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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

7yo DS has stitches underneath foot/toes and can’t walk ...

63 replies

EmmaLouisLou · 15/09/2019 08:11

AIBU to buy him crutches and send to school Monday?

DH went in with DS during stitching and reported back that the advice was to keep clean and dry, he’s fine to walk on heel but not toes as could re-open wound, cover it with a sock and see GP on Monday. Our GP only gives same day appointments to under 5s. If I get through on the phone Monday morning he may get an emergency appointment but not guaranteed, next bookable appointment is 2nd October so I’ll have to phone each morning hoping for emergency appt. He’s currently moving round house on bum/hands with foot in air. Will not stand at all as it hurts even if just heel is on floor.

OP posts:
CCC1 · 15/09/2019 08:17

I had crutches following a foot injury recently. I had to have a physio show me how to use them before I could be discharged as crutches can be a liability in themselves. I’d persist with the GP though maybe an appt with a practice nurse will be more suitable for this type of injury and easier to get.

DriftingLeaves · 15/09/2019 08:21

Keep him home for a few days. He could easily hurt himself again in the business of a school day.

User12879923378 · 15/09/2019 08:22

Crutches are not easy to use and even when you've got the hang of them you feel very vulnerable and wobbly on them. He might find negotiating school corridors a bit tricky and scary. Also he's in some pain by the sound of it. Does your GP have a sit and wait clinic or alternatively is there a minor injuries health centre that you could go to?

Booboostwo · 15/09/2019 08:23

What do you hope the GP will do?
Get him crutches, you can get them next day on Amazon or there may be a mobility shop near you (call them first, they don’t all stock pediatric crutches). If he can’t cope with crutches, which some children can’t at that age, a walking frame might be an alternative. Your local hospital may be able to loan you one. Failing all that, a small child could fit in a buggy until the foot heels.

VolcanionSteamArtillery · 15/09/2019 08:24

Hes 7. Keep him home a few days.

Original poster
EmmaLouisLou · 15/09/2019 08:27

Thanks @CCC1 am sure he’d need help learning to use crutches.

I’ll try and get any appointment Monday, they often have a telephone appointment so you speak to GP first before they make you a face to face one. Will keep him at home meantime as he’s not really mobile.

OP posts:
PristineCondition · 15/09/2019 08:27

Have you ever used crutches? It's hard .yabu and rather mean

MrsElizabethShelby · 15/09/2019 08:29

Op I am very sure the DR will see your DS tomorrow when you explain about the a&e visit as they will need to check the wound and help you to keep it clean and manage his pain if paracetamol/ibuprofen isn't cutting it.

Personally I would keep him off school until he has seen the GP.

You cannot risk him walking on the stitches and school are very unlikely to be able to keep a close eye on him.

Tokenismjest · 15/09/2019 08:30

I had similar on my foot & had to keep weight off it as much as possible for a couple of weeks! The problem is that if your child does too much you risk the wound not healing properly & long term issues.

He’s seven and in pain, why would you send him in? My foot wound hurt way beyond what I was expecting! School is not the right environment right now.

Kyvia · 15/09/2019 08:32

Drives me nuts when other HCPs say ‘book a recheck with your GP in 2 days’..... yeah like that’s going to happen! I’ve had that from minor injuries and from A&E as well. Tbf tho even when the GP says ‘come back in a week’ the receptionist tends to say no. Oh for a joined-up system!

Where would you buy child-size crutches from on a Sunday though? Sounds impractical as well.

Pinkypurple35 · 15/09/2019 08:34

I’d keep him off school for a couple of days, until the pain from the injury has lessened. He may be able to walk on his heel in a few days when it’s subsided.
Do your hospital not have crutches? I got some from the hospital after X-ray after I fell a few months ago? They are cumbersome and difficult to use.

BigChocFrenzy · 15/09/2019 08:34

Try the crutches
I used crutches at age 61 without training, after being told not to put any weight on torn ankle ligaments
It was really easy

ssd · 15/09/2019 08:38

Keep him off school and don't be so mean. He's 7 and in pain. And probably scared. School is busy with lots of walking/activity. Have you used crutches all day at 7??
Im taking it you can't get him back soon enough due to work. Some you need to take the time off and bite the bullet. Your son comes first.

ssd · 15/09/2019 08:40

Bloody hell, 61 and 7 is a bit different, what do you want, a medal??

madcatladyforever · 15/09/2019 08:42

Ask the surgery to get him a special boot from the hospital. You can probably go in and pick one up. They have boots that offload the forefoot. Much easier than crutches.

