"Physio Experience at the Plastics Clinic."

After fracturing my right 2nd metacarpal on and attending Emergency, I was recently referred to the RPH Plastics Clinic. I was sent to the Physio Department where I saw a staff member. This staff member put my index & neighbouring finger in a buddy strap as directed by the doctor. They taped my 2 fingers together with sticky lycra tape. She did not put a piece of gauze or anything between my 2 fingers so it was skin on skin. I subsequently suffered pressure sores in one place on each finger where the skin was rubbing. It was like this for a week & I experienced an uncomfortable burning sensation throughout the week. Due to loss of confidence in the whole process - not just the physio department, I chose to seek a second opinion privately. Anyhow, surgery was performed and I attended the Hand & Upper Limb Clinic (HULC). The Occupational Therapists there sewed me a 'buddy sock' for my fingers rather than strapping my fingers together. This meant that I did not suffer pressure sores as there was fabric between my 2 fingers this time. At RPH, I noticed a sewing machine so I am annoyed that the staff member there did not use this and sew a proper buddy sock which would have avoided the pressure sores I suffered. Also, the splint that she put on me was roughly cut so the plastic dug into my skin up my arm & hand. Again, at the HULC, the staff there would ensure rounded edges on their splints - taking the extra time to fold the edges over to create a rounded edge rather than cutting the thermo-plastic & leaving as is. I wish the staff member RPH had spent the extra 2 minutes to do this also. Thank you for passing my comments on for the benefit of future patients.