To not take DS to A&E

[IAmADancer]

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

Minor injuries is the place to go with potential fractures.

I would definitely get that checked out. Athough a minor injuries would probably be better than an A & E

I get people don’t necessary read the entire thread, but could they at least read the OP’s posts? Quite hard to go to a minor injuries unit that doesn’t exist.

I'd be surprised if that isn't broken

Oh but everyone has a minor injuries unit (and one that has X-ray available 24/7!!) - well, they must have as the posters suggesting it have one. In our area we do have a minor injuries unit, and it doesn’t have an X-ray department - but the radiologist is only there during outpatient hours as it’s attached to the town’s cottage hospital. The nearest place guaranteed to have an X-ray unit outside of 8-4 monday to Friday is at least an hour in either direction and means going to A&E

Highly likely the metatarsal is fractured. Why would you not take him to get it x rayed? When my husband fractured his foot his was in a cast up to his knee for 6wks.

@IAmADancer was his foot broken or is it just a bad bruise.

I’m not sure if those “read the full thread” comments were at me. I admit I hadn’t realised it was a two day old thread.

but, we can only give advice on our own experience, not taking into account every geographic vagary, and I my health board that’s a very strict “don’t go to a and e, go to minor injuries” type injury.

so it is advice with the beat of intentions.

😂

Good luck! I hope it’s not broken x

She finally went to the A&E which is a good alternative to a non-existent minor injuries department.
Accidentally, I am walking around with a broken pinky toe. It hurts but certainly not to the point I can't do anything, it's taped together and I'm wearing sturdy shoes. The doctor had it x-rayed to make sure it was only the toe and not a bone in the foot that was broken in which case I would have needed a cast.
It also hurt like hell when it happened. I am someone who walked on a broken kneecap for days before I had it checked but this pain, I couldn't even curse or scream, I sounded like an ultrasound rodent repellent as all I could emit was a long buzzing squeak. DH didn't hear me from another room but the dog raced over to me to check if I was still alive to give her breakfast.

Of course he needs to go to an and e. He needs an X-ray.

Perhaps a walk in

😂

Sorry OP.

Yes, that needs checking. Steel yourself for A&E. Fractures can be dangerous when they swell.

Oh she's been.

But the message is the same for everyone. Don't let the MN army guilt you into thinking that fractures are not something we should be bothering the NHS with. They can be dangerous.

Minor injuries should be fine :))

OP we have a minor injuries unit in our city. It’s not A&E but deals with problems such as this. Has your local hospital got one of these?

Yes, you’re being a bad mum. My relative died from a swollen ankle. They had injured it (like they had many times before) only this time a clot spread to their lungs and they died an excruciatingly painful death.

You need it x-rayed. If it were your foot I bet you would go in.

@Intrepidescape did you read the thread? 😂

To those saying minor injuries is pointless because they might not have an x-ray machine, when I fell down the stairs (twice 🙈) first time hurt my ankle, second my elbow. I went to the GP and they could direct refer for x-ray. Went straight to the hospital x-ray area, waited a bit, had my x-ray and got a phone call next day with the results. Bypassed all of A&E and didn't take up their time.

Fractured or not?

That needs to be looked at, take him to A&E.

This is gloriously Mumsnetty.

Days late ✔️ critical of an OP ✔️ totally and utterly mentally fear-mongering ✔️ bonkers event happened to unnamed ‘family member’ ✔️

What did the X-ray show op?

@Intrepidescape wow, that’s quite the post. Well done you.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Hospital and staff were fantastic and it wasn’t broken. He’d just given it a nasty whack causing it to swell very quickly and look like a possible fracture. It ended up being a soft tissue injury. They said no games for the week so he’s very pleased at no hockey, rugby or swimming this week!