To go to A&E for this

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DD age 15 hurt her elbow yesterday. She was getting a piggy back from her sister however fell off backwards and landed with all her weight on the tip of it. Was on concrete too so quite a hard blow!

It isn’t too painful, a bit achy, however there is a specific spot where if she leans on or touches it is definitely very tender. Today there is no swelling or bruising, and yesterday it was just a tiny bit puffy and red. She can move it normally but it sometimes a little stiff after icing or rest.

I really have no idea what to do! I feel like if it was broken she would be in more pain but feel guilty for risking it incase she is. Normally I’d use minor injuries in this situation but our local one is closed at the minute so A&E is the only option!

Any input would be much appreciated!!

No, put like that it doesn't sound too serious. Rest, ice and painkillers- should be better in a few days.

It doesn’t sounds broken. Ring 111 for out of hours advice.

Use NHS Direct as normal I think?

I'd be inclined to phone the GP out of hours or A&E and ask for advice. Like you say, you don't have the option to go to minor injuries.

Maybe ask 111 first

Just take painkillers, rest it, if she's got full movement and it's just a bit tender to touch it's unlikely to be broken. Unnecessary to ring 111 or a gp. Just take a sensible see how it goes approach.

DS fractured his elbow - he was in massive amount of pain and it was swollen and bruised looking. (He then went on to break his shoulder the next day and the same happened there). Your DD doesn’t sound broken but always best to get it checked if you’re genuinely worried

*it being her elbow and not your DD! Also meant “doesn’t sound like your DD’s elbow is broken”

It doesn’t sound broken from what you describe. I would give it a few days of ice, ibuprofen and rest and see how it is after that.

I broke my elbow falling out of a tree and ooooooooooooh did I know about it. It was boiling hot and even breathing hurt.

So no I would probably rest and ice and reassess in a couple of days.

I fractured the radial head on my elbow and had similar symptoms. Didnt bother going to the hospital for a couple of weeks and continued using my arm. Now 18 months and 3 months of physiotherapy before lockdown , it's only just healing from nerve damage. I'd get it checked out

No need for A&E and I wouldn't put ice on it either. The ice kills the pain and stiffens the ligaments/tendons. That means after icing it she's more likely to do more damage. I'd soak in warm water to keep it supple until it heals.

maybe chipped a bone , best get it looked at

I've broken the bone just below my elbow twice (the second time I broke both bones).

Both times, it was incredibly bruised, but not very painful. Mind you, I also had a painful broken wrist both times, so maybe the pain was overshadowed by that.

This is difficult, a friend of mine fractured her leg once and was walking around afterwards like it was no bother! The only reason they found out is because it was a bit sore so her mum made her get it checked out to be safe, otherwise honestly they probably wouldn’t have realised! But 9/10 times it’s not broken! I’d call 111 and find out the things to look out for if it’s more serious!

Update: Rang 111 who were frankly useless! Told me to use my own judgement 🙄

Spoken to physio friend who said to continue with ice + ibuprofen for a few days and see how we go. If still painful we will take her to A&E.

Use ice and rest for a day or so. Run your fingers down the outside of the arm (before icing) inside of the arm and the other side. The nerves run there. If there is normal sensation. Good. Put the elbow through the full range of movement and move all fingers and wrist. Twist it palm up and down. If there is significant pain, any numbness or tingling, go to a&e. If it's all normal and just point tenderness where it's pressed, I'd say there is just tenderness over one of the nerves that run through the elbow joint, and not an issue. Ice, rest and pain relief. If it worsens in anyway then go to a&e minor injuries unit.

there is a specific spot where if she leans on or touches it is definitely very tender

Tell her not to lean on it.
It will feel sore and bruised for several days.

@LadyFelicityMontague She’s not exactly doing it on purpose?

Update: Turns out it was a hairline fracture 😬

Was very achy + a bit tingly last night and so decided to take her on in to A&E this morning. Got seen + xrayed very quickly. Doc said it wasn’t that uncommon for fractures like these to go unnoticed. No nerve damage or anything thank goodness, just inflammation causing tingling. Because it’s a stable fracture no cast needed which DD is happy about :)

Why can't you use the GP?

@Mikeymoo12 GPs don’t do xrays..

good job you got it sorted

Go get it xrayed. I was walking on a broken foot for a couple days it wasn't swollen but it hurt.

I'm glad you took her! I was about to say that people can't possibly say it's not broken through Mumsnet. They can't even see it!

I hope she has a speedy recovery.