more of a wwyd, GP or A&E?

[IJustLostTheGame]

I was late and running to work about 6 weeks ago and I felt something 'pop' for want of a better word at the back of my ankle. The pain wasn't too bad and I assumed I'd pulled a muscle. It felt bruisy.
The bruised feeling has stayed since but in the last few days it's gotten worse. It's now stiff and I can't go on tip toe.
It's also twice the size of the back of my other ankle. I don't know how long it's been swollen I only looked the other day as it got worse.
I think I need to see someone as I'm beginning to think I may have 'done something' after all. After 6 weeks it should be better surely?
But do I go to the GP? I don't want to clog up A&E, it's not as though I've only just done it but at the same time I don't want a pointless GP appointment. They've been engaged since half 8 when I rang for advice

I get the impression that 111 is a bit of a waste of time these days, and quite different to NHS Direct a decade ago (which was actually quite good - speak to a qualified nurse, call back from a doctor if necessary).

Actually, I got the impression from NHS direct that they would tell to go to A&E anyway. A qualified nurse or doctor would take ages to call back anyway.

don't call the police OP!

This is what a minor injuries clinic is designed to cover. GP unlikely to be able to do much and A&E is for Accidents or Emergencies - this is neither. For those saying GP would refer to A&E anyway that isn't correct - they might refer to the hospital but they wouldn't refer you to A&E. The reason why you have to wait for hours in A&E with blood dripping/broken bones etc is because it is clogged up with non emergencies like this.

Whichever you choose, go see someone as soon as you can - you should have gone ages ago! Read this and get going!

I was hugely impressed when I went. And (no disrespect to nurses) 15 minutes maybe of a specialist nurse practitioner's time seems more cost effective than the same of a GP's.

Minor injuries, if possible. It's not an emergency but I doubt you'd get a GP appointment for a sore ankle within the next three or four days.

IJustLostTheGame Just wondering how things are?

GP will send you for an X-ray, if it's how you're describing!

I don't think you should be walking on it. I would hop to minor injuries or if not then A and E. And I get pissed off with people wasting A and E time for minor things. This doesn't sound minor.

I see it was yesterday though. We have a fracture clinic here for breaks and things, GP can refer there. Don't know if it's widespread. Hope you got seen and sorted anyway.

Sounds more like it needs ultrasound and physio and maybe ortho opinion rather than X-ray. Our A and E would direct you back to GP if 6 weeks old. No minor injuries clinic here.

Well the minor injuries unit were a bit that I'd left it six weeks. I kept saying it didn't hurt that bad then, it just felt like a bruise which would be silly to bother anyone over.
I appear to have partially ruptured my achilles tendon. I'm waiting for a scan to confirm it but the very nice doctor was adamant that is what I've done. He could feel beneath the swelling a bit (ouch) and said he thinks he feels some of it. But I'm more flat footed on that side (which i didnt notice) so I'm hoping it's not worse.
I probably strained it to begon with and it started tearing since hence why it suddenly started getting a lot worse. Or it was a bit torn and got worse.
I do have a fairly high pain threshold and an abhorrence for hospitals.
I'm to wait for future orthopedic appointments etc but I'm on very strict rest and it's plastered up.

Aww poor you. I suspected they would put in plaster. It's called an equinous plaster to keep your foot like a horse! Once it's had the opportunity to heal after being immobilised, you will need physio to build the strength again - it will really help. Nightmare to be in plaster though especially as you have little ones.

Glad it's getting sorted

thank goodness you are sorted! Its not going to be easy I expect.

Oh thank goodness you went and had it seen to!! I really hope that you haven't done permanent damage to it from leaving it for so long, and that the plaster helps to allow it to heal.
I thought, from what you said, that was what you had done (hope you read my link upthread!) - so fingers crossed it all works out.

But on re-reading your update, no, you probably didn't strain it to begin with - the "pop" is a classic symptom of a tear/partial tear. But not allowing it any rest, will have caused more swelling of the tissues around the tear, and yes, possibly worsening of the tear.

Ouch! Poor you! Rest up

Glad it is being dealt with. How long will plaster be on?
Here gp would tell you to go to A&e - no minor injuries, walk in centres, etc. So rather than take up gp appointment, and A&E as well, we go straight to A&E.

I agree with a PP, it sounds more like an Achilles injury rather than a bony injury. I'd go down the gp route. From what you've said I'm not sure an x Ray will help much actually but your gp should be able to assess and decide that after a bit more info and having examined you.

Oh, my iPad is in another time zone to everyone else apparently...