X-ray, Orthopedics FAQ

Understanding Healing Time After Fifth Metatarsal Surgery

Healing time after fifth metatarsal surgery? Hello Doctor, I sustained a fracture of the fifth metatarsal while playing soccer on October 15, 2020. The doctor provided me with a foot brace, but due to work-related activities, I had to move around for a month after the injury, and...

Dr. Zhan Xian Reply:
Hello Mr. Hogan, the improvement of symptoms is a positive sign, but whether healing has occurred will require follow-up in the outpatient clinic.

Understanding Tailbone Pain: Recovery Time and Treatment Options

I fell hard off a chair last week? Hello, doctor. I injured my coccyx almost two weeks ago and have visited two clinics. Both said that the pain would last for a month and did not take X-rays. When I asked the second doctor if it could be a fracture or a bone issue, he replied th...

Dr. Zhan Xian Reply:
Hello, if the pain does not improve, please visit the orthopedic outpatient clinic.

Understanding Fourth Toe Fractures: Healing, Pain, and Recovery Insights

Fourth toe fracture with slight displacement? Hello, Doctor. I apologize for bothering you. I thought I had a minor sprain on October 20, but after an X-ray on November 6, I discovered a fracture and began conservative treatment. Here is the X-ray showing a small displacement fra...

Dr. Chen Bochen Reply:
1. The assessment of whether a fracture has healed should be based on clinical symptoms, not solely on X-rays. From the single angle you provided, it appears to be healed (but X-rays should not be interpreted from just one angle). 2. Your attending physician has indicated that y...

Understanding Recovery from Distal Toe Fractures: Key Questions Answered

Fracture of the distal phalanges of the right foot, toes 2 to 4? Hello, I sustained an injury to my toes on January 7th when a heavy table fell on them, resulting in fractures of the distal phalanges of toes 2 to 4. The toenail on toe 2 has fallen off, and the toenail on toe 3 is...

Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
1. You can start walking in about two to four weeks without the need for assistive devices. An X-ray can be taken again one month after the fracture. 2. Surgery for pinning is not required. 3. Rehabilitation is not necessary. 4. You should be able to return to work in appro...

Post-Fracture Surgery Concerns: Bone Healing and Pin Removal

Postoperative care related to fractures? Hello, doctor. I underwent surgery for a metacarpal and finger fracture at the end of December 2020. About four weeks post-surgery, X-rays show that the bone has not yet healed. Is it normal for the bone not to have healed after four weeks...

Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Fractures of the metacarpals and phalanges typically show signs of primary callus formation around four weeks post-injury, indicating a significant level of stability. At that point, it is possible to remove the bone screws; however, it is also acceptable to wait until the bone h...

Understanding Rib Pain: Causes and Recovery Time for Inflammation

Pain upon palpation of the right rib cage? About two weeks ago, I started feeling pain when pressing on the tip of one of my lower right ribs. There is no significant pain when pressing on the ribs above and below it. In the past month, I haven't experienced any trauma or in...

Dr. Chen Bochen Reply:
Based on your symptom description, costochondritis is one of the more likely diagnoses. The pain typically lasts for 3 to 8 weeks or longer. Using topical ointments or patches for a period of time can help improve symptoms, but it may take some time to see gradual effectiveness. ...

Ankle Fracture: Surgery or Conservative Treatment? Your Recovery Guide

Ankle fracture Last Saturday, I sprained my ankle and first went for acupuncture at a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. The next day, I went to the local hospital's emergency department for an X-ray, which confirmed two bone fractures that required a removable cast for st...

Dr. Chen Bochen Reply:
Hello, the need for surgery should be determined based on the "degree of displacement" observed in the X-ray and whether the joint is symmetrical. If the displacement is greater than 2-5 mm or if there is asymmetry in the ankle joint, surgery is recommended. If surgery ...

Understanding Sacral Fractures and Disc Narrowing After Trauma

Decreased curvature of the sacrococcygeal region, S3 fracture, L5/S1 disc space narrowing, and pubic symphysis diastasis? Dear Dr. Zhan, Thank you very much for your response. It has been 20 days since the car accident on December 28, 2020. Two days after the incident, I underwe...

Dr. Zhan Xian Reply:
Mr. Bruce, if the pubic symphysis is separated by 1.8 cm and the pelvic structure is stable, conservative treatment is possible. Your injury requires time to heal, so please take a gradual approach and do not rush. Walking too much at the beginning may actually hinder bone healin...

Understanding Tarlov Cysts: Symptoms, Risks, and Treatment Options

Tarlov cysts are perineural cysts located in the sacral region? Hello! For the past three months, I have been experiencing a feeling of heaviness and weakness in my legs, particularly in my calves. My left calf and the soles of my feet often feel numb, and I also experience inter...

Dr. Chen Yongxue Reply:
Hello, Tarlov cysts and herniated discs have similar symptoms, but they can be differentiated through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thank you.

Discrepancies in X-Ray Results: Understanding Your Orthopedic Diagnosis

X-ray issues I would like to ask why, after sustaining an injury, I went to a large hospital's emergency department for an X-ray, which revealed a fracture of the fifth metatarsal. At that moment, I took a photo with my phone. A month later, during a follow-up appointment, t...

Dr. Chen Yongxue Reply:
Hello, regarding the fifth metatarsal fracture, if there is displacement, surgical treatment should be considered. As for the difference between the X-ray images from the hospital and what you see on your phone, it may be due to the different angles at which the X-rays were taken...

Patellar Fracture: Do I Need Surgery or Just a Cast?

