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Original poster

Advice regarding ds- has fallen down stairs on a bike

70 replies

EnglishRose1320 · 27/09/2018 18:40

Ds13 was out with a friend, tried to get off his bike to take it down some steps, got caught on the bike and fell with it down about 8 concrete steps, landing on a small bridge at the bottom, his shoe fell off into the water and he was stuck under his bike. His friend said he hit his head (he was wearing a helmet) and his arm whacked against the edge of the bridge. Now my issue is he says he can't move his a at all, no signs of any swelling. Where it gets tricky is ds has autism and is hyper sensitive to pain. I have no idea how to tell if he is refusing to move it due to the idea of pain or if he actually can't move it. It's not uncommon for him to not move arms/legs etc when he has knocked them but equally he hasn't had a big fall like this before. His friend said it looked horrible and ds was clearly in shock when I got there. When I arrived he was shaking head to foot and said his arm had stopped hurting and gone numb, then starting hurting again when I tried to get him up. Don't want to take him to get it checked out if it's unneeded but don't want to miss an injury. I suspect just bruising and shaken up but not 💯 sure.

OP posts:
FlaviaAlbia · 28/09/2018 09:29

DE fell off his bike downhill and didn't break anything but twisted or bruised the tissue between the top of his bone and his shoulder (or something like that) and had to wear a sling to restrict movement for a month or so. So even if it's not broken, it may need something done.

Good luck Flowers

FlaviaAlbia · 28/09/2018 09:29

DE? DS!

PhilomenaButterfly · 28/09/2018 10:00

He needs to get to A&E, you need to find a way to get him there. I'm autistic, 2 of my DC probably are, but there must be a way to reason with him.

Original poster
EnglishRose1320 · 28/09/2018 19:32

Managed to get him to a Miu where a nurse gave him a quick check over and said it was a sprained shoulder with bruising. She gave him exercises to do but he can't do them without crying in pain, I'm not convinced he should be doing them. Oh has got back from his work trip and feels it needs a second opinion, it took 5 hours to get him to go the first time and he tried to leave the waiting room when he got too anxious. I was really hoping it would be clear cut either way as to how to treat it.

OP posts:
verite · 28/09/2018 20:24

I have broken foot twice and both times, on examination a doctor said not broken (2 docs the first time in fact). Only an x Ray can show for definite.

didyouseetheflaresinthesky · 28/09/2018 21:18

I was going to say get him to squeeze the brakes on his bike. If he can't then it it is likely broken. I cycled to school with a broken arm and the only thing I couldn't do was squeeze my brake on that side.

Original poster
EnglishRose1320 · 28/09/2018 22:22

If their is no improvement or the pain has worsened tomorrow then I will take him back and insist on an X ray. He has gone to bed having taken the max amount of pain relief. Hopefully an earlier night will help.

OP posts:
Isadora2007 · 28/09/2018 22:26

Bless him. What a worry for you. Is there any sort of social story type preparation you could do for an A and E trip? It seems odd that it’s still so painful for him, but I guess if his perception of pain is not typical it’s difficult to know what to do for the best.
Sorry, that wasn’t much help was it?

Rebecca36 · 28/09/2018 23:00

If it is muscular or tendon strain or sprain, an ice pack would be helpful. Frozen peas are favourite. He won't be able to do exercises until the pain has subsided. Honestly, some of these nurses are useless, they cannot diagnose.

Bless his heart, I hope he feels better tomorrow but if not, please take him to A&E and insist he is given an X-ray and seen by a doctor.

SeaToSki · 28/09/2018 23:06

ice him like a maniac. every 20 mins. keep an eye on his fingers, any sign of them going cold or white or numb and he needs to go straight to a and e. otherwise see what he is like in the morning in unguarded moments. maybe put a favourite treat just out of reach and tell him he can have it if he reaches with his injured arm. If he wont - he needs an xray.

Original poster
EnglishRose1320 · 29/09/2018 18:25

Unfortunately ds won't tolerate ice but he will use a freeze spray. He is asking for pain relief constantly, doing every two hours alternating between paracetamol and ibuprofen but that's the max he can have. He is refusing to have it checked again. If I try and push it today it will not go well, he will not tolerate a busy Saturday a&e with his brother there as well. Will go early tomorrow if I feel he needs to go. Still no swelling, slightly more movement so slight improvement.

OP posts:
PhilomenaButterfly · 30/09/2018 06:55

How's he doing now EnglishRose?

Original poster
EnglishRose1320 · 30/09/2018 12:43

Seems to be a bit better today, still needing the max amount of pain relief but managing to do more and managing to last pain wise until the next dose. One shoulder still looks lower than the other though.

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 30/09/2018 14:48

Have you a minor injuries unit - that might be better, we have one 30mins away that has an x Ray

BedtimeTea · 30/09/2018 15:16

I am sorry I don't know how, but it sounds like he needs an X-ray. That was a pretty way that he fell. Has he ever had lorazepam? If he is allowed it may relax him enough to get x-rays done?

BedtimeTea · 30/09/2018 15:17

*pretty hard way

bluechairs · 30/09/2018 16:15

Snapped my arm in 4 places doing that when I was a kid. -you could only see one of the breaks so I'd take him to A&E

Original poster
EnglishRose1320 · 01/10/2018 15:06

Have managed to persuade him to go to the gp's today, hopefully they will then refer to the right place. If they refer us in to the local a&e they liaise with them so that they are aware ds is arriving and find a quiet space for him etc.

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PhilomenaButterfly · 01/10/2018 18:08

I'm so pleased! Let's hope it's not broken.

PrincessConsuelaBannanaHammock · 01/10/2018 19:11

That's great op, so glad you managed to convince him to see the gp. Hope nothing is broken & he has a speedy recovery

CrochetBelle · 01/10/2018 19:21

Has he been seen? Could it be his collarbone?

Original poster
EnglishRose1320 · 01/10/2018 19:25

The GP thinks that his clavicle/collarbone may be broken. So we are currently sat in an absolutely heaving a&e, they have a quiet room for him once he has been triaged, hopefully he will stay calm enough until then. Have bought a friend and her son who ds thinks is great and hopefully between us we can keep him regulated.

OP posts:
MiniCooperLover · 01/10/2018 19:35

Good luck OP, hope he's not too sore.

CrochetBelle · 01/10/2018 19:42

Hope it's not broken. Mine still causes me bother over 20 years after breaking. It can be a very awkward break and difficult to support.
Don't be afraid to ask for that quiet room just now, instead of having to wait. That's absolutely an adjustment they can and should make.

Original poster
EnglishRose1320 · 01/10/2018 20:44

He's had the X rays, just waiting to have them checked. They haven't got a quiet space for him so we are waiting in X ray which is quieter than the main waiting. He wants to go home though.

OP posts: