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Original poster

Ffs I think I might have broken my wrist in the most stupid way

28 replies

fuckthishurts · 04/04/2022 18:45

Was unpacking shopping in the kitchen and somehow (can't actually remember exactly how) I smacked the 'corner' of my wrist upwards hard against the sharp metal edge of one of my cupboards.

It's the bony bit where the top of wrist and bottom of thumb meet. It hurts like fuck, is bruised and has swollen right over where I hit it. I have some movement but it is excruciating. The pain is actually making me want to puke. I've taken nurofen and have ice on it (well no ice or peas so frozen chopped ginger, how MN).

I'm alone with two DC and don't actually think I could drive on it safely so getting it looked at is not really an option, at least tonight. My plan is to drug myself up and hope that it's magically better in the morning. Good plan? Right? Confused

OP posts:
Gilead · 04/04/2022 18:54

Erm no, swell enough you’re going to have blood flow problems and that’s a start. Needs looking at urgently.

Istumbleandfall · 04/04/2022 18:55

Ouch! Sounds sore.
I dont think it would matter if you waited til the morning to get seen, just try not to hit it again - can you sling your arm so its out of the way?
Take nurofen and paracetamol to try and settle the pain.
Do you have a minor Injuries unit near you? My son was seen, xrayed and out again within an hour last week at our local one, a&e would have been hours of waiting.

Original poster
fuckthishurts · 04/04/2022 19:02

Hmm yes there is a minor injuries unit not too far away. I do not have time for this shit!

Gin is a good painkiller, yes?

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Gladioli23 · 04/04/2022 19:09

If the pain is making you want to be sick I reckon you need to get it seen to - do you have any friends/family you can persuade to give you a lift there?

OhSoStranger · 04/04/2022 19:14

Yeah, you should get it seen. However, when I broke mine I didn't go till the next day.

Cherrysoup · 04/04/2022 19:16

Get to minors! Is there anyone who can sit with the dc and take you?

Beachsidesunset · 04/04/2022 19:25

There is a nerve that runs along that bony bit, so it may not be broken, just very sore!

Original poster
fuckthishurts · 04/04/2022 19:32

Thank you all for the replies.

You are right, however I am ridiculously bad at asking for / accepting help, especially if it inconveniences others. The nurofen has kicked it and the pain has eased a bit, thank god.

The nerve thing is interesting; I'm hoping that is what it is. I'll head down and get it checked out first thing in the morning.

OP posts:
FromOurHatsToOurFeet · 04/04/2022 19:37

A friend broke hers falling up the stairs carrying a pile of ironing that she's just done and didn't want to drop.

Are you sure you want to wait until the morning?

Bramblesr · 04/04/2022 19:39

Ouch!
If you really can’t get to minors today, take regular pain relief keep “gingering” and get it seen tomorrow. Could be the scaphoid which absolutely must be treated if you like moving your thumb! Sometimes a scaphoid fracture doesn’t show up immediately on X-ray so needs an expert to examine, don’t dismiss it.

2pinkginsplease · 04/04/2022 19:42

If it’s sore enough to make you want to be sick then it needs seen to urgently.

Please ask someone for help. I would hate to think anyone I knew was suffering in severe pain just because they didn’t want to ask for help.

Ducksurprise · 04/04/2022 19:43

Is neurofen ibuprofen? If so don't take anymore take paracetamol instead (if you have it) no idea exactly why but advice on this has changed (swelling is now good I think) I'm in MIU more than I'd like to admit. I would ring 111 and get an appointment for the morning at minor injuries.

lljkk · 04/04/2022 19:49

meh, I'd go at my convenience. #Veteran of 3 broken arms

Can you definitely get to MIU tomorrow? Who will drive you or can you taxi?

Will the pain be so bad tonight that you won't sleep?

Codeine is amazing stuff... but it makes me feel sick so sadly, not so useful.

Our MIU always sends ppl to the big hospital orthopaedics centre the next morning, after you have broken something. Almost always, this extra visit means precisely zero extra treatment, the big hospital just doesn't trust MIU to get it right.

That's my warning to be ready for even more hassle/doctor seeing if it is broke.

Original poster
fuckthishurts · 04/04/2022 20:01

I will definitely make sure I get there tomorrow.

I didn't know about the paracetamol advice, thank you for that. I've taken nurofen plus which is nurofen and codeine. It's still bastard sore but less so.

The ginger has had to go back in the freezer temporarily as it was melting and leaking. I will get back on it shortly thought.

I'm watching a Channel 4 documentary about rescue medics which features a Scottish guy who spent five hours pinned by his arm under his quad bike in the remote highlands. Also a young lad who sliced his arm with a chainsaw. Puts things into perspective Grin

OP posts:
moofolk · 04/04/2022 20:27

I did a very very similar thing a few months ago. I knew it was broken immediately, as I think you did.

I avoided A&E for similar reasons to you, there was no way I could get to hospital, never mind deal with the pain I was in and my the kids, but got referred to a walk in centre a few days later. It turned out to be a spiral fracture, they were surprised I'd lasted so long (it was the first day since the accident I'd had childcare).

Mine didn't need anything shifting back into place or operating on thank god, but in case it does need seeing to, the sooner the better.

Also they'll give you better painkillers!

lljkk · 04/04/2022 20:27

Update us after tomorrow visit?

x fingers for you it's just bruising, nothing worse, so can heal quickly.

lljkk · 04/04/2022 20:31

ps: every time I've gone to MIU (for me or DC)... well, I get vibes that they get A LOT of visitors convinced they broke something only the person didn't. "Just a sprain" being quite common.

So when I went & said arm was broke, they struggled not to roll eyes, until they put up the xrays & said "Oh look at that! You did break it. Both bones! All the way across."

Luckily I was amused not offended.

And their pain killers were indeed good ones. 👍

LowlyTheWorm · 04/04/2022 20:36

I would also wait it out til tomorrow unless you develop numbness or tingly fingers etc. I broke my hand “vaulting” over a wall- i say vaulting but i had forgotten i’m a middle aged woman and no lightweight so it was an attempt at jumping over a wall supporting my weight- and failing.
I was super excited and flattered to be recorded as a “sports injury” at A and E 😂😂😂

Original poster
fuckthishurts · 04/04/2022 20:40

@LowlyTheWorm

I would also wait it out til tomorrow unless you develop numbness or tingly fingers etc. I broke my hand “vaulting” over a wall- i say vaulting but i had forgotten i’m a middle aged woman and no lightweight so it was an attempt at jumping over a wall supporting my weight- and failing. I was super excited and flattered to be recorded as a “sports injury” at A and E 😂😂😂
'Sports injury' Grin

Yes I must admit there is also my own fear of being perceived as a timewaster if it bruised / sprained. Blush

OP posts:
Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 04/04/2022 20:54

I broke my hand falling over whilst giving an ambulance directions (not drunk honest, just slipped of the pavement in the dark). 8 weeks later, a letter was sent saying upon review, I had broken 3 bones in my hand. Nothing to be done. 4 months later I’m still having issues. So, make sure the x ray is really looked at!!

Gladioli23 · 04/04/2022 21:12

I'm watching a Channel 4 documentary about rescue medics which features a Scottish guy who spent five hours pinned by his arm under his quad bike in the remote highlands. Also a young lad who sliced his arm with a chainsaw. Puts things into perspective

Total derail - but what's this called? Sounds like it needs to go on my watch list.

Original poster
fuckthishurts · 04/04/2022 21:24

@Alphabet1spaghetti2

I broke my hand falling over whilst giving an ambulance directions (not drunk honest, just slipped of the pavement in the dark). 8 weeks later, a letter was sent saying upon review, I had broken 3 bones in my hand. Nothing to be done. 4 months later I’m still having issues. So, make sure the x ray is really looked at!!
Whilst giving an ambulance directions?! Bugger Grin
OP posts:
Original poster
fuckthishurts · 04/04/2022 21:25

@Gladioli23

I'm watching a Channel 4 documentary about rescue medics which features a Scottish guy who spent five hours pinned by his arm under his quad bike in the remote highlands. Also a young lad who sliced his arm with a chainsaw. Puts things into perspective

Total derail - but what's this called? Sounds like it needs to go on my watch list.

It's called Rescue: Extreme Medics. Filmed in Scotland. Showing on Channel 4 as we speak. Well worth a watch.
OP posts:
Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 04/04/2022 21:30

Op - yep. The sat nab had sent them to my house, they actually wanted a boat on the canal opposite me. Good job I don’t accompany them down the towpath - I might have managed to drown myself!

SpornStar · 04/04/2022 21:39

Yes, ibuprofen no longer recommended for potential fractures. Stick to paracetamol/codeine if you can.

I injured my hand in a similarly mundane and unspectacular way about 6 months ago. Saturday night so there was no way I was going to sit in A&E with a minor injury. Waited until Monday to go to minor injuries unit. Not only was it fractured, it was so bloody awkwardly fractured that I needed surgery and metal screws inserted. Hopefully it is just a sprain but do get it seen to ASAP, just in case.