Ask a doctor on the topic of Surgery

knee

May 21, 2015 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ive Dr. Schaaf

Hello.

I had a car accident on Monday where someone rear-ended my stationary car (I had to stop because the car in front of me was turning). On Tuesday I went to the doctor because I had back and knee pain. The knee was operated on three years ago. I was prescribed ibuprofen 600. I still have very strong pain in my knee. I wake up at night from the pain and walking and climbing stairs are a nightmare. I called the doctor this morning and was told that the earliest appointment I could get is on Tuesday, they can't do anything before that. According to the doctor on Tuesday, if I have pain, I should come in. The doctor said that the bursa in the knee may have been injured.

Now my question is, can they refuse to treat me? I have a sick note until tomorrow, but I can't just take painkillers and have no one look at it. In my opinion, the knee is also swollen.

Thank you very much.

Dr. med. Ive Dr. Schaaf

Hello,
if you are normally insured, no one can refuse to see you today. Neither the general practitioner, nor a specialist, nor the hospital. For your peace of mind, it is relatively normal for pain to increase in the first two days after a bruise and not to decrease. Improvement can only be expected from the third day onwards. However, you are welcome to be seen today and I think it is the right thing to do. It would be best for someone who is experienced in knee examinations to take a look at your knee. I cannot judge if your general practitioner is the right person for this. You may be better off with a specialist, such as a surgeon or orthopedist. They can then decide if an X-ray is necessary, assess if the bursa is involved, and determine if further diagnostic measures are needed.
Kind regards.