Should I take DS to A&E?

[BitBroken]

He's hurt his knee. Probably pissing about wrestling with his brother.

He's 14. He walks 2 miles to school.

So had the last couple of days off. Icing it.

He's hopping around, not weight bearing.

It's swollen but not bruised. Am 99% sure he's just twisted it.

Called GP today and they said there's nothing they can do and to go A&E.

I went for myself a few weeks ago and was there 8 hours 😑

Will they actually do anything apart from tell him to rest and ice it like we are already doing?

I just feel like it's one of those things they can't really do anything for? Or should I just pack a sandwich and go 😭

Just take him to a&e, the only way to tell if something is broken is an X-ray- you know this already! Yes it’s a ball ache but it’s his knee, really not worth all this pissing about. Get it seen, better to be safe than sorry.

@Alfixn

Omg OP don't follow medical advice on the Internet!! You've spoken to an actual doctor who knows more about (1) treating injuries and (2) your son's specific medical history than all of us; and that doctor recommended to get it checked. You live in a country with free healthcare. Your son has not been able to weight bear for several days. Literally the only reason not to go is inconvenience! The knee is a complicated joint. It may be nothing....or he may have broken his patella, or he could have ruptured his ACL, or he could have done any number of silly things that require more than "ice and rest". Sorry if I'm coming across harsh. But follow your gp's advice and just get it checked out.

Yup. This.

I would call back at the GP and try and insist on an appt. assuming 111 don’t find you one.

Been to GP.

Said its just a sprain. Minimal swelling. No concerns and gave him some painkillers.

Said keep him home today and tomorrow then back to school Friday.

Said A&E wouldn't have xrayed as there's no indication anything is wrong other than minor sprain, DS isn't in pain and he was able to examine him without antly additional pain.

He agreed the suggestion of A&E from receptionist was ridiculous

Good stuff, OP, hope he heals quickly!

Incredible

@BitBroken

Been to GP.

Said its just a sprain. Minimal swelling. No concerns and gave him some painkillers.

Said keep him home today and tomorrow then back to school Friday.

Said A&E wouldn't have xrayed as there's no indication anything is wrong other than minor sprain, DS isn't in pain and he was able to examine him without antly additional pain.

He agreed the suggestion of A&E from receptionist was ridiculous

It might be worth contacting the head of year, pre covid if kids weren’t able to walk around they would be in school doing their work in student support or the library. It maybe appropriate for Friday. Some kids have a miraculous recovery when they worked out they would be in school but not with friends.

Out of interest, OP, did 111 organise that GP appointment for you?

(I'm in a somewhat similar situation.)

@SpindlesWinterWhorl

Out of interest, OP, did 111 organise that GP appointment for you?

(I'm in a somewhat similar situation.)

No I rang GP a third time to complain that I called first thing and was refused an appointment and then was told I had to try again tomorrow.

They 'squeezed us in'

He's doing work from home online.

It's good that the leg is looking less swollen. I know that nobody on Mumsnet nobody goes to A & E unless they are near death but not all leg pain is something benign.

My son developed a limp which we thought was a sprain or something although we hadn't seen him trip or anything. After a couple of days my husband took him to the GP. She told him to drive immediately to A & E. Shortly after we arrived, my son was seen by an orthopaedic consultant, admitted and put on an antibiotic drip. It was a bone infection which can be incredibly serious if not treated promptly. I feel very grateful the GP spotted it. It is more common in young people we were told because the growth plates haven't hardened yet. Strangely it is more common in boys than girls.

111 can also tell you the waiting times in various A&E or MIU.

@BitBroken

He's not had an accident and it's not an emergency.I swear some of you lot would go A&E for a splinter

It didn't happen by magic, did it? Of course he's had an accident.

@Platax what I mean is he has had no obvious incident where he does something and immediately feels pain. Like falling or dropping something in it. He cannot pinpoint when it started or why.

Call 111 they'll be able to advise. Is there a children's A&E? That might be quicker. Or minor injuries. Some areas also have an option to book an appointment at A&E now for things that aren't urgent urgent.

It’s so good that the GP managed to ‘squeeze you in.’ It will have taken them just a few minutes to work out it was nothing that needed an X-ray. And it saved you a mega wait clogging up A&E to get told the same thing. Really glad you are sorted. It wasn’t for the receptionist to decide what was best to do here.