"Missed diagnosis"

I fell badly on my outstretched arm and knew instantly that something wasn’t right. I attended ED and was eventually X-Rayed, after which I recall a doctor told me there was no fracture and that I could be on my way.

I had to ask for a sling, as I couldn’t move my arm much at all, and they gave me what I felt was a flimsy square cloth that they tied a knot in at my neck, which I felt was as useless as it was painful. I was told I could take Paracetamol and Ibuprofen but that no other pain medication would be needed, and that I should be sure to keep moving my arm to begin rehabilitation ASAP.

Having been in pain and with limited movement in my arm, my GP sent me for another X-ray and ultrasound, and I understand it was immediately obvious there was a fracture, with a piece of bone loose, as well as a clear depression in my shoulder bone where it had been temporarily dislocated.

I am now waiting to see a surgeon and desperately hoping that the two weeks spent exercising an arm, that I understand should have been immobilised, hasn’t caused additional long-lasting damage. I have no medical training at all, but I cannot see how a fracture that was immediately obvious to me was missed and I have lost two weeks during which I have done unknown further damage.

Whilst I was waiting for my initial X-ray, another patient who I believe had been left for 3+ hours in the waiting room with a fingertip they had sliced off was taken to have an X-ray. I understand this had to convince them to recheck their files as it seemed they couldn’t understand why a flesh wound needed an X-ray, and eventually I believe they realised they had the wrong patient.