DH away - need some adult advice on whether I should take DD's knee/leg to the minor injury unit tomorrow

[fettle]

Hi All

My DH is away and so I thought I see if anyone here can reassure me one way or the other....

DD twisted her knee running around at her gym class yesterday and said that her leg hurt. I sent her to school this morning tellling her teacher to keep an eye on her.

She's walking fine, can bend it completely, but says it hurts when she tries to straighten it. However, when not discussing it, she's jumping, running around as 5 yo do! And then says ooh my knee hurts. I had a look this evening and her whole leg is swollen compared with the other leg but not too much.

I phoned my GP surgery to try and make an appointment to see her doctor tomorrow, but they said to take her to the minor injury unit at the local hospital. I'm just not sure whether I should leave it for a couple of days with regular ibuprofen to see if it will settle down or whether I should take her tomorrow and miss school. She says it hurts about 5/10 so not too much.

What do any of you think? Are you a wait and see type of parent? Or should I take her to hospital tomorrow? I'm convinced they will just say it will get better in a couple of days, but just need some other people's thoughts! (DH is away until March, so I can't wait until he's home to ask him!!).

Thank you!

[luciemule]

I would take to the MIU as the GP would probably send her for an xray anyway. With children, always better to get it checked out. It might be a couple of hours waiting but at least you'll feel better knowing if it's ok.

[Wallace]

If she is running and jumping around then I think I would wait and see.

If it would give you peace of mind though then take her

[liath]

I'd see what it's like in the morning . If she has no pain and the leg doesn't look swollen then I'd wait and see for a bit.

[fettle]

Thank you! That's one for and one against and one wait and see!!! Bit like how I change my mind!!!

[luciemule]

If you've got nothing on (except school), then I'd rather check it out. Knees can be awful later in life and so if there's a chance she's damaged it, then better to take her for a couple o fhours now, then leave it and then it doesn't heal.

[fettle]

Thank you all - DD decided she wanted to have it checked out and considering she's almost phobic of going to the GP (in case she gets some horrid medicine again!), I thought it was obviously hurting her more than I was giving her credit for.

Very nice nurse at the MIU examined her and said it is just ligament strain and no contact sports until the pain has gone. Including running games in breaktimes - so thank goodness it is half-term next week! Trying to stop a 5 yo from running is going to be interesting!

Thanks again!

[Wallace]

Glad it is ok

I can't imagine how to stop a five year old from running!