Not getting this xrayed

[ACupOfTeaSolvesEverything]

Am I being foolish or sensible I can’t decide?

First week of the summer holidays I hurt my toe playing with DS. My second toe is longer than all the others and I whacked it quite hard while barefoot. Instant agony - seeing stars type - and it felt like my toe crumpled but when I looked at it there was no bruising and it seemed to be in one piece although very sore.

I assumed I had broken or sprained it and figured there’s not much to be done for either so took some ibuprofen, iced it and did nothing else.

Fast forward 11 weeks and it’s still constantly sore, never been any bruising but I’ve been getting numbness and tingling alternating with pain. I can walk on it but if DS or the dogs bump into it it really hurts. Long walks aren’t great. I want to start running again but can’t with this toe.

Is there any point in sitting in A&E for 6 hours to have an X-ray if there’s nothing to be done? What if it’s just a sprain and I’ve wasted their time and mine? Am I being an idiot not going?

I can’t go this week anyway so have time to decide. I’m working long hours Mon-Wed (can’t get out of it, my mum died a few weeks ago and I’m freelance so had a period not working. I have to do these 3 days booked on in order to pay bills) and I’m away Thurs/Fri at my granny’s funeral.

If it’s broken could it still be ok on its own? Is it silly to think it might be broken and should I just suck it up?

I’m not sure there’s much they can do for a broken toe other than strap it. It’s not a (recent) accident or emergency so I wouldn’t go to a and e, can you see a nurse practitioner? Ours will refer for an X-ray at a specific time so (not much) waiting at the hospital. Sorry for your losses

What will you gain not getting it xrayed? clearly you aren’t coping with the injury which means it’s likely to need surgical intervention. I’m not sure whAt your AIBU is?

What would I gain? Several hours waiting and time wasted (not just mine but NHS time too) if there’s nothing to be done.
I am coping and if it’s just a case of waiting longer for it to get better I’ll put up and shut up.

RobinsParasiticEye that sounds like a good idea might see if I can see the nurse at the GP

It's not an emergency. Go to your GP and they will refer you if necessary.

They only x ray the big toe. It can take up to six months to fully heal especially if you keep banging it. Sorry

They only x ray the big toe. It can take up to six months to fully heal especially if you keep banging it. Sorry

That’s really helpful thanks Oysterbabe xx

Sorry I mean Crockof!

Numbness would make me want to check it out.

I smashed up a big toe and a little toe a year ago. Clearly broken. No xray. Told to rest up and protect it for a few weeks. No restrictive shoes (easy as I did it in NZ summer so 6 months of flip flops!) as there was nothing they could do for it.

It bloody hurt for a good few months but I was back running in 2 months. Stopped hurting completely after about 4 months.

I think an X-ray might be advisable but don’t go to A&E, it’s not the only way to get it X-rayed and not an emergency! go to your GP who can book an X-ray appointment if after examination they think that it’s a good idea.

When I broke a toe it did take ages and ages to stop hurting. It was bruised black for a while. Strapping it to the next toe did help a bit as it was kind of flapping around 🤮.

Unfortunately unless it’s hugely deformed there is probably no point in presenting now. Toes are bastards.

GP appointment who will very likely say you need a referral because it's interfering with your ability to stay fit and healthy - not being able to run any more is bad, and numbness and tingling --> loss of sensation is really bad for longer term balance and mobility (let alone the risk of a missed infection if you can't feel the pain). I would definitely mention the not running/pain/pins and needles/loss of sensation very clearly to the GP. It may well be absolutely fine and need nothing done but it might benefit from a bit of a tweak and that would be well worth it to get you running again.