Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mhills]

So.......

I fell down a few weeks ago and broke my hand. The second metacarpal on the right hand. So I went to Yeung Nam University hosipital to get it fixed. They said I needed an operation to fix it, 2 K-wires. Then I had to stay in hospital for 5 days, the food was terrible.

Also the K-wires are doing something to a nerve so I have lost some feeling in the back of my hand.

After this I was to go to a clinic and get the wound treated, cleaning and such. So I went to a clinic in Ji-San Dong, nice doctor with a bit of English. He runs a Fatama Surgical Clinic. He says that I don't need the full arm cast, and that a splint will do. So off comes the green full arm cast 2 weeks after the break. And on goes a splint with bandage. Doctor says that when the K-wires are removed that the nerve damge will heal, thank god.

So he managers the wound for 2 weeks. Then he says that I have to come back on Friday 8th and he will remove the splint and then 2 weeks later he will remove the K-wires. I am very happy with this. He tells me that the bone and wound are both healing well (x-rays were used).

So had an appointment back at Yeung Hospital today, Thursday the 7th. There I am, feeling that all is going well, see the doctor and the dude goes nuts at me. "Why have you taken the cast off??" "Who said you could do that??" " You will cause serious damage to your hand".

WTF........ so he starts blaming me for this and going off at my wife (Korean). He is telling us that we are foolish and he is the doctor that did the operation, so he knows what he is talking about. All the while waving his hand at the 2 monitors behind him, with x-rays on them.

So I am a bit stressed about this, no one yells at my wife and calls me stupid. So I ask him about the hand. He says I have done more damage. Then I notice the x-rays, first there are no wires and that it is a left hand. So I tell him, and he then blames me for getting x-rays of the wrong hand. WTF......

I tell him I got the right hand x-rayed and then he checks the file...... different person. Finally finds my x-rays and says, " it is mending well".
So I ask him about the wires and possible nerve damage...... no reply. Ask him when the wires can come out... 18 months. Then he sends me out to get a short arm cast, and come back in 2 weeks.

So tomorrow, Friday, I have to see my clinic doctor. What is he going to say. When I first told him that I went to Yeung Nam Hospital he laughed. So now I am in a tug of war with 2 doctors. Who is right??? Who is full of Sh%t??

So..... any advice would be great......

thanks.

M

[Dazed and Confused]

I had similar experience with my hand last year. First I went to a small orthpeodic hospital because I though it wasn't serious but after the doctor talked of surgery I told him I would just go to my regualr orthopeodist at a local large hospital I always go to. The second doctor said I could try a splint for a week and then we'd talk about surgery. Everything healed up fine and I'm good as new. Although two of my fingers are slightly closer together than before. I guess this is normal for broken bones. They just never heal together exactly as they were before. I just guess it is difference of opinion and training on the part of the doctor and how each sees the best options for your case. I have found that a second opinion is always a good idea no matter where you are.
Sorry to hear you're back in a cast.