in so much pain can't stand or walk for very long at all and they apologised that it was missed, but I always get a copy of the scans I've had but not for this one that was months ago I've requested yet still up until yesterday no sign at all not my GP has not had anything either that's strange to me but still what I want to know is what happens next how will they treat me to get better? That's all I want to think of, thank you again that had helped me regards