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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wait until tomorrow to go A&E?

31 replies

narisha99 · 06/10/2019 18:30

DS11 injured his hand today and has a suspected scaphoid fracture (wrist). He went to a walk-in clinic earlier today who made the above diagnosis but didn't have Xray facilities.

Should I take him to A&E on a Sunday Night, to get it treated ASAP or would it be better to wait till first thing in the morning? It's been strapped and he is not in pain.

If the diagnosis is confirmed he will need a cast - would they do that tonight or would he have to go back tomorrow?

OP posts:
Trafalger · 06/10/2019 18:32

Scaphoid can be a tricky fracture to diagnose as they don't always show up straight away on xrays. I would think it wouldn't harm to go tomorrow morning early but I wouldn't leave it any later than that.

BettaSplenden · 06/10/2019 18:33

I think get it sorted now. They would be able to plaster straight away of needed. IME a and e on Monday mornings are bad as all those who can't get in gps or those who have waited when they should and go sends them in appear.

redchocolatebutton · 06/10/2019 18:34

tbh I would go now.
they would put a temporary cast on (great for pain relief!) and refer to the fracture clinic for the next appointment(s)

thedevilinablackdress · 06/10/2019 18:35

Did the walk-in clinic not advise?

chillychicken · 06/10/2019 18:35

I’d go now, Monday mornings in our A&E are horrendous.

Reluctantbettlynch · 06/10/2019 18:36

If he has any movement, he could do more damage in his sleep. I would take my DS in this situation. They will probably want you back in the morning for frature clinic.

DeadDoorpost · 06/10/2019 18:37

My DM left me all weekend with a fractured wrist. Nurse went nuts

cushioncovers · 06/10/2019 18:37

What did the staff at the walk in clinic advise?

RoLaren · 06/10/2019 18:38

Do you have a minor injuries department near you? They can xray, diagnose and refer to fracture clinic for treatment in the morning. If he's not in pain then I wouldn't go to A&E, it's not a life threatening emergency.

Lunafortheloveogod · 06/10/2019 18:38

Monday’s are just as bad as Sunday’s with people “waiting till now cause it’d have been busy at the weekend”
If you say to reception or call 111 that a doc/nurse at minor injuries is pretty sure he’s broken his scaphoid they might be able to sort so triage don’t need to look at his arm agree and send on to X-ray and similarly 111 might know of another unit slightly further out with X-ray or the ability to refer you over for one.. that’s all a maybe though.

Original poster
narisha99 · 06/10/2019 18:40

Would they be able to do a cast tonight, or is that something he would need to go back for?

OP posts:
aweedropofsancerre · 06/10/2019 18:40

Your DC needs to go to a and e. My DS injured his wrist a few weeks ago and had a fracture confirmed and went to the fracture clinic the next day. He had it put in a temporary splint the night before. My DD has a nasty fracture in her wrist and it’s a tricky one to diagnose however can be dangerous as it cuts off the blood supply to the hand. Get your DC to a and e

aweedropofsancerre · 06/10/2019 18:42

There not likely to put it in a cast but will put it in a splint or something else to keep it still. The main thing is to get a diagnosis and take it from there

Smelborp · 06/10/2019 18:43

I would go now.

Drogosnextwife · 06/10/2019 18:43

Why would you wait till the morning? Hmm

Original poster
narisha99 · 06/10/2019 18:45

Ah yes hadn't thought of Monday morning being just as busy!

Walk-in clinic were a bit vague and DS was with his grandparents who are 4 hours away - so it's a bit second hand! They are on there way back now - but not due home till 8.30 - so I was thinking it might end up getting a bit late.

But sounds like the consensus is to go today, so will get some reading material ready!

OP posts:
MamaGee09 · 06/10/2019 18:46

I would definitely go now, i wouldn’t wait until tomorrow.

L0bstersLass · 06/10/2019 18:46

I'm surprised the walk-in clinic didn't advise you to take him for an x-ray today, especially with a suspected scaphoid fracture.

PuppyMonkey · 06/10/2019 18:49

I broke my wrist on a Saturday evening once, they put a temporary cast thing on at A&E and then I had to go back in on Monday to get a proper one done. The point is, I think you need to keep it still and covered, because if he’s anything like me it will fucking kill him with the pain otherwise.

imnotalpharius · 06/10/2019 18:50

They might put a back slab on or a splint. I would probably go in the morning, an 11year old doesn't need to be at a&e till gone midnight. Round here you don't get next day fracture clinic appointments either, more like a week. Like someone said above scaphoid breaks don't always show straight away. (I've had a few). Drugs and rest on a pillow.

FelixFelicis6 · 06/10/2019 18:52

Take him tonight, yes it’s late and a faff but you don’t want to risk delaying and causing damage because he moved it or similar - not worth it

BanKittenHeels · 06/10/2019 18:54

I work in A&E and Monday morning is one of our busiest times.
I’d go this evening.
I suspect you’ll end up there over night and see fracture clinic first thing.

Yoohoo16 · 06/10/2019 18:54

Scaphoid breaks are dodgy ones.
Dh done his a couple of years ago. If I remember correctly left untreated for too long, it can cut blood supply to the thumb and worst case would be to lose thumb.

BeanBag7 · 06/10/2019 19:09

If you can wait until morning, it isn't an A&E case. You will be taking up time for proper emergencies and will probably be waiting hours.
If it's really bad, go tonight. If not, go to a minor injuries clinic.

ViaSacra · 06/10/2019 19:11

My dd broke her scaphoid.

With suspected scaphoid fractures, they put the wrist in plaster even if they can't see anything on the x-ray, because it normally takes a while to show up (dd's fracture wasn't visible initially).

They'll take the cast off at about 3 weeks and re-x-ray. At that point, they'll either confirm whether or not there is a fracture - if there is, then it'll be in plaster for another 3 weeks.

If you decide not to take him tonight, please make sure he keeps his wrist as still as possible. Any rotation could displace the bones and lead to him needing surgery rather than just a cast to correct it.