Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to A&E for a broken finger?

46 replies

VioletteValentia · 08/04/2018 17:56

A week ago I fell on a clenched fist, and my little finger swelled up and turned black. I assumed it was broken and left it as they can’t do much for a broken finger.

However it’s healing like this. I can’t bend the top knuckle and it still hurts. The tip is numb and tingly. Would you go to A&E for this? Picture included, last one is my other finger for comparison.

To go to A&E for a broken finger?
To go to A&E for a broken finger?
To go to A&E for a broken finger?
OP posts:
Original poster
VioletteValentia · 08/04/2018 17:57

First, not last.

OP posts:
Flampingu · 08/04/2018 17:58

At this point it’s not really an emergency is it? Go to the gp.

Flampingu · 08/04/2018 17:58

Or minor injuries

jamoncrumpets · 08/04/2018 17:59

Is there a minor injury unit near you? Might be a quieter and faster option.

Helpthem2018 · 08/04/2018 17:59

No, is it an emergency? Get an appointment with your GP or surgery nurse

TeeBee · 08/04/2018 17:59

Ouch! Yes go, they may straighten it and left like that you might end up with premature joint problems.

SaucyJane · 08/04/2018 17:59

This happened to my DF and it was set badly, so now it sticks out permanently.

I would go to your dr tomorrow, not a&e tonight.

Looks painful :(

Batinahat · 08/04/2018 18:00

I would not go to A&E for this. I would leave unless was painful to the point that painkillers don't control the pain and would either see GP using a routine appointment to check how it's healing or use the minor injuries centre we have here where you are seen as a walk in and they can do x-rays and treat simple breaks. The wait is very short compared to A&E and this is exactly the kind of thing it is designed for.

Original poster
VioletteValentia · 08/04/2018 18:03

Painkillers work, there is a minor injuries unit I could try. I’m just worried it won’t heal, I already have joint problems.

OP posts:
GlitterGlue · 08/04/2018 18:07

Go to minor injuries. If they can't x-ray they should be able to refer you x-ray. Broken fingers should be checked out when they happen to avoid them starting to heal incorrectly.

peacheachpearplum · 08/04/2018 18:12

When I had something similar I was sent to A & E as our minor injuries couldn't do x rays.

noeffingidea · 08/04/2018 18:13

Did you tape it to the next finger? That acts as a splint, immobolises it and helps it to set in the correct position.

tararabumdeay · 08/04/2018 18:13

Please go and get it checked out. Fingers are very important for typing, guitar and piano never mind other stuff.

They'll x-ray, probably give you a compression bandage which really helps to ease the pain - ask for 2 as they need washing and wearing one is such a relief. Also, may refer to physio.

These things take ages to heal.

Old joke:
'Will I be able to play the piano?'
'Yes!'
'Wow! That's great news, I couldn't before.'

Get it checked.

Sparklefloof · 08/04/2018 18:16

For future reference, I went to A&E after my fingers got crushed between 2 dumbbells. They weren't pissed off at me for turning up to A&E (it was a quiet Sunday evening to be fair), and it was a good job I went as I shattered a fingertip (the nurse was shocked) and broke another. They referred me to plastics and I had multiple biweekly appointments to make sure it was healing properly otherwise they would have had to operate on it!

Go to minor injuries if you can or your GP so they can ensure that it heals properly.

tissuesosoft · 08/04/2018 18:17

I would go to minor injuries so they can X-ray and make sure it’s healing right

Darkstar4855 · 08/04/2018 18:18

It needs an x-ray to see if there is a fracture so pointless going to the GP. It may also need splinting to avoid it healing in the wrong position so it is important to get it looked at.

If you don’t have a local minor injuries unit then yes, A&E is appropriate. We don’t have an MIU nearby so our A&E unit has a minor injuries nurse practitioner who is there specifically to see this kind of thing.

crunchymint · 08/04/2018 18:18

You should always go to A&E with broken fingers. I would go now.

Original poster
VioletteValentia · 08/04/2018 18:20

My minor injuries unit doesn’t X-ray, I know that much

OP posts:
Moreisnnogedag · 08/04/2018 18:20

That looks like a mallet finger and needs splinting (but not just to the next one, but straight with a mallet splint).

Flampingu · 08/04/2018 18:21

Crunchy it’s been broken for a week though.

Flampingu · 08/04/2018 18:21

Do you have nhs 24? I’d phone them for advice.

Moreisnnogedag · 08/04/2018 18:22

If you’re minor injuries unit doesn’t XR go to A&E, not GP. If its a bony mallet (I.e. with a fracture), they are sometimes repaired surgically. You don;t have to leg it to A&E but not as in a few days time.

Original poster
VioletteValentia · 08/04/2018 18:22

Googled, yeah it does look like a mallet finger. I had never heard of this.

OP posts:
Moreisnnogedag · 08/04/2018 18:26

Fairly common. Almost all treated with prolonged splintage. The main thing is to see if there is a fracture and if so whether it’s the type that needs fixing. You may get placed in to see the hand therapists rather than a doctor and they do the treating if its a soft tissue mallet.

BoreOfWhabylon · 08/04/2018 18:28

Was just going to say that Moreis.

OP, it is likely that you have damaged the tendon at the end of the finger. It's a relatively common injury but it won't heal properly on its own.

It needs proper assessment and treatment so Minor Injuries or A&E tomorrow.

Swipe left for the next trending thread