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Original poster

Would you go to A&E? A&E staff views particularly welcome!

126 replies

OhShutUpThomas · 04/10/2025 07:28

Yesterday I was thrown (literally!) from my horse. A spectacular leap and flick, meaning that I was launched from about 12-15’ in the air and landed on my lower back in sort of a half sit-up position.

After a while I managed to get back on and ride home, I was about a mile away, no signal and didn’t feel I could walk that far.

I managed to get through yesterday, make tea etc fold washing. It is obviously very sore but I can technically do stuff.

I’m aching from my lower back/pelvis, and also up through my neck and back of my head. I’ve had a few instances of mild pins and needles in arms/hands but nothing horrendous.

What’s worrying me is the tales you hear of missed fractures. I’d think I would be in agony then but I know people it’s happened to who weren’t. Also I have a high pain threshold and animals that need looking after.

WWYD?

OP posts:
wheresmymojo · 04/10/2025 07:30

Go to your local minor injuries walk in clinic instead? It’s not an emergency if it’s 24 hours later…

Peekingovertheparapet · 04/10/2025 07:31

Yes you go to a&e. You should have gone the day it happened. Madness.

Sunshineandrainbow · 04/10/2025 07:31

I would definitely go and get checked out but I am not a and e staff.

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Climbinghigher · 04/10/2025 07:31

I would and have in a very similar situation. They were a bit dismissive - but I would still go back again.

FWIW I have attended A&E twice with identical injuries, identical cause (not horse related this time) & one time it was taken very seriously & the other they were very dismissive. So the response is more about them than you.

Fall from height, landing on your back - needs checking.

Peekingovertheparapet · 04/10/2025 07:32

Minor injuries is a good shout, depending on your setup. We have a good one but I’m pretty sure they only do limbs when it comes to X-ray

coffeetasteslikeshit · 04/10/2025 07:35

I would

Bookblanketteaandsympathy · 04/10/2025 07:40

I'd ring 111 and that way you'll get refered to the right place. In our area if you went to minor injuries you wouldn't get seen because they dont have the equipment but you could be refered to the 'gp' section (because your not an emergency) of a and e where they'd assess as your not an emergency but have the recourses to xray etc. So I think as its most likely area dependent you need to get local advice.

Original poster
OhShutUpThomas · 04/10/2025 07:42

I think minor injuries would be a waste of time because I want to know if anything is broken or badly damaged, and I’m sure our minor injuries only images limbs.

We are quite a tough lot, the kids have arrived at A&E walking and laughing before and come back out in a cast, I just worry though that they will think I’m a timewaster.

OP posts:
ConkersEverywhere · 04/10/2025 07:48

Go, asap. I had a fall in 1998, I got back on, carried on, drove home etc.. I felt dizzy in the evening, took myself to A&E. I’d broken my neck. C2, it had cracked but not moved.

Don't wait for even a minute OP.

3luckystars · 04/10/2025 07:50

Yes I would get checked over by a doctor today definitely. Especially with pins and needles.

However you manage it.

What are your options?

Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 04/10/2025 07:51

I'd go. Surely its A and E not just E?? Although with the possibility of a break or fracture, id say its an emergency even after the event

Gizlotsmum · 04/10/2025 07:53

Go to minor injuries if they can’t do the appropriate cray they will triage you to a&e. Honestly I hobbled around for two days with 2 broken bones in my foot. Whilst at utc they were sending people to a&e if deemed necessary

Clockface222 · 04/10/2025 07:53

You don't want to mess about with your spine, a fracture could cause paralysis and it is quite possible to walk around not realising you have one. Go and get checked out.

Cantseetreesforthewood · 04/10/2025 07:54

Not sure A&E is the right place today, but I think you do need medical advice over the weekend.

The pins and needles are concerning me.

Bananadramaa · 04/10/2025 07:54

Yes I would I have gone yesterday

TenNineEightSeven · 04/10/2025 07:55

A&E absolutely won't think you're a time waster after being thrown off a horse, and having pins and needles. Round here we are encouraged to phone 111 if it isn't a life threatening injury, you get an appointment time for A&E/out of hours GP so you don't end up sitting in the waiting room for hours on end.

Wherethewildthingsfart · 04/10/2025 07:55

Definitely go and get checked as soon as you can.

Sunshinedayscomeon · 04/10/2025 08:03

Call 111, they will triage you and advise on where to go. Advise them of the pins and needles (can sometimes be nerve damage).

Weightlo55 · 04/10/2025 08:10

Yes I'd go. As pp said you can't mess about when it's your spine.

BreakfastOfChampignons · 04/10/2025 08:13

"Yesterday I was thrown (literally!) from my horse"

Yes. A&E is a valid option!

Best case scenario you need a neuro exam. Worst case scenario a CT or MRI. Not sure about where you are but here minor injuries is nurse led and they would send you to A&E

Bombshelter · 04/10/2025 08:15

Please go to A&E

summerlovingvibes · 04/10/2025 08:15

Not A&E but a nurse in an other area with previous emergency department experience.

Yes go, they will do a physical examination of your spine all the way down and order a CT if they think clinically necessary.

After an injury, adrenaline is released & kicks. When this wears off and the bruising starts to come out (internal if you can't see external bruising) then things are often more sore. If you're struggling today then it's not worth the risk of making it worse. If there is damage it can make it worse to continue moving. Go now x

Jellybunny56 · 04/10/2025 08:16

I’d seek medical advise but not A&E- over 24 hrs later this isn’t an emergency, it’s a “seek advice and if they think you need it you’ll be sent for an xray” situation

Bobbybobbins · 04/10/2025 08:18

Find out if minor injuries does x ray - ring 111 and they can advise.

olympicsrock · 04/10/2025 08:18

Yes I would go to A and E . I am a doctor with A and E experience. You could well have a neck or lower back fracture that needs stabilizing . You need a Ct scan with that mechanism of injury .
When I was a student, a friend fell skiing . He skiied down the mountain in pain . The next day he was still in pain and we took him to hospital - he had fractured his lumbar vertebrae and was in a brace for months.