Is this worthy of a visit to A&E?

[HurdyGurdy19]

About 6 weeks ago, I fell over. Nothing major, with only a bruised ego and bruised knees. The bruises have gone.

However, I am experiencing increasing pain around my ankle. It does look a bit swollen, but I often have puffy ankles, so that's not so unusual.

Also, I have rheumatoid arthritis, so I tend to attribute every pain or swelling around a joint to that. But this pain is not actually in the ankle, but just below it.

I'm now at the point where shoes are really uncomfortable to wear, and I don't really want to put weight on it. It also hurts when I rotate my foot.

I'm reluctant to pitch up at A&E as it is neither an emergency nor a (current) accident. But I don't think a GP could diagnose anything either?

I am at the hospital tomorrow anyway, as a day patient, so I could go into A&E when I'm finished.

Does it sound like an A&E problem? As I said, it's been about 6 weeks now, so I would have hoped if it was something that would self-heal, it would have done so by now.

I feel foolish even asking, but I've talked myself in and out of going multiple times now.

No not a a&e issue
Pharmacist , GP, Physio depending on you appointment tomorrow maybe ask them if relevant, eg if you are there about lower limbs or arthritis yes if you're there about eyesight no, it's not their specialty

GP could refer you for x-ray if needed.

I think a GP could diagnose what’s wrong, they’re Drs after all and they can put you on the relevant care pathway. Can you get to your minor injuries unit? Would it help to cal 111? Definitely not A&E.

Agree… GP first.

A&E won't want to see what is (now) a chronic problem. You need to go to your GP, who can refer you for an x-ray or orthopaedic review.

HCP here. It is not an accident or emergency unless the swelling is suggestive of a DVT or something more serious. I would arrange a GP appointment or if less than 6 weeks ago you could attend minor injuries.

Infact minor injuries would be more appropriate as they can send for further investigations ie xray if they felt its indicated/

Not all hospitals have a separate minor injuries though, they only have A&E.if that's the case for your area I still think GP/physio etc firstly

I would mention it at your appointment tomorrow as they could get someone to look and eg order an x Ray if they think it's necessary.

@Normallynumb Really ?? Even if the hospital appointment has nothing to do with her legs? Why? Go through the correct channels , don't waste the specialist time.
I'm hypermobile have had surgery on my ankles if I was at the hospital for an appointment for something else I wouldn't dream of asking (for example) an oncologist to have a look at my sore puffy ankle!

I took from the post that OP was at a Rheumatology appoint anyway
Obviously if not, it doesn't apply
I'm fully aware how hospitals work as I attend for a lifelong condition myself

Our local minor injuries dept will only look at injuries less than 48 hours old, and point you to GP for anything older - they have the rules on their website. Worth knowing before anyone travels any distance to attend one.

A&E can only X-ray any injury less than 48hr. GP is your first line here. Minor injuries also will not deal with this.

Self refer to physio and pick one with ultrasound scan so you can diagnose it.

I think a GP will likely tell you to get it Xrayed.
Twice I’ve waited, used the ice, told myself it’s just bruising/sprain/ligaments. Twice I’ve been proved wrong by an X-ray I could’ve got on day 1 as still ended up in plaster.

Go to minor injuries. They can x ray it and if it needs further intervention they'll send you to a&e.

Minor Injuries is usually something that's happened in the last few days not six weeks ago

Thank you. I didn't think A&E was appropriate, but stupidly didn't consider alternative referral routes to x-ray - which I assume it needs.

I'm in hospital as a day patient tomorrow for a Rituximab infusion, which controls the Rheumatoid Arthritis, but I doubt the nurses there could do anything other than offer sympathy, as their role is just to deliver the infusion and monitor me whilst it's being delivered. And I don't think it is Arthritis related anyway.

I've never used the minor injuries unit at our hospital. I walk past it to get to the day unit, but I don't know if it's literally a walk-in or if you need to be referred from elsewhere.

I can go in on my way past and ask, and take it from there.

Thank you all for your help 😊

GP