Fracture or sprain for toddler - gp or A and E?

[Scared129]

My 15 month old’s left foot seemed like it was bothering her on Tuesday. There was no fall, or an event that me and DH can think of that would have caused it. She walks on it but does turn her foot slightly. Happy in herself so we thought it was a sprain, as she tends to hold it out and doesn’t want to move it, but after resting it for a can move it freely. It’s almost like she’s holding it out? First thing in the morning it’s perfectly fine! As soon as she walks it (quite happily) she then holds it out stiffly. Anyway, we read that for a sprain, keep it as rested as possible and it should start healing in 48 hours.
So it’s still the same today and now I’m freaking the hell out that it is actually a fracture, and with us not bothering with a gp we’ve delayed healing and I am just really panicking that it’s going to be seriously damaged now!
I’m on the phone to 111 but of course, the wait is taking forever. She’s asleep now, but tomorrow I don’t know whether to just skip the gp and go straight to a and e. I’ve read gps can’t diagnose a fracture and will just send us to a and e anyway? Please can someone advise!? Feeling really sick with worry!

A&E/minor injuries if you have one. Only an x-ray can diagnose a fracture and you can only get that via A&E.

I’d take my kid to a&e for something like that.

If you suspect a fracture I would take her to a minor injuries unit (MIU) or A & E as they have the facilities to X-ray where most GP’s don’t.

Yeah I'd go to a and e tomorrow

I would go A&E ASAP as I would be questioning why someone didn't take a baby to the hospital for a possible fracture

Try giving 111 a ring as they might be able to set an appointment up for you so you're not waiting as long. Or your GP may be able to do the same.

Minor injuries/ a and e - but in my area you need to speak to 111 first and get an arrival pass (unless emergency of course)

A&E / minor injuries, 111 first if not sure which in your area

Take her down to A&E tomorrow, just to get her checked out.

My DS fell off a low balancing bar in the park at 3, and the next day was limping a bit. DH took him to the hospital minor injuries unit, who sent them to A&E because they MI unit don’t see anyone under 12! I wasn’t there (at home with newborn DD) but apparently they were very thorough and asked lots and lots of questions about how it happened, did an x-ray (which had to be checked over by a consultant as they couldn’t tell if there was a small fracture) but in the end they sent DS home as it wasn’t fractured and he was walking round ok. Little monster was bouncing around totally normal the next day

111 will more than likely tell you to go to A&E.
If you ever suspect a fracture your GP won't be able to help so just go straight to A&E or an Urgent Care centre if you have one nearby. Hope your baby is ok x

I would take her to A&E now, I'm not sure why anyone is suggesting you wait until tomorrow with a potential fracture which has already been left 2 days.

Same thing happened to DS (though he was a bit older). I phoned the GP on advice from his nursery and the practice nurse gave it a poke around and was able to diagnose it as a sprain

A&E first thing in the morning when it's quiet, best case you'll get an xray and be in and out quickly. They will need an xray either way so don't waste time going to go first

If you are querying a fracture then GP is pointless.
A and E or minor injury but check if they see children.

Go to A&E tomorrow morning. The fracture clinic may need to check the x rays and are probably closed now (speaking from experience)

Just beware even an appointment doesn't mean you have to wait. I had one for 6.40pm this evening due to DS dropping a mental bench on his foot. We have yet to even be triaged.

And that's for a suspected fracture

@toastantea because it may not be a fracture, it's likely to be busy at the moment and a toddler is going to be tired and fractious at this time.

I'd wait til the morning too and ring 111

We're going to A and E first thing tomorrow. Thank you everyone!

[quote underneaththeash]@toastantea because it may not be a fracture, it's likely to be busy at the moment and a toddler is going to be tired and fractious at this time.

I'd wait til the morning too and ring 111[/quote]

And it may be a fracture.

OP has decided to wait so it's irrelevant now.

So my son has been seen and they are fairly sure it is fractured. Except X-ray is now closed so we've been told to come back in the morning. If MIU are recommending that, I can't see the OP is doing anything wrong by waiting until the morning.

Def a&e you often find minor injuries aren’t keen on tiny ones and you may get sent there anyway. If you’ve got paeds hospital even better hopefully it’s nothing. We spend 48 hours in hospital because my son hurt his leg and wouldn’t weight bare and I was told best thing is to get these things checked. Thankfully he was fine but was only 18 months or so. Take care op hope all is well tomorrow