It might be bloated and expensive - for the tax payer if no one else - but the Japanese medical system can be a marvel and god-send when it works as efficiently as it did just now. The pain was getting a bit much so I went to the hospital where a friend works in the front office. The whole procedure from filling out the necessary forms for a new patient, to having 8 x-rays taken and being seen by a doctor to interpret the results, to paying the 4,300 yen (roughly US$37 or £25) for the examination took a little less than an hour. This is a Sunday! It would probably have taken longer on a weekday, but not bad at all methinks.
The diagnosis? No obvious breaks. Can't tell if the ligament has either been stretched or (god forbid) torn. Come back tomorrow to see a specialist.
Posted by Joe at November 9, 2003 08:28 PMWell, I have to say as I read this your back came to mind, and I'm glad it's not that.
I'd counter this example by saying that in the past I've been turned away from emergency rooms when the appropriate specialist is not on duty.
Posted by: DJ at November 10, 2003 06:12 AMIntermittent back problems have continued since that horrible day in Tokyo, but these footballing injuries are a bit different. Usually there is a break somewhere and recovery is even longer. I'm hoping the Doc. is going to give the all clear this morning.
Posted by: Joe at November 10, 2003 07:17 AM