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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To call in sick?

525 replies

iminpain · 09/09/2026 07:50

I’m on my first day back at work after 10 days annual leave.

I was walking down the road this morning when I rolled my ankle and fell, I have horrific grazes on my knee and elbow, and my ankle is swelling up hugely and is painful even at rest.

AIBU to turn up, explain what’s happened and go home? When I’m cleaned up I could probably work but I’m in so much pain at the moment I feel sick, I have two fresh grazes that are about to bleed through my clothes and I don’t know whether the adrenaline carried me to the bus or if I can walk.

OP posts:
Original poster
iminpain · 09/09/2026 18:21

JoshLymanSwagger · 09/09/2026 17:59

Can you get an appt with the GP - then get referred to the fracture clinic for a follow-up?

You can't walk on that!

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I don’t think so!

it’s gone a very impressive colour tonight 😬

OP posts:
katgab · 09/09/2026 18:18

iminpain · 09/09/2026 15:30

Argh! He didn’t mention not driving so I’m hoping it’s okay?

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I’m sorry to hear about your ankle. I fractured mine 3 years ago when I tripped landed on my bottom but my ankle was at a strange angle. It was very painful and swollen. I was given a boot to support but had to rest with my leg elevated for a couple of weeks and no driving for 6 weeks even an automatic, which is what I drive.

Please check your insurance as it might not be valid in these circumstances.

I hope your ankle heals well.

Lifeomars · 09/09/2026 18:15

thicklysettled · 09/09/2026 15:05

Truthfully, I think you need to pull yourself together and get on with your day. Have a cup of tea and a paracetamol. And move on.

i take it you haven't read the updates, the OP has been diagnosed with a fracture and told to rest for 4 weeks. I do hope you aren't an HCP with that attitude. Try a bit of empathy. I had a badly sprained ankle a few years ago, it was agony, I needed prescription painkillers and was immobile for several days and left with a weakened ankle. Don't think paracemtemol and pulling myself together would have done the trick

hourglass2 · 09/09/2026 18:12

iminpain · 09/09/2026 17:21

No, nothing. I was told to use crutches if I felt like i need them but that’s about it

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TBH not a great deal is done for fractures these days, unless it's really complicated like bones that need pinning or something you're just left to get on with with it, I broke my 4th and 5th metatarsal I was given a boot and told to rest it when I could, I was given a leaflet from the fracture clinic but didn't see anyone from there, it healed very quickly, your employer will have to make adjustments but if shouldn't be too bad if you have a desk job, (my job was standing for hours on end) just the transport to and from work could be tricky,

ArabellaScott · 09/09/2026 18:09
  • although it might be 'uncomfortable '. That's an NHS uncomfortable.
HumbleStumble · 09/09/2026 18:09

Washingupdone · 09/09/2026 13:51

If the doctor/nurse writes a sick note have then add that because of the delay in being treated, time off will be longer than if you had been medically seen earlier.

Lol. No they won't write that. Do you live in a fantasy world ?

ArabellaScott · 09/09/2026 18:05

ArabellaScott · 09/09/2026 17:53

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/muscle-bone-and-joints/leg-and-foot-problems-and-conditions/ankle-avulsion-fracture/

Says here to tell your insurers before driving.

This also says walking may help the healing process.

ruethewhirl · 09/09/2026 18:03

namechange0998776554799000 · 09/09/2026 16:09

Might be worth asking for a dexa scan if you're peri/menopausal and it fractured just by rolling over on it. DH broke his wrist and it turned out he has osteoporosis (in his case caused my medication). It's common in women especially if you're not on HRT

Yep. I fractured my shoulder and discovered I have it. 😕 I'm post menopause and haven't been on HRT for some time.

JoshLymanSwagger · 09/09/2026 17:59

iminpain · 09/09/2026 17:45

I’m not being referred to the fracture clinic, I’ve just been told to treat it like a sprain

Show quote history

Can you get an appt with the GP - then get referred to the fracture clinic for a follow-up?

You can't walk on that!

MatriarchCaz · 09/09/2026 17:54

iminpain · 09/09/2026 17:45

I’m not being referred to the fracture clinic, I’ve just been told to treat it like a sprain

Show quote history

I find it odd they have sent you home with nothing on your foot/leg. At the minimum you need a fracture boot?? I had a cast for 4 weeks and a boot for a further 2. And an appointment with the fracture clinic after 2 weeks for another x-ray to check it was healing stable.

Original poster
iminpain · 09/09/2026 17:45

KookyMoose · 09/09/2026 17:30

I recently had an avulsion fracture of the left foot and was given a walking boot for it. When I had my telephone appointment with the fracture clinic 2 days later they signed me off work for 4 weeks and I couldn't drive either. Be careful, as putting too much strain on it could leave you with permanent pain.

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I’m not being referred to the fracture clinic, I’ve just been told to treat it like a sprain

OP posts:
ArabellaScott · 09/09/2026 17:45

Ouch. Glad you got seen. Take care, OP, and make sure you rest properly!

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 09/09/2026 17:44

iminpain · 09/09/2026 16:50

No boot or anything!

Gutted for you. Although having said that, my son broke a bone in his foot playing football and got a Velcro clog - not cool for a sixth former, apparently.

Parcelpass · 09/09/2026 17:39

Hoardasurass · 09/09/2026 08:00

A sprained ankle and skint knee is not a reason to skip work unless you work in a job that involves you being on your feet all day.
If you work in an office you are being absolutely ridiculous, take a couple of ibuprofen and ice your ankle at work and if needed im sure you can get a couple of plasters for your knee from the 1st aid box

How do you know its sprained? OP has not seen a DR or had an X-ray. Its 1 day op doesn't owe her life to a company 🙄

Kelticgold · 09/09/2026 17:36

Hi OP, well done for getting it checked and ignoring this martyrdom olympics.

And don’t rush your return to work if that means not being able to rest it properly. In a few years, when early arthritis sets in as a result of the injury not healing well, your boss won’t remember this.

smooththecat · 09/09/2026 17:34

I love it when the Mumsnet work nazis get on here. Eyeball hanging off on a stalk? You can still work. I bet they haven’t got jobs themselves.

ThunderThunderThunderThunderCats · 09/09/2026 17:34

Gettingonabitnow · 09/09/2026 16:40

Unable to work but well enough to post about it on mumsnet 🙄 👍🏻

Yes, because posting on MN is clearly very physically taxing. 🙄

andthat · 09/09/2026 17:30

Hoardasurass · 09/09/2026 08:00

A sprained ankle and skint knee is not a reason to skip work unless you work in a job that involves you being on your feet all day.
If you work in an office you are being absolutely ridiculous, take a couple of ibuprofen and ice your ankle at work and if needed im sure you can get a couple of plasters for your knee from the 1st aid box

ooh look at that! Diagnosis through a keyboard!

@iminpain you ridiculous thing, you! Fancy being in pain and wanting to go home!! (Of course you can home and call in sick if you’re in pain. Feet up. Ice it and see how you go)

KookyMoose · 09/09/2026 17:30

iminpain · 09/09/2026 17:21

No, nothing. I was told to use crutches if I felt like i need them but that’s about it

Show quote history

I recently had an avulsion fracture of the left foot and was given a walking boot for it. When I had my telephone appointment with the fracture clinic 2 days later they signed me off work for 4 weeks and I couldn't drive either. Be careful, as putting too much strain on it could leave you with permanent pain.

Original poster
iminpain · 09/09/2026 17:21

tryingtobesogood · 09/09/2026 17:08

Do you have an appointment at the fracture clinic?

do yourself a favour and stay home for a few days. You broke your ankle Ffs. A friend of mine did not give hers time to heal and has ongoing problem.

Remember your boss didn’t even want you to go to hospital. You owe him nothing

Show quote history

No, nothing. I was told to use crutches if I felt like i need them but that’s about it

OP posts:
comeoncolleen · 09/09/2026 17:13

iminpain · 09/09/2026 07:59

Yes, a lovely bunch.

Im worried I may burst into tears if someone is nice to me! I think that’s just the shock though

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That would be understandable. You're in shock now, but a cup of tea and a biscuit and a sit down might leave you feeling much better in an hour's time. Give it a try, then go home if you need to.

lazyarse123 · 09/09/2026 17:12

Gettingonabitnow · 09/09/2026 16:40

Unable to work but well enough to post about it on mumsnet 🙄 👍🏻

Don't know about you but I read and type with my fingers not my feet.

Agapornis · 09/09/2026 17:11

If you're being threatened with job loss or similar nebulous 'consequences' - you should really contact ACAS and/or your union. Though I doubt you work somewhere that recognises a union...

Taking sick leave is completely normal. Don't damage yourself for work. Don't give in to the fucked up culture of presenteeism. I imagine they're short staffed because they're a shit place to work?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presenteeism

tryingtobesogood · 09/09/2026 17:08

iminpain · 09/09/2026 16:50

No boot or anything!

Do you have an appointment at the fracture clinic?

do yourself a favour and stay home for a few days. You broke your ankle Ffs. A friend of mine did not give hers time to heal and has ongoing problem.

Remember your boss didn’t even want you to go to hospital. You owe him nothing

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