To think I should go to hospital?

[Soreashell]

I stumbled down the last few stairs 9 days ago and injured my foot. I went A & E and was x-rayed and told it was bruised and was I given crutches and told to take pain killers.
Bruising has come out but it is still killing me, a bad ache like toothache and enough to keep me awake at night. Also by late afternoon it is swollen again and hot. It hurts from my big toe running to my ankle and underneath the foot on that side.

Is this usual with a bruising injury and will it just take a bit longer or do I need to go back do you think?

@Darlingmikita I think the woman who died from a fractured femur was a very rare event and didn't even get an x-ray at first, not really comparable to op's case.

But a new fracture can be missed, and will be more evident in x-ray once it starts healing. Try GP / walk in centre or minor injuries before going down the a&e route.

Don’t self treat. We still have an NHS that’s free at the point of use.

I wouldn’t use ibuprofen as that can impair new bone growth.

@whocanbebothered ffs you take the MN "don't waste the NHS's time" to a whole new level!

Some of this advice is potentially dangerous. Do not buy a boot and self treat a suspected fracture FFS. Fractures need fracture clinic appointments and follow up xrays and possible physio.

Hot is a worry, you should definitely go back to A&E as could be infected.

@MiniMum97

Unless the skin is broken, why would it be infected?

These threads are so dangerous.

One person warning about sepsis.
One saying get a boot from amazon.

How about getting a nursing degree or better still, becoming a doctor; then you may be qualified to give advice. Until then, maybe you should keep your armchair diagnosis's and interventions to yourself.

Unless the skin is broken, why would it be infected?

You can get an infection in a broken bone without the skin being broken. It's very dangerous and something I was told to look out for when I broke my ankle. I had 4 breaks, one of them was a hairline that was missed on the first set of X-rays.

I'd go back. DH had a fractured once missed.

GP is likely to send you back to hospital for x-ray - nothing the GP can do.

and silly to ask this question on Aibu. According to the general Aibu concencus, A&E is for those in death's door step only.

It sounds as if in the UK initially a nurse reads the X-Rays and makes a diagnoses.

We had it recently read by a nurse only in a&e. She told us a consultant and would review the x-ray too later on and call us within 72h to let us know if a follow up is needed. There was definitely no radiologist or doctor involved at the first stage.

I’d ring 111 who may be able to send you straight to a fracture clinic or minor injuries with an x Ray, rather than A&E. But yes - do get it seen one way or another

@whocanbebothered don't give out ridiculous and dangerous advice. A close relative was airlifted to hospital from a major accident and sent home because 'nothing was broken'. His kids fought like hell and got him seen again, he was admitted with a broken pelvis and in a wheelchair for quite some time. If they had followed your advice how do you think that would have ended?

@Iwasatglastothisyear

I don't think advice saying you should get medical advice is in any way dangerous! Had I told her to chop it off I would agree with you!

Soft tissue injuries take ages to treat & hurt a lot more than fractures.
I hope OP is feeling better & this doesn't spoil her holiday plans.