Patellar fracture Hello, doctor. I fell on January 6 and fractured my patella into two pieces. The doctor mentioned surgery to insert screws and wires for fixation, but also suggested the option of using a cast for a month. I would like to opt for surgery and return for a follow-...

Dr. Chen Bochen Reply:
Whether surgery is needed should primarily be determined by X-rays! Just reducing swelling does not mean surgery is unnecessary. If there is a displaced patellar fracture, it is advisable to proceed with surgical repair; otherwise, it may lead to knee weakness and premature degen...

Understanding Sacral and Lumbar Injuries: Treatment Options After a Car Accident

Decreased sacral and coccygeal curvature, S3 fracture, L5/S1 disc space narrowing, pubic symphysis diastasis? Dear Dr. Zhan, I am currently working in Southeast Asia and had a car accident two weeks ago, resulting in ruptures of my liver and spleen. I underwent transarterial emb...

Dr. Zhan Xian Reply:
Hello Mr. Bruce, whether surgical treatment for the pelvis is necessary mainly depends on the stability of the pelvic fracture. Since we only have a written report without imaging, it is difficult to assess the extent of the pubic symphysis separation and whether there is any dis...

Understanding Shoulder Pain: Causes and Treatment After a Fall

Shoulder pain Doctor, I would like to ask about an incident on December 1st. It was a rainy day, and I slipped while riding my bike and fell, injuring the area around my left shoulder. I went to a clinic for an X-ray, and it showed no bone injuries. However, a few days later, I e...

Dr. You Dianqi Reply:
Hello, there are many possible reasons. You only had an X-ray which showed no fractures, but there could still be various soft tissue issues. I recommend that you return to the hospital for further examination. Thank you.

Three Months Post-Surgery: Concerns About Bone Healing Progress

Three months post-surgery, the bone healing does not seem to be ideal? It has been three months since my surgery, and is it normal that my ankle and foot are still not completely reduced in swelling? During each follow-up appointment, the doctor seems to indicate that the healing...

Dr. Chen Bochen Reply:
1. Sun exposure for half an hour daily (between 10 AM and 3 PM). 2. Static strength training (apply force with the entire leg for 15 seconds, alternating between legs). 3. Absolutely no smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. 4. Reduce consumption of sugary foods and bever...

Is Swelling and Pain Normal After a Wrist Fracture Recovery?

Four months after a car accident, the wrist fracture is still swollen, and it hurts when the weather is cold? Four months after a wrist fracture, the fractured area is still swollen, and there is occasional pain, especially in cold weather or at night. Sometimes the pain radiates...

Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Once a fracture has healed, it typically should not cause any pain. If there is still swelling and pain, it may be necessary to get an X-ray to check if the fracture has completely healed. Generally, a distal radius fracture takes about three to six months to heal.

How Long After Foot Surgery Can You Walk Normally Again?

How many months after a fracture surgery can one walk normally? Hello Doctor, I fractured my right foot's fourth toe while playing basketball on November 12 this year. I underwent surgery on November 17 to fix it with a steel pin, and the pin was removed on December 16. Howe...

Dr. Chen Bochen Reply:
1. Since the university entrance exam is on January 23, I would like to know if I will be able to walk normally by then. >> Generally, it should be possible, but a definitive assessment can only be made based on X-rays. 2. Will I still need to use crutches to walk at that...

Understanding Spinal Tumor Surgery Risks and Success Rates: What to Expect

What are the issues related to spinal tumors? What are the risks associated with surgery? Around the end of April this year, I suddenly experienced lower back pain. However, after resting for a few days, the pain subsided, so I didn't pay much attention to it. In July, while...

Dr. Chen Yongxue Reply:
Hello, I would like to understand how surgical success and failure are defined in medicine. Success is defined as complete tumor removal, no nerve damage, no infection, and secure implantation. Also, could my attending physician be negligent and let a student perform the surgery?...

Can a Dislocated Elbow Reoccur After Being Casted?

Will there be another dislocation after having a cast applied? After having a cast applied, is it possible to dislocate the joint again? I dislocated my right elbow in a car accident yesterday. Initially, the bone was protruding significantly, and the doctor at Mackay Memorial Ho...

Dr. Chen Yongxue Reply:
Hello, in the case of an elbow dislocation, generally, after reduction, simple splinting is sufficient to reduce swelling. However, if the injury is severe or accompanied by ligament damage, it can lead to joint instability. Even with the protection of a cast, it may not be able ...

Understanding Coccyx Pain After Exercise: Causes and When to Seek Help

Coccydynia after exercise? Hello Doctor: I haven't exercised for a long time, and yesterday I went to the gym to work out. I did sit-ups, lying flat with my legs raised and lowered without letting my feet touch the ground, which is an abdominal muscle workout. However, when ...

Dr. Chen Bochen Reply:
1) Should I go to an orthopedic specialist for an X-ray? No, bones do not spontaneously dislocate due to minor exertion; the human body is not that fragile. 2) Could this soreness be due to a muscle strain, specifically because of its location at the coccyx? The coccyx has many...

Understanding Tibial Fractures: Treatment, Surgery, and Growth Concerns

Tibial fracture Hello: My daughter suffered a tibial fracture in a car accident on September 5, 2018. She underwent surgery at that time, where a steel plate was used for fixation. The plate was removed the following July, and upon further observation, it was discovered that she ...

Dr. Wang Shouji Reply:
Hello, if a pediatric fracture affects the growth plate, it can sometimes lead to asymmetrical growth. In such cases, it is necessary to suppress the growth on one side to prevent increasing deformity and to correct the malalignment. We will only know if there is still a leg leng...

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