Well, this situation just keeps getting worse and worse. Here's a quick update from the ER visit. I'll try to make this short 'cause I need to get some sleep:
It seems he does not have a simple fracture, he has a compound fracture. His bone about 8 inches above his ankle has a spiral fracture, it's broken all the way through and displaced. He also has what looks like a more minor fracture about 4 inches below his knee. The big break is on his tibia, the small fracture is on his fibula.
Everyone in the ER - dr., nurse, nurse practitioner, radiologist, etc. all said he should have had this treated by now and he will most likely need surgery. The ER doc. said if he had come into the hospital with this injury fresh, they would not have let him leave. He would have seen an ortho specialist there and probably been scheduled for surgery w/in a couple of days.
They were all shocked and disgusted he had gone so long without 1)paid meds and 2)further treatment.
They referred him to a local orthopedic specialist and told him he needed to start calling that office at 8am and don't worry about work comp and their insurance. That will get worked out later. They told him not to eat anything after midnight in case the dr. wanted to do surgery tomorrow. That's how serious this is.
They gave him a shot of demerol and a prescription for percocet. He is in lala land now.
**NODOGNOW: I can't thank you enough for all of your advice. I would not have taken him to the ER today if you had not urged me to do so and I am so glad I did. I took pictures of his leg, looked at the x-rays myself and made sure I got copies of the doctor's notes and I will continue to do the same every step along the way.
Thanks, also to everyone else. You gave such great advice and your support through this whole thing is absolutely priceless. I'll post pix of his ugly leg tomorrow.
I'm so sorry this thread has nothing to do with dogs, but you guys are really invaluable to me.
Jeanne
