Last week I told of my trip to the Fracture clinic at East Surrey Hospital and speculated about going private since their response was so limited. Since then my efforts to go private have been hampered by both me and potential consultants being away next week meaning I won’t be able to see anyone until Thursday 14th August!

This scenario has coincided with a significant increase in discomfort since midweek, to the extent that a 4 hour car journey tomorrow is not appealing. So, yesterday I went back to my GP who arranged another visit to the Fracture clinic at short notice and this morning saw me make another trek over to Redhill.

What a difference a week makes. Despite being much busier I was seen by someone who was keen to investigate my injury properly and explain it to me, which was exactly what I wanted last week. As a result, I’ve now been re X-rayed which has confirmed that I haven’t got any further bone injury beyond the initial break.

The cause of the increasing pain is a combination of compressed and traumatised rotator cuff muscles and increasing stiffness in the shoulder joint and neck/arm muscles. I’ve been advised to move the joint as I can but keep clear of physio until after my next appointment in 4 weeks time when they can check the joint action more fully. And the consultant is pretty confidant I’ll get full movement back in time, all of which has left me feeling much happier.

I guess that ultimately it’s the individuals you encounter rather than a particular system that really counts. I’ll still use the private option as getting different viewpoints can only help and consistent physio is going to be better than the limited National Health offerings, but on the basis of today I feel much more relaxed.

Now I’ve just got to deal with the fact that I’m going on holiday next week to the Peak District and won’t be able to ride…