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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not take DS to A&E

176 replies

IAmADancer · 09/01/2023 13:09

asking for your thoughts.

DS has dropped a 2kg dumbbell on his foot. He thought he would ‘try and see if he could lift it’

I have iced it, raised it and tried to get swelling down. He originally said it didn’t hurt but he’s now saying it’s painful to touch and he is walking in a funny way. DH said to take him to A&E, I feel this isn’t best course of action. GP won’t do anything.

I have attached a picture, am I being a bad mother not taking him to A&E? It is swollen but I think they’ll just say to ice it and give painkillers

To not take DS to A&E
OP posts:
ArtixLynx · 09/01/2023 14:05

it may not be broken, i had someone run over my foot with a heavy quad bike, didn't break it, but it DID bruise badly and cause what is essentially internal bone fracturing/crush injury.

Still needed an x-ray either way. the nerve damage was the worst bit about that healing.

Phos · 09/01/2023 14:07

Definitely the right call to take him to A&E. My daughter broke her arm so badly in September she needed surgery but after the initial crying she wasn't screaming in pain either.

Xrays · 09/01/2023 14:07

I think it needs checking. I broke my foot in two places jumping some stairs as a 10 year old. I walked home on it (along the street, from my friends house) and when I got home it was turning black like your photo - I was whisked off to A and E and was in plaster for 6 weeks….!

Rebel2023 · 09/01/2023 14:09

I walked on a broken foot and ankle for a good week Blush
Also broke the other foot when I was a child and mum thought I was taking the piss. She took me when it turned black with bruising Hmm

Scotty12 · 09/01/2023 14:10

I would go to your nearest minor injuries. It needs an x ray.

BradfordGirl · 09/01/2023 14:10

Choose a quiet time to go.
Even if it is broken there may be no treatment.

edwinbear · 09/01/2023 14:10

That definitely needs an x-ray - swelling and bruising can be a symptom of a break. DS broke a finger playing rugby a couple of months back, he wasn't screaming in agony but it was bruised and swollen and it turned out it was a break. Glad to see you're going to get him checked out - hope you're not waiting too long!

FernsAndFlowers · 09/01/2023 14:11

I had an almost identical injury last year (but 15kg 😞). Managed to drive myself home but felt very sick. Break to toe was clean but A&E took it fairly seriously as an injury as they were initially concerned the bones were displaced and would need an op

Spidey66 · 09/01/2023 14:15

How long ago was the accident? If it was a couple of hours ago, that looks nasty. I think it's broken and will look much worse tomorrow. I'd take him to Minor Injuries or A&E and I'm not one to rush to A&E for nothing.

Original poster
IAmADancer · 09/01/2023 14:15

At the hospital. They have set up a minor injuries unit that you get triaged from after attending A&E.

Just waiting for an x-ray. Staff have been brilliant and it’s been very quick

OP posts:
GoT1904 · 09/01/2023 14:19

Aw hope he's okay!! I broke several bones in my youth & all had varying degrees of pain and bruising, so it's hard to know. You had a very valid reason to go though. Hopefully you won't have to wait much longer.

HappyNewYear2023 · 09/01/2023 14:20

Good luck OP, hope its not broken because walking in the boot is a right pain.

Wotrewelookinat · 09/01/2023 14:20

I think you need to go. My DD fractured a toe doing a random thing in the garden, she wasn’t screaming in pain etc but couldn’t walk on it.

HowcanIhelp123 · 09/01/2023 14:21

Pain isn't always an indicator of a break. I have sprained my ankle several times and it hurt like hell. Broke my arm (very obvious, you could see the bone sticking out but hadn't broken the skin) and I felt no pain at all!

Deathbyfluffy · 09/01/2023 14:21

Good luck, and keep us posted with how long it takes etc - hopefully not too long!

SirVixofVixHall · 09/01/2023 14:24

Glad he is being seen quickly, and hopefully no broken bones.

ladycarlotta · 09/01/2023 14:38

glad he's being seen! It does look like my foot when I broke a metatarsal. Luckily that just required a few weeks in a boot rather than full plaster.

BradfordGirl · 09/01/2023 14:39

Glad it is so quick.

Y7drama · 09/01/2023 14:44

Glad you decided to go to A&E, hope it isn’t broken

Untitledsquatboulder · 09/01/2023 14:44

Good call OP. One of my colleagues spent a good month hobbling around in his "sprained" ankle before finally going to a&e and is now sporting a bright pink pot because, yes, it was broken after all.

Iguanainanigloo · 09/01/2023 14:46

There's definitely alot of swelling, so glad you're getting it checked just incase!

kittensinthekitchen · 09/01/2023 14:49

Isn't this where you would call 111 who would signpost you for where to go/make you an appointment if needed?

MotherOfCrocodiles · 09/01/2023 14:53

Those saying "why on earth wouldn't you go to a and e" - that's rather disingenuous. Unless you live under a rock, you know full well why OP is wondering whether they should go. No need to make them feel bad.

PollyPut · 09/01/2023 14:56

Take him somewhere. 111 can refer to minor injury unit. Good chance it's broken, it needs an X ray. If you don't then school will ask you about it so you really don't have much choice - assuming he is old enough for school

They will no doubt ask why he has access to 2kg dumbbells. Have you already locked them out of reach?

Preparedforjobnottolast · 09/01/2023 15:02

Please get it checked no matter how silly you feel or how long it takes in A&E at this time. You’ll be doing every best thing by your son for when he is older.
Know someone with bad puffed up feet now unable to wear the shoes they would really want in adult years.

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