Chockstone Forum

      Sponsored By
      ROCK
   HARDWARE

Chockstone Photography

Australian Landscape Prints

Chockstone Forum - Accidents & Injuries

Report Accidents and Injuries

Topic Date User

Not Mallet finger but........ 9-Feb-2011 At 7:51:38 PM cogsy

Message

On 9/02/2011 The good Dr wrote:
>Go to see the specialist, GPs are not trained in treating sports injuries
>and should refer you to a specialist

This really is quite a generalization. A lot of GPs ARE trained to treat sports injuries, especially those who take an interest in the area, or do further study in the area. Saying that, your injury sounds reasonably specific, and I suspect not many GPs would be able to help you with this one. I suspect even a majority of sports physicians might be referring you on to either a Hand surgeon with a sporting interest, or to a hand physio.
If you're interested in seeing a GP about sports injuries, I suggest you ask around to find one who is interested in them.
Most of my work as a GP is with elderly people with heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and the like, or childhood diseases and mental illness. It's unusual to have a lot of experience with young adults and "milder" conditions, but you'll certainly find GPs who do, especially in Sydney and Melbourne.

Certainly most GPs will be willing to do some initial investigations for you, such as an xray and perhaps an ultrasound (if you have a soft tissue lump). MRIs usually have to be referred by specialists, however several radiology clinics offer private referral (ie GP) MRIs for $250, which is not much different to the "gap" you will have to pay if a specialist refers you!!