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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think they won't do anything for a broken pinky?

34 replies

Belsnickel · 20/03/2023 17:34

I tripped and smacked my hