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Original poster

It’s an A&E one…

297 replies

LawyeredUp · 29/06/2023 23:10

I genuinely never thought I’d start one of these threads, but here I am!

I don’t think it needs a trip to A&E, but could do with the reassurance.

DS is 2 (27 months). He was picked up from nursery by his nanny and got the bus home. Unfortunately the bus was packed so when getting off, she went forwards with the pushchair rather than backwards. And the pushchair fell off the bus with DS in it.

He cried for a couple of hours and couldn’t put any weight on his legs. Once I got home, he calmed down with me after around half an hour, but was still upset at times. He started to cheer up a bit, and I gave him some calpol, after which he was back to himself.

Except he can’t put weight on his legs. He can move them and as we were playing whilst he was lying down, he was happily and easily kicking them around (calpol would have kicked in). I’ve bent them both in different angles and there’s no issue, but he’s not standing. I think his legs are simply sore, as surely it would be obvious if it was a break right?

No obvious head injury (told there were no marks on him right after) and once he calmed down and the calpol kicked in, he had food. He’s still up now (I’ve wanted to keep an eye on him) and for all intents and purposes, he’s himself, apart from not being able to stand properly. It’s a big pushchair and he was buckled in, but I think the shock together with hurting his legs was hugely distressing for him and also he needed his mum, hence why he was upset for so long.

I don’t think it needs A&E, as I’m not too worried about his legs. Maybe see how he is in the morning?

OP posts:
wildfirewonder · 29/06/2023 23:32

What is the benefit to the patient of waiting until morning? None. If something is wrong it is beneficial to know sooner. If nothing is wrong there is also a benefit from knowing sooner.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 29/06/2023 23:33

Poor kid. Take him to a and e! Re the x ray just wait outside until it's done. He can't weight bare and cried for hours???

CC4712 · 29/06/2023 23:33

What did the nanny say about the incident? Did he cry straight away or was out of it a few seconds? Did he face plant on concrete, kerb, soil etc? Not having an immediate, visual head injury means nothing. Bruising can take hours to come up.

It doesn't sound like a head injury, but the fact he isn't weight baring, even after paracetamol is a worry. Does he seem upset if you move his hips/pelvis? Either way, he needs to get seen.

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Families
Hoardasurass · 29/06/2023 23:37

@LawyeredUp when children are young their bones aren't as hard as an adult so they don't break in the same way as an adults world. The drs call them green stick fractures because a young child's bones break in the same way that a green stick does ie not a clean break but a partially attached sort of tare so they can still move and depending on the severity of injury still use it to some extent. Whereas when an adult breaks a bone its more like snapping a dry stick so can't be moved without lots of pain if at all.
Hope that helps

cestlavielife · 29/06/2023 23:37

A and e first thing

Thistlelass · 29/06/2023 23:37

I certainly would caĺl and speak to a Doctor. In the event they want to see him now, could you ask for help from a friend or next door neighbour? They are likely to want to support you given your pregnancy. Not a live-in Nanny then.
When I was about half-way through my final pregnancy with 5th child, there was an incident involving two of my sons. They were fighting and their Dad separated the two of them. Later the younger's arm seemed to be sore and he was taken to the local 'cottage' hospital. A GP sent him home with arm in a sling for support. It was still painful next day and he was taken to A & E. It turned out his arm was dislocated at the elbow. I think his Dad accidentally did it when he pulled them apart.
Certainly he should be checked out by morning time in my humble opinion x

Original poster
LawyeredUp · 29/06/2023 23:38

It’s not reluctance, more that my gut has been telling me no need. We go to A&E a lot as DS suffers from a viral wheeze whenever he gets a cold, and my gut has always been right as to whether it’s an episode that needs the hospital or not, so I guess I’m used to listening to my gut about this stuff.

Re the accident, she said she didn’t have space to turn the pushchair around to get off backwards, so went forwards instead. Turned out the bus was actually quite far from the pavement, but don’t know how she lost hold of the pushchair.

Pregnancy was relevant because if he needs an X-ray, he will be absolutely distressed and traumatised to go into a room with strangers who will need to hold him down to get an X-ray.

I needed a wobble about what to do, which is what this thread has given me. He’s fallen asleep now, but will wake him up early to take him. I really appreciate the responses.

OP posts:
IHateLegDay · 29/06/2023 23:39

I'd be taking him tonight.
I don't want to freak you out but they might question why you left it so long to bring him in if he cried for hours and can't stand.

Kingsparkle · 29/06/2023 23:41

In the nicest way OP, it’s not your gut that os right about the wheezing episodes, it’s learned experience of dealing with them. Unless you have experience of paediatric orthopaedics, I would go to A&E asap.

Original poster
LawyeredUp · 29/06/2023 23:43

CC4712 · 29/06/2023 23:33

What did the nanny say about the incident? Did he cry straight away or was out of it a few seconds? Did he face plant on concrete, kerb, soil etc? Not having an immediate, visual head injury means nothing. Bruising can take hours to come up.

It doesn't sound like a head injury, but the fact he isn't weight baring, even after paracetamol is a worry. Does he seem upset if you move his hips/pelvis? Either way, he needs to get seen.

I’ve moved his hips and pelvis with no bother. He was lying down whilst we were singing wheels on the bus and he was very happily thrusting his hips up and down and kicking his legs around.

I don’t know what happened. She seems to have panicked and hasn’t really been able to answer my questions about how did it fall, did he hit his head? The pushchair fell face forward so she’s didn’t see what he actually hit. Writing this paragraph has made me realise though I should have taken him to A&E as soon as I got home.

OP posts:
Original poster
LawyeredUp · 29/06/2023 23:44

Kingsparkle · 29/06/2023 23:41

In the nicest way OP, it’s not your gut that os right about the wheezing episodes, it’s learned experience of dealing with them. Unless you have experience of paediatric orthopaedics, I would go to A&E asap.

Good point. I didn’t think of that.

OP posts:
Original poster
LawyeredUp · 29/06/2023 23:45

Hoardasurass · 29/06/2023 23:37

@LawyeredUp when children are young their bones aren't as hard as an adult so they don't break in the same way as an adults world. The drs call them green stick fractures because a young child's bones break in the same way that a green stick does ie not a clean break but a partially attached sort of tare so they can still move and depending on the severity of injury still use it to some extent. Whereas when an adult breaks a bone its more like snapping a dry stick so can't be moved without lots of pain if at all.
Hope that helps

That is helpful, I didn’t know that. Thank you.

OP posts:
wildfirewonder · 29/06/2023 23:46

Writing this paragraph has made me realise though I should have taken him to A&E as soon as I got home. I think maybe you're a bit shocked.

wildfirewonder · 29/06/2023 23:47

The nanny should have taken him, IMO. But that is by-the-by now.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 29/06/2023 23:49

I'm not one to worry unduly, but being unable to weight bear and crying for 2 hours, I would take him to A&E not saying he's broken anything but if he has it's important to x Ray growth plates on long bones

user276 · 29/06/2023 23:50

A&E!

DoThePropeller · 29/06/2023 23:51

I too am normally pretty chilled but not able to bear weight at all would have me straight to A&E, it’s the risk of something spinal that would concern me. Especially if you didn’t witness accident and can’t know the impact of the fall. I hope he’s ok.

Ducksurprise · 29/06/2023 23:53

Call 111, they will call you back at some point. They can book in an appointment at urgent care. Nowadays A&E is really only for life and death

wildfirewonder · 29/06/2023 23:53

If it helps, NHS says go to A&E
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/limp-in-children/

Hoardasurass · 29/06/2023 23:54

Your welcome @LawyeredUp.
The I didn't know it until the peds orthopaedic dr explained it to me. If they are broken then honestly it's generally only 4-6 weeks in cast or splint. If you need them I have tips for dealing with casts

Kingsparkle · 29/06/2023 23:55

@Ducksurprise - Unfortunately 111 will take anywhere from 6 hours to never calling you back. Even for a child. A&E is not just for life and death however much the government would like to push that narrative on us. A doctor would want to see a 2 yr old in this situation.

LemonySippet · 29/06/2023 23:55

LawyeredUp · 29/06/2023 23:23

Thanks all. He can move them easily and quickly with no bother, and I assumed if one or both were broken, he wouldn’t be able to do that. But some interesting points here re unobvious fractures.

He’s tired, calm and content, so I’ll take him early in the morning so he can get some sleep. I’m also pregnant and have no one to come with me tonight in case he needs an X-ray (DH is away). He doesn’t seem distressed at all, but as Pp pointed out, wise to get checked.

If he needs an x-ray and needs you in the room with him they'll give you a lead apron to wear - I had to have an x-ray on my hand when I was pregnant and did just that. I know it's not ideal but I wouldn't be delaying him being seen for that reason. Really hope he's okay. Toddler fractures are so easy to occur and sometimes so unnoticeable.

Hairyfairy01 · 30/06/2023 00:00

In adults at least those with a Pubic rami fracture often have no issues moving their legs, getting out of bed etc but cannot weight bear to take a step without considerable pain. I have little clue about this type of fracture in kids, but I believe them to be rare but obviously not impossible. I would be taking him to a&e tonight. At least that way he can hopefully do most of the waiting asleep in a buggy. And to be honest questions may be asked why you didn't seek medical help earlier if you don't take him.

Imdonewithsergio · 30/06/2023 00:54

As someone who works in triaging- it’s a safeguarding concern if you delay seeking assessment/treatment. Crying for hours following an injury and being unable to weight bear are significant and obvious causes for concern.

thaegumathteth · 30/06/2023 01:01

Get him seen asap and I hardly ever say that. I've never had a kid cry from an injury for 2 hours and mine have bad head injuries, torn tendons, broken cheekbones and dislocations.