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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:
Radioheads · 10/09/2026 18:08

I slipped on black ice on a path age 25, that is 37 years ago. Split my head and got an awful fright. I am so wary of ice to this day.

Falling as adults is not a regular thing, it does give a terrible fright, especially if you end up with cuts a scrapes.

This is such a nasty thread OP.
I'm so sorry.
Mind yourself and rest as much as you can.
It will likely take a couple of weeks before you feel steady again.

GamerTheory · 10/09/2026 18:03

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That’s not support. Don’t be ridiculous.

Original poster
iminpain · 10/09/2026 17:51

WiddlinDiddlin · 10/09/2026 16:59

She said
"It just really sucks. I feel like a child..."

It's got nothing to do with anyone else, she's not saying those of us who do fall down regularly ARE children. I fall regularly, I have a connective tissue disorder, I use a wheelchair, I do not stand well or walk well without pain and subluxations and stuff just.. not doing as it should and down I go...

in no way did I find the OP's comment insensitive or offensive, it was clearly about how shaken up SHE felt, vulnerable and upset, as a child might.

I think you've got a massive bee in your bonnet and need to give your head a wobble (not too hard in case it subluxates of course).

Show quote history

Exactly. I’ve got a skinned knee like I used to get when I was seven and have my mum running about after me because I can’t do anything! I feel like I did when I was a kid

OP posts:
WiddlinDiddlin · 10/09/2026 16:59

MichaelmasDaisiesAndAutumSunset · 10/09/2026 11:33

Who falls over and skins their knees and elbows like a child - as I said in my PP, I and many other adults hit the deck regularly. I skin things, sprain things, dislocate things. I'm not a child. It was bloody rude and insensitive to suggest that adults who fall are deficient.

The fuss made is ridiculous - to someone who falls over regularly (I usually fall because my ankle has given up trying, and so regularly have an ankle the size of the OP's in the picture. I manage to wear socks and shoes, because I don't have a choice. It hurts. Frankly, so fucking what?) the OP has turned something that - with proper perspective - is a minor, unpleasant experience into a whole performance. In the course of doing that she has showed a towering insensitivity to those around her.

Show quote history

She said
"It just really sucks. I feel like a child..."

It's got nothing to do with anyone else, she's not saying those of us who do fall down regularly ARE children. I fall regularly, I have a connective tissue disorder, I use a wheelchair, I do not stand well or walk well without pain and subluxations and stuff just.. not doing as it should and down I go...

in no way did I find the OP's comment insensitive or offensive, it was clearly about how shaken up SHE felt, vulnerable and upset, as a child might.

I think you've got a massive bee in your bonnet and need to give your head a wobble (not too hard in case it subluxates of course).

hourglass2 · 10/09/2026 16:48

Oldrunner · 10/09/2026 14:12

A and E nurse practitioner here.
An avulsion fracture occurs when you go over on your ankle . Ligaments are overstretched and where the ligaments attaches to the bone , a tiny piece of bone flakes off. So it's not like a fracture going through a bone.It's a stable fracture, is treated as a sprain , does not need follow up in a fracture clinic and does not necessarily require a boot.
But ankle sprains can be very painful. Elevate and ice regularly to help swelling. Regular analgesia. Expect it to remain painful for up to 6 weeks. And even after that, if you have a long day on your feet, you'll find it may swell and be painful. Again ice and elevation helps.
Tubigrips do nothing to help healing but might make you feel ankle is more supported which helps you relax and walk more easily.
Limit walking in first 48 hrs after injury but when you walk, make sure you walk properly putting foot to the floor. Don't wear flip flops etc but proper supportive shoes.
Insurance will be void if you choose to drive and cannot safely do an emergency stop.
I'm sorry nurse was so rude and dismissive to you. The above is the advice you should have expected to receive.

This is great advice..

NotAtMyAge · 10/09/2026 16:31

iminpain · 10/09/2026 09:36

Like the dead!!!I don’t think anyone can help now as the a&e advice was just to treat it like a sprain.

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Well, when I sprained my ankle badly it was agonising. I didn't go downstairs for 2 days. I could barely hobble to the bathroom, let alone go up and downstairs. I certainly couldn't drive or go to work for at least a week.

ruethewhirl · 10/09/2026 15:43

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Someone on this thread needs to get a grip. IMO it’s not OP.

Confrontcriticism · 10/09/2026 15:41

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WattThreeWords · 10/09/2026 15:40

iminpain · 10/09/2026 15:32

How exactly have I been insensitive

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I’ve reported this poster to MN for the series of unkind and angry responses she has made wholly unnecessarily to you OP!

Confrontcriticism · 10/09/2026 15:40

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Original poster
iminpain · 10/09/2026 15:39

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Cute little accusation there.

This thread really has contained the absolute worst of Mumsnet.

OP posts:
Confrontcriticism · 10/09/2026 15:37

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Original poster
iminpain · 10/09/2026 15:32

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They’ve actually been lovely, bless them. And my manager has her tail between her legs!

OP posts:
Original poster
iminpain · 10/09/2026 15:32

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How exactly have I been insensitive

OP posts:
MichaelmasDaisiesAndAutumSunset · 10/09/2026 15:31

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Original poster
iminpain · 10/09/2026 15:31

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The absolute irony of telling me I’m rude just to tell me I’m being dramatic about a broken bone 🤣🤣🤣🤣

OP posts:
MichaelmasDaisiesAndAutumSunset · 10/09/2026 15:31

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Confrontcriticism · 10/09/2026 15:29

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BillyBites · 10/09/2026 15:28

Blimey, OP, you’ve taken a battering- both literally and on this thread.
Who the fuck are these people telling you to grow up/stop being dramatic?
Don't worry, it’s them, not you.
I hope you feel better soon.

soddingspiderseason · 10/09/2026 15:28

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Absolutely no need to be so rude and insensitive.

MichaelmasDaisiesAndAutumSunset · 10/09/2026 15:27

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MichaelmasDaisiesAndAutumSunset · 10/09/2026 15:23

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Original poster
iminpain · 10/09/2026 15:09

ruethewhirl · 10/09/2026 14:42

Definitely know the feeling! 😄

Show quote history

Might stick a peppa pig plaster on my dressings because if you don’t laugh you’ll cry

OP posts:
ruethewhirl · 10/09/2026 14:42

iminpain · 10/09/2026 12:47

It’s more the fact I’m in my twenties with my one and elbow bandaged up like I used to when I was a child 😂 no idea that was offensive to say!

Show quote history

Definitely know the feeling! 😄

Oldrunner · 10/09/2026 14:12

A and E nurse practitioner here.
An avulsion fracture occurs when you go over on your ankle . Ligaments are overstretched and where the ligaments attaches to the bone , a tiny piece of bone flakes off. So it's not like a fracture going through a bone.It's a stable fracture, is treated as a sprain , does not need follow up in a fracture clinic and does not necessarily require a boot.
But ankle sprains can be very painful. Elevate and ice regularly to help swelling. Regular analgesia. Expect it to remain painful for up to 6 weeks. And even after that, if you have a long day on your feet, you'll find it may swell and be painful. Again ice and elevation helps.
Tubigrips do nothing to help healing but might make you feel ankle is more supported which helps you relax and walk more easily.
Limit walking in first 48 hrs after injury but when you walk, make sure you walk properly putting foot to the floor. Don't wear flip flops etc but proper supportive shoes.
Insurance will be void if you choose to drive and cannot safely do an emergency stop.
I'm sorry nurse was so rude and dismissive to you. The above is the advice you should have expected to receive.