My Wrist

I was at a loss of what to blog about next when my friend, Chit recommended that I update everyone on my wrist. For those who don't already know, I hurt my left wrist playing Ultimate Frisbee a few days before Halloween. I was running after someone and my legs got caught up with my friend who was on the other team and I fell hard on the pavement. I tried to soften the fall as best I could with my hands and even ninja rolled after the impact. After I got up though, I knew it wasn't going to be pretty but adrenaline was still flowing so we finished playing the game. After the game was over, the adrenaline wore off and I couldn't really move my wrist. After a visit to the ER, some x-rays, and a talk with the doctor, I was diagnosed with a "FOOSH" (fall on out-stretched hand) injury...aka a sprained wrist. They gave me a protective brace to wear for a few days to help immobilize the wrist to help it heal. Checking account: -$75...ouch...

Well about a week or two after that, the wrist was feeling much better considering how much it hurt originally. But it still wasn't quite right so I scheduled a visit with an orthopedic to take a closer look. He took some more x-rays and told me that he didn't see anything broken so it's probably just a sprained wrist. The wrist should continue to get better with more time. Checking account: -$20.

3 weeks later, I returned for a followup visit and the wrist was still bothering me. Another set of x-rays were taken and again I was told that there's probably nothing broken and that the wrist should get better with time. He said to call back for another appointment if the wrist is still bothering me after 6 weeks. That's 2 weeks from today. Checking account: -$20. Sigh.

So that brings us to today. It's been nearly 2 and a half months since the fall and my wrist still hasn't completely healed. It really doesn't bother me most of the time. I could probably still play Ultimate Frisbee right now if it wasn't so cold outside. Anyways, just when I think it's healed, I do something routine and get reminded that it's still injured.

In years past, whenever I went to the orthopedic, they'd order up an MRI. Then I'd get to nap on a table for an hour, and then find out what's wrong with me a week later. Instead, health insurance companies are making it nearly impossible to get these kinds of diagnostic services performed without jumping through hoops. Why? It hurts their profits. Every time an MRI is prescribed, they have to pay for them. Some doctors over-prescribe these services. Some doctors are "persuaded" to refer as many patients as they can to certain MRI centers which overcharge bill the insurance companies and in return get some kickbacks. Health insurance companies won't pay for MRIs unless they feel they are absolutely necessary. I get that. They are a business after all. I'm shaking my fist at them but I used the hand that hurts...