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Original poster

Do I need to go to a&e?

129 replies

OuchThisReallyHurts · 26/10/2025 17:29

I was out walking my dog earlier today and fell over. I slipped going downhill on some soggy leaves. I smacked my left hip/buttock area quite heavily and also hit my knee on a rock. It now hurts in both hips to take a deep breath, it hurts to walk, I can’t sit comfortably and my knee is in quite constant pain. I’ve taken paracetamol and ibuprofen and they’ve not touched the sides of it. I’m quite worried I’ve done something significant

OP posts:
traintonowheretoday · 26/10/2025 19:17

given you walked home and are in your 20s and it was only earlier today then no I wouldn’t go and sit in a&e for 12 hours …Id dose up on the 500mg paracetamol with codeine and sleep it off but then again I have a fairly high pain threshold and am old enough to know it’s going to hurt before it gets better and to give it a day or two of rest (but then I’ve ploughed through from falls from horses and putting my back out barely able to walk as a single mum of 3)

TalulahJP · 26/10/2025 19:00

I’d phone them early then. Like 5 or 6am or whatever if you can’t sleep.
They can sort out a referral to minor injuries for an X-ray or whatever so they know you’re coming.

TheJustJoker · 26/10/2025 19:00

Mustbethat · 26/10/2025 17:45

it’s not the patients decision to get an xray.

it’s a good idea to be assessed, but the x-ray will depend on the clinical presentation and whether there’s an indication.

when I worked in a&e it was my bugbear when people used to rock up with “I’ve come for an x ray”. I always wondered what they’d do if I handed them the x-ray, job done. No assessment, no diagnosis.

Edited
Show quote history

Exactly! And the benefit of being exposed to radiation (I.e a diagnosis) must always outweigh that risk.

SwingTheMonkey · 26/10/2025 18:59

MarvellousMonsters · 26/10/2025 18:18

I would call 111 and see if they recommend getting checked. Are you alone? Is there someone who can drive you? And will you need someone to help out with your dog?

Why bother doing this, it’s a complete waste of time. She’s had an accident and is in severe pain. Who on earth is going to tell her she doesn’t need to be seen at a&e?

TheJustJoker · 26/10/2025 18:57

Get thee to the ED-that’s what it’s there for OP. Accidents. Or an MIU. Hopefully just bruised bone but fracture needs excluding.

lljkk · 26/10/2025 18:21

Get ready (pack a bag, plan how you'll pass the time) to go suddenly to hospital if you start to feel worse. I hope you start to feel much better soon.

MarvellousMonsters · 26/10/2025 18:18

I would call 111 and see if they recommend getting checked. Are you alone? Is there someone who can drive you? And will you need someone to help out with your dog?

Original poster
OuchThisReallyHurts · 26/10/2025 18:17

I think I'm tempted to wait until the morning at this point, I'm knackered and in pain and would need someone to come and sit with the dog

OP posts:
ThatsNotAKnife · 26/10/2025 18:17

Yes. Go and get it done this evening. As advised, charge phone, take cosy layers, something to read etc.

ToBethornottoBeththatistheUpton · 26/10/2025 18:16

Go to A&E. You have severe pain after a fall. That’s what A&E is for.

Cucy · 26/10/2025 18:13

Do you live alone?

If you’re in pain then of course go but personally if it was me I’d try and wait it out until morning.

There’s nothing worse than being tired and cold in A&E for hours.

But if you live alone then it’s worth going now as if it gets worse then it’ll be easier to move around/get there.

You’ll probably be worse in the morning due to swelling by not moving and so it will be hard to tell whether it’s because it’s getting worse or not.

Take your phone, charger, power bank, debit card, cash if you have any, bottle of water, snacks and a book. Also wear layers as it’s often really cold or really hot (also you can take a layer off and sit on it).
You can expect to spend at least 6 hours there.

Anditstartedagain · 26/10/2025 18:02

If you have a minor injuries with an open x ray I would go there.

PGmicstand · 26/10/2025 18:01

I'd say start with 111 online and see what that says.

I recently fell over (backwards) and hurt my back as well as my head. 111 told me to go to A&E, so I did. No 'proper' damage, but my muscles are still not quite right. I've since been checked over by the osteopath and they say it's mostly the result of the compensating I did when my back really hurt.

stichguru · 26/10/2025 18:00

I would go OP. You will probably need an xray to see what the damage is, so there's not much point calling 111 or waiting until morning and phoning your GP as they won't be able to see what the damage is. Good luck

Nelly91 · 26/10/2025 17:59

You could have broken a rib if you are finding it painful to breath in. I would go tonight if you can.

Lovemycat2023 · 26/10/2025 17:52

That sounds nasty OP - hope you’re getting checked out. It’s always such a shock when you fall over hard too.

gamerchick · 26/10/2025 17:50

Tbh id probably wait until morning and then go. At least you won't have to wait all night in those hard chairs.

But yeah you probably should.

SwingTheMonkey · 26/10/2025 17:50

It’s such a shame that people who have a genuine need for a&e like op are sitting at home questioning themselves rather than getting themselves seen.

TeaAndTattoos · 26/10/2025 17:48

You need to go and get checked out I only fell
over a tree root in the street and broke my wrist and snapped my radius in two had to have emergency surgery to fix my arm

cestlavielife · 26/10/2025 17:47

You ve had an accident so go to a and e

Mustbethat · 26/10/2025 17:45

sunshineandkindle · 26/10/2025 17:30

I'd probably get it xrayed to be on the safe side. Are you over 60? I ask because of greater risk of hip fracture due to osteoporosis

it’s not the patients decision to get an xray.

it’s a good idea to be assessed, but the x-ray will depend on the clinical presentation and whether there’s an indication.

when I worked in a&e it was my bugbear when people used to rock up with “I’ve come for an x ray”. I always wondered what they’d do if I handed them the x-ray, job done. No assessment, no diagnosis.

CatsorDogsrule · 26/10/2025 17:41

Yes, you should go. If in England, you could call 111 for advice instead, but A&E (or Minor Injuries) does sound appropriate.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 26/10/2025 17:41

I’d call 111 for advice.

Geranium879 · 26/10/2025 17:39

I would

FcukBreastCancer · 26/10/2025 17:35

Yes you need to go

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