hospital or wait for minor unit tomorrow?

[SweetStrawberry]

hello,

I started a new exercise regime beginning of the month and since last weekend, I've had a very painful ankle/calf. Really struggle to bear weight on the affected ankle. I am able to walk on it but it really hurts to and aches.

Cannot go on to tip toes, it feels like I've got pins and needles if I lift it off the ground. Even touching it hurts (my toddlers have been drawn to it since its happened I swear and have run into it multiple times!)

I've done rest, ice, elevate etc. but I'm not sure if I should see how it goes or go to hospital/minor unit.

one reason I'm considering hospital is because I have people to help with my toddlers today, noone can during the week and minor unit is open 9-5 weekdays.

does it sound like just a nasty sprain? I don't want to do any more damage as its not really easing up.

This is not an A&E problem. It does not need an x-ray. It can wait for minor injuries, and to be honest they will likely just advise painkillers and rest.

A GP of 20 years suggests that OP just Google self care and leave the NHS alone.
That says a lot too.

Indeed it does. Perhaps it's time to stop attacking the messenger and LISTEN to us. Because on the whole we have given up and are leaving in droves. Surely you must wonder why?

Wait another week and then seek advice from your GP if it still hurts

I just asked for advice - I don't have a medical background or know anyone who does and it's a Sunday, GP and minor units shut.

I've already said it was the fact I am loosing sensation in the affected foot that is what has alarmed me. I feel damned if you do, damned if you don't. I'm sure if I rushed off as soon as I'd done it I'd of had people saying why would you not of rested, iced etc. and wait and see? I've done that and it's not improved, it's gotten worse and I am now loosing feeling in that foot.

I am going to go to minor unit tomorrow. I have asked on my local group page and have been told that they are able to x ray. I have decided its not worth taking any chances with the feeling starting to go and I am sorry to the GP who commented that feels people are wasting their time but if it does turn out to be more than a sprain it's me who has to live and deal with it.

a&e Is for emergencies not this

Not RTFT, but my first guess would be a strained achilles tendon. Not worth a wait at A&E. Just rest it.

Good luck OP.
Loosing sensation could be nerve damage. You are doing the right thing by going to get checked out.
Like I said in a previous comment, a friend was told off for not seeking medical attention as she made her injury worse.

Oops that will teach me not to skip the thread! 😳🤣

All I see is a GP telling someone to leave them alone and just Google how to self treat (and self diagnose what could be a complex injury.. I am sure as a GP you know how many tendons and bones are in a foot/ankle).
I am sure you would give a bollocking to someone who did the above and walked on a fracture for weeks. Happened with my friend with a severe sprain. Another lady who carried on with what she assumed was a sprain, and then felt a pop during Pilates. Broken metatarsal. Cost a ton for the NHS as she had a lot of scans to rule out bone cancer... because you don't tend to break bones doing pilates.
Is happening with me. I am taking your advice and doing self care. Nearly 3 weeks and my foot is still painful. I have taken your advice and not seen anyone about it. When am I allowed to bother the NHS?
If people can not see a GP for things like this, then what are you there for?

I hate this attitude of 'dont bother the GPs or NHS'. Yes, obviously rest, ice etc. But if it's still painful and losing sensation then OP should go and see Dr, of course she should.

Pp may be a GP but I've had some rubbish GPs in the past and so have my family and friends. One in particular that told a family member that they had RSI after multiple Dr visits with no referral for x-ray, turns out after seeing a locum who sent for an emergency x-ray that they had bone cancer. Drs aren't infallible and shouldn't tell someone in pain with loss of sensation that they should not be seen.

A vote for GP tomorrow who can assess it. They will then get you an X-ray appointment if necessary without taking up time in a&e or a walk in

just to update

weird injury tbh, apparently my heel has collapsed through overuse and muscle weakness (forgive me ill make mistakes here but they explained it great). So my ligaments and nerves are all being trapped/rubbed/inflamed as my foot is pushing out to the side when I do anything. which is why it feels like its been getting worse and why I'm loosing feeling in random areas.

currently have a very fetching ankle support boot looking thing and have been referred for physio. Wont be dancing for a few months but cleared for swimming and cycling.

short of it - if you think something is amiss go with your gut. I

No, A&E is not appropriate. If it’s not life or limb threatening it can wait.

Thanks for the update. Hope that rest will give it a chance to repair.

short of it - if you think something is amiss go with your gut

Absolutely

Am glad you ignored the folks telling you to rely on Google, and you got a proper assessment.

I hope you are back on your feet properly soon

Read your own link, you 'nana.

It says phone 111 if it doesn't improve (it hasn't) or got to A&E if it is numb (it is).

@XenoBitch thank you. the official diagnosis is posterior tibial tendonitis dysfunction - its progressive so if I hadn't been given the exercises and the foot brace I currently have it would of gotten worse and worse. stage 2 currently!

I think this is where Google is great but also not at the same time. dangerous to self diagnose

@memorial I understand that your job is extremely challenging atm but you were completely wrong about what my problem was and had I left it, it would of gotten worse and worse. People like me are not the reason GPs are leaving their jobs. However. if your empathy level is that low now it probably is time to move on, you sound burnt out and very angry