Original poster
EmmaLouisLou · 15/09/2019 08:43

@User12879923378. We took him to the local emergency care centre (used to be called walk-in) for the stitches, they did them there under gas and air and local anaesthetic as the waiting times at paediatric a&e are very long. They didn’t have any child size crutches but said he can walk on the heel (we he can’t, at least not yet).

@Booboostwo the nurse who stitched his foot said to see GP Monday for wound to be checked and advice on how to look after it. I’m thinking maybe they’ll mention crutches or something as he can’t stand?

Thanks for all replies, there’s such a culture at our school for kids to attend even when ill/injured (ofsted attendance %) that I always question my judgement at keeping them home.

OP posts:
joblotbubble · 15/09/2019 08:43

Bloody hell, it wouldn't even cross my mind to send him into school until he had been seen by the GP.

The medical advice was to see the GP, not to buy crutches and send him in to school. I understand it can be difficult but you are looking for a follow up appointment after an emergency procedure not a routine appointment (which is one of the things emergency appointments cover). I'm the event that they really don't have a GP available, ask to see one of the nurses. They can check all is ok and if there are any problems or questions they will bring a GP through to check it anyway.

Please don't send him to school without being seen. It's the exact opposite of the advice you were given.

madcatladyforever · 15/09/2019 08:43

Ring the appliances department at the hospital direct and see if they can help.

BillywigSting · 15/09/2019 08:46

Ask him what he would prefer to do, but personally I would be inclined to keep him off.

He is obviously in some significant pain. I would also be hounding gp for better pain relief for him. Otc stuff clearly isn't cutting it (no surprises there)

He is far too likely to knock his foot in school and re-injure it which would cause a whole host of problems in the long run. Foot injuries hurt an awful lot in proportion to their size and stitches are uncomfortable too. They pull and ache.

Go and see a pharmacist today and see if they can give him something better for the pain (otc cocodamol or something), chase gp tomorrow and let him rest and heal.

lifecouldbeadream · 15/09/2019 08:46

Honestly- see the practice nurse- they are very very experienced in dealing with wounds, in general far more so than the GP.

Sooverthemill · 15/09/2019 08:47

I'm 100% certain the GP surgery will receive electronic notification of emergency appointment and will know the discharge advice. Therefore they will know the need for urgent appointment. However GPS won't be the appropriate medic it will be practice nurse who will see and advise. They see post ops for wound care and dressings changes and can refer for crutches if need be. Almost always an on call nurse available just like for on call GP. Don't stress surgery will sort you all out

Sooverthemill · 15/09/2019 08:48

Sorry, so when you call GP explain emergency appointment and say follow up for wound card and they will know who to book you with

Original poster
EmmaLouisLou · 15/09/2019 08:51

@ssd I’m just considering options, with school culture round here being you take them unless they’re admitted to hospital I always question my decisions!

I work from home so am here and am completely flexible, I gave up my old job and started own business to enable me to always be on call while kids are small. He’s keen to get crutches, have not discussed school with him yet, I think a whole day using them will be tiring. I think he’ll be ok around the house with them, he does elite gymnastics and has very strong core / upper body and good balance.

@madcatladyforever thanks for advice, will ask GP about boot. Looking up online, stitches beneath foot take up to 3 weeks to heal, hospital already said they’re in a bad place as they’re behind toe on joint so might reopen if he moves toes.

OP posts:
yikesanotherbooboo · 15/09/2019 08:52

You don't need to see the GP , they will have nothing to add. Make an appointment to see the practice nurse who can check and redress the wound. They will ask the Dr to have a look if there is any sign of infection. The usual advice would be to stay off it until the wound is healed which will be about 7-10 days and even then to be very careful. I don't think you can expect a primary aged child to remember not to put their foot down, crutches or no crutches or indeed for the school to supervise him. The GP won't have crutches although you might be able to access them from A&E , however I don't think they would be suitable for the hurly burly of junior school. I would speak to his teacher or HM and ask for their advice about school when you have seen the nurse and got their opinion about how long he is likely to be unable to weight bear.

BigFatLiar · 15/09/2019 08:54

Call the surgery on Monday. As Soover says you'll probably get the practice nurse who'll deal with it and if it needs a GP's attention she/he will refer on quickly.

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