To trust MN vipers more than NHS direct?

[WelshMaenad]

Dd, 6, has just gone arse over tit down the stairs carrying a pile of books. She's not a fuss maker, but she is really complaining about pain in her thumb. She howled when she had to push her hand through a jumper sleeve.

It's a little swollen, and definitely showing signs if starting to bruise, but she can bend it (though data it hurts a lot). I've got it wrapped in ice but she is still whimpering a bit 30 minutes on.

A&E, or am I being a drama queen? I don't think it's broken because she can bend it but I'm not an orthopaedic surgeon, yunno?

Says, not data!

A&E. Only an xray can rule out a fracture.

a and e

my son could bend his fingers when he broke his wrist

Did she bend it backwards? I expect that's what happened in which case it's probably not broken. Hmmmm - can thumbs dislocate? I don't know - if it's that painful I'd probably A & E it - depends really - how hard is it for you to get there?

Do you have a minor injury unit near you? They are usually much quicker

I'd strap it up just for tonight, ie bandage it to the rest of her hand so it doesn't keep catching when she's moving around in her sleep, and see how she is tomorrow. Give her plenty of painkillers.

DS has had those sort of injuries through karate loads of times and I've always diligently sat in A&E for hours while they x ray it etc and it's never fractured, just badly bruised/strained and they do what I recommended in my first para.

It could be cracked or dislocated... id get up to casualty..

I'd go to A&E, but probably wait and see how it is in the morning tbh nothing worse than hanging round in A&E in the evening. Has calpol helped?

I am in the 'wait until the morning' school of mothering.

You can still bend them when they're broken, don't think it's advisable though. That said, I stipped once taking a tin out of the oven, and bruised a joint in my hand. The pain was immense, I couldn't belief it hurt so much, and so suddenly, it wasn't even a proper whack. Was right as rain a few days later.

Bag of frozen peas to help the pain/swelling.

I've always found NHS Direct helpful and realistic, don't think I have ever been told to go to A & E by them! I wouldn't wait overnight, would only give it an hour or so to see if any improvement in pain levels.

DH bent his thumb back skiing and didn't go to hospital coz he didn't want to be told not to ski

He ended up going when he got back from hols and got a telling off and had it in a cast for 8 weeks. They call it gamekeeper's thumb - they get it from repeated shotgun recoils.

i'd get it looked at if i were you

DH will be home in ten minutes and its no bother to drive her up. No minor injuries clinics open at this time but they have a dedicated kids a&e at our local hospital so a nicer experience and usually seen quickly.

Think I'll take her when DH gets in, he can stay with DS.

I broke my arm when I was 4, and didnt tell anyone for 3 days because I had been naughty and was stealing cookies out the jar cliche I know and fell off a step....therefore I've always been of th assumption that breaks dont always hurt as much as people say. Go to A&E, just in case.

And thank you!

I'm glad you're going to A&E, I broke a bone in my hand when I was a teenager, and I still had full use of my hand, it just hurt like hell and blew up like a purple balloon.

Hope she's ok, and it's just bruised.

Yep, my dd could move her finger when it was broken. Brushing and swelling so soon after is indicative of a fracture. Hope she's ok.

Ha - change of plan! DH came home and clapped in delight. Methinks someone has been milking the hurty thumb...

He's a first aider, had a look, and amended plan to Calpol and check in the morning.

Thank you all for the handholding.