X rays

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Bionic Boy

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To cut a long story short I have had to have x rays done on my boy twice now for exactly the same thing (fractured elbow), once in January and once in March. In the January visit they done the x rays and used 1 plate in March however they done the x rays and used 5 plates.

Before I get on my soapbox about it can anyone tell me why they would need to use so many extra plates?
 
One plate is unlikely to be diagnostic as a fracture may be visible from one angle but not the other. Normally two are taken at 90 degrees to each other and sometimes a third for an oblique view. They may have had to repeat views if the image wasn't good enough to diagnose a fracture or not. Maybe the horse moved so it was blurry or they saw something they needed to see at a diff angle. Best to ask your vet.
 
Thanks. I have asked the question to the vet and I am waiting for them to come back to me but want to get an idea of if I am being unreasonable or not.

He fractured his elbow last October so it was not a case of diagnosing a fracture, he has got a plate and 14 screws holding it altogether now so both the x rays in January and March were to see how the fracture is knitting together. He was sedated (very well) so was not moving.

I guess my issue is that they only used one plate the first time round and used so many more the second time round, if that is due to the competence of the vet I don’t see that as my problem yet it makes a difference of about £100 to me.
 
It's v unlikely they only used one plate the previous time(were you there or just billed for one?) a number of radiographs are usually required for a normal series - at least 2. In cases where a plate has been placed many oblique X-rays may be necessary to evaluate the bone/fracture as obviously pins and plates cannot be seen through on x ray so must be viewed at many different oblique angles.
 
I was there and from what I can see from my previous bill there is a plate included in the standard x ray fee and then I was charged for 1 extra plate, this time round I was charged for 5 extra plates.
 
Then I assume from your previous post if was a post op check. Is this the final x ray check? If so then I'd say they want to be sure that the fracture has completely healed. Why not ring and ask what they wre for?
 
Both visits I am talking about were post op x rays, this won't be the last one as there will be another one in a couple of months time. I have spoken to the vets last Monday and I am still waiting for a call back to explain.

I'm sure there is a valid reason for the difference I just cannot see it.
 
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