"Dr refusing to remove tight plaster"

I broke my distal radius...it was a displaced fracture. My arm was xrayed prior to plaster.  My arm was plastered...I went home. 10 days later it was re xrayed to see if bones were still in place.

Orthopaedics Dr from another hospital  phoned, queried how I was progressing. I informed her of stinging sensation radiating up my left forearm.  She advised me to have plaster replaced at either their or Narrogin.

I went to Emergency Dpt at Narrogin..spoke with a Dr. The Dr refused to remove the plaster...questioned if it was a nurse or Dr I spoke with from the other hospital...the junior Dr there said it was a Dr...the Dr at Narrogin said it was in my notes.  I once again reiterated what the Dr at the other hospital told me...I said I was confused and it was conflicting information this dr was giving me. The dr just stated...I was there...I plastered your arm...it was a bad break and I am not prepared to remove plaster. I then asked if they could please at least cut back some of the plaster...it encroached almost to my second knuckles..my little finger was almost trapped under my ring finger and my thumb was almost fixed in place. My three fingers were like a claw. Reluctantly the Dr cut back plaster by about 1cm...they then bound my arm again...over the plaster with copious amounts of dressing.  Within a short period of time the pains began in my forearm...I barely slept...wherever I placed my arm the pain became excruciating.. I was taking a number of pain relief.

I made an appointment with my GP, he took one look and said plaster is too tight. Between my GP and his Nurse they removed plaster...my thumb was so painful...I could not move it...they were very mindful of this and slowly removed the old plaster. They were shocked to see my arm, the nurse said it was neglect and  to have left it so tight and I was fortunate not to have compartment syndrome.

My GP replaced plaster with a lighter fibreglass half cast...instructing me to contact if I felt any sensation of burning etc. It was instant relief..so grateful. The plaster is now removed and I am in week 5 of Physio. Problems with my thumb...quite painful.

I cannot understand why the Dr at Narrogin would not listen to a qualified Orthopaedics Dr..I felt they were quite arrogant....my outcome...thanks to my GP, prevented a very serious complication...I believe I could have lost my arm.  I am reporting this as I would hate for someone else to experience what I did. ED staff were helpful..to a point...I was initially in great pain and shock...offered 2 panadol at 7.30 in the morning...I asked for a blanket as I was freezing cold...Nobody checked how was going until I was triaged about 10 ish.

I was given to understand they were short staffed. An  emergency Caesarean came in when I was due for surgery...around 1.30...I fully understand priority cases...I have no complaints there. Thankyou for the opportunity to relate my story...