No sign of fracture on xray (3 years later)

[shivvy]

I was in a car crash 3 years ago and (among other injuries) I was told I had a fractured coccyx. I am now at the stage of finalising a claim for my injuries and was sent for an xray of my coccyx.
However I am completely astonished that the report has come back saying that there is no evidence of a fracture. I really can't believe it.
It was constantly painful for over a year, then intermittant for another year, and it is still painful now if irritated eg sitting for over an hour on low seats.

Why would it not have shown up on an xray, and if it wasn't fractured then what was causing me all the pain for so long?

[Sqad]

Even if it was well healed and even after 3 years, there would be X-Ray appearances of an "old fracture."

X-Ray has come back normal......so you didn't have a fracture 3 years ago.

Why are you having symptoms?

There may well be a musculo-skeketal problem which may have many causes without there being an old fracture.

Google Coccydynia....this will give you some idea of other causes.

[HowardKennitby]

I can't comment on any medical matter.
How originally were you diagnosed with a fracture? Surely there was an X-ray taken then.

[shivvy]

I have googled it Sqad but nothing else makes sense.
I had absolutely no pain in that area until the minute of the crash. It was instant - in fact I remember telling the paramedics who were getting me onto the board that the majority of my pain was in my bum.

[Mamyalynne]

Who told you it was fractured and what evidence did they have for that??

[shivvy]

Howard - I don't remember exactly but I think I was told in the hospital that 'there was evidence of a fracture' to my coccyx. My GP has referred to it as a fracture since the crash too.

[Brinjal]

Some years ago I fell off a horse and landed square on my behind. I stretch the tendon that joins the coccyx to the spine. No actual fracture but it was painful for a very long time. Could that be the problem or did X-rays at the time show an actual fracture.

[Canary42]

The fact that the GP said it was a fracture means it probably wasn't - most GPs are quacks in my experience.

[Sqad]

The expert witness on your behalf will ask your GP for his notes which will be scrutinised...i.e notes from A&E.

Because there was no fracture will not invalidate your claim and a good medical expert will put that point to the opposing solicitor......providing of course that there is no mention of pain in that area predating the date of your accident.

[shivvy]

I have dug out the notes I have from the hospital which say that "her lateral coccygeal region is suspicious for a healing fracture in that area".

[shivvy]

Thanks Sqad although to be honest I don't much care about the claim.

I am just so fed up with all the various injuries that I received that I desperately just wish it had never happened in the first place.

I was in tears today when I read the report.
If it was never fractured then why wasn't I offered some other treatment that might have prevented me from being so sore and so restricted for so long?

[Sqad]

shivvy....whether fractured or not...the treatment would have been the same. Not having a fracture will not devalue your claim.

[shivvy]

To be honest I think it also upset me because it isnt pleasant persuing a personal injury claim. No doubt medics are on the look out for people lying so it feels as if you have to justify yourself all the time. I just presumed that the medical evidence would back up my account of things so was shocked to say the least when I found out today that it didn't.
I don't like the thought of people thinking I am 'spoofing'.

[Nini74]

nobody will think you're lying or exaggerating, don't worry. the medical report will still be able to confirm that you have suffered pain and discomfort in that area since the accident, even if no fracture is seen on the x-ray. I went to the GP about a similar problem a couple of years ago - was given painkillers, told I'd probably either fractured or dislocated my coccyx and told that I could have physio if it didn't imrove in time. He said no point in an x-ray as can't exactly put a cast on it..... don't worry about your claim though - the solicitors and consultants are experts and will be well aware of people being advised, or having the belief that they have suffered a specific injury when the later medical tests show that that's not quite the case. Speak to your solicitor about it tomorow and explain your concerns - if they're worth their salt they'll be able to reassure you xx

[shivvy]

Thanks Nini. I have spoken to my solicitor who did indeed reassure me.