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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:
AffIt · 09/01/2023 15:07

The problem with metatarsal / metacarpal breaks (and I speak as a veteran of several) is that, while they aren't necessarily too debilitating as and of themselves, if they heal incorrectly, they can cause problems further down the line.

We have a Minor Injuries clinic that deals with x-rays and minor breaks but I don't think, from memory, they do kids under seven.

Depending on the age of your DS, might be worth just nipping to A&E now? Hopefully not too mad at 3pm on a week day.

And hide the dumbbells!

dizzydizzydizzy · 09/01/2023 15:11

Starlight86 · 09/01/2023 13:11

Perhaps a walk in or minor injury unit?

GP can refer for an xray also instead of waiting in A&E for one.

Yes, but a hospital will give you the results on the spot and deal with it there and then, plus refer you to a fracture clinic.

It will be a more long-winded process with a GP. I know because I've tried it.

Starlight86 · 09/01/2023 15:14

dizzydizzydizzy · 09/01/2023 15:11

Yes, but a hospital will give you the results on the spot and deal with it there and then, plus refer you to a fracture clinic.

It will be a more long-winded process with a GP. I know because I've tried it.

Show quote history

Ah, with my GP i can see them same day and they will give you a wee app for the xray clinic that day.

Ive only ever done it once recently and it was a good. ( im in scotland so maybe different)

lovemelongtime · 09/01/2023 15:14

I dont get people saying "why wouldnt you" - have you not seen the papers or the news - surely anyone would avoid A&E at all costs if at all possible. Go to a minor injuries or walk in clinic instead if you can.

Nameneeded · 09/01/2023 15:26

Not everyone has a minor injuries near them. We do but they never have anyone who's trained to use the x ray machine so after a 3 hour wait there, they send everyone to A&E anyway.

noooope · 09/01/2023 15:40

If she doesn't have minor injuries nearby what else is she meant to do?

ClemDanFango · 09/01/2023 15:43

Glad you decided to go in. I hobbled around for two days on a similar injury and it ended up being a broken 5th metatarsal.

ittakes2 · 09/01/2023 15:53

Ring 111 they should be able to book you an appt for minor injuries xray if you have one locally.

daisyjgrey · 09/01/2023 16:01

I hurt my foot a few years ago, it hurt but it wasn't the end of the world type pain. I hobbled around on it for ages until my partner pointed out it probably shouldn't still be bruised. I'd broken multiple bones in it...

Wagsandclaws · 09/01/2023 16:01

My daughter broke her foot in our paddock - that looks worse than hers.

Glad you are getting it checked out op- hope it's nothing too serous and just bruising.

3littleloves · 09/01/2023 16:02

I'd be really surprised if he hasn't broken a metatarsal! Hope he is ok OP!

familyissues12345 · 09/01/2023 16:27

Ouch, bless him!

Verite1 · 09/01/2023 16:33

I have broken my foot twice and both times I could walk on it (albeit with pain). The first time I walked on it for 6 weeks and caused the fracture to separate even further so treatment was more difficult. Glad you are getting it checked out. It will probably be a boot if broken - they are not too bad.

derelicte · 09/01/2023 16:58

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.

I agree! I don't know why some posters do this. Such an arsey attitude to have! I'm glad the OP was able to take it with such good grace.

OhBitchPeas · 09/01/2023 17:34

What did the X-ray show?

Fremdschämen · 09/01/2023 17:39

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.

"I think it's broken..."

Are you a radiologist or a clinician, Spidey66?

YukoandHiro · 09/01/2023 19:32

Take him to a minor injuries unit - that does look like it needs plaster and checking for internal wounds

Ahhhhhbisto · 09/01/2023 21:28

Hope you are home now @IAmADancer and that your DS is ok.

SnowlayRoundabout · 10/01/2023 01:10

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

What was their conclusion?

Sprogletsmum2 · 10/01/2023 01:14

How is your dc OP?

LadyGAgain · 10/01/2023 01:28

I'm gonna guess 5th metatarsal broken? Boot for 6 weeks.
Im one week down....

BillyNotQuiteNoMates · 10/01/2023 02:27

Hope you’re home now OP and that your DS is ok

SorenLore · 10/01/2023 02:49

Also guessing 5th metatarsal fracture. Hope it's sorted OP.

Teddysbackyard66 · 10/01/2023 02:56

That needs X-raying. Get him to A&E first thing in the morning.

Forgooodnesssakenow · 10/01/2023 03:10

I wouldn't rush to a and e in the current climate for that. I'd ask myself if it was life threatening or unmanageably painful and what the consequences would be if waiting to call 111 and get their advice. Then I'd hope they'd send us to a minor injuries or advise wait until the morning for a GP referral to an x-ray clinic.

3 reasons for this

  1. What are they realistically going to do about a broken pinky toe that can't wait 24 hours if he's not in horrific pain while we rice the foot.
  1. There are up to 12 hour waits in some a and e departments, does this belong in that backlog? Does it serve a child in pain to do that wait rather than have pain relief etc at home then have x-ray tomorrow via GP?
  1. Is it bad enough to risk catching the 50 different communicable diseases we'd leave the hospital with? But then I have a kid with febrile seizures so I worry about this above all else.

Seriously though I'm shocked ho many would attend a and e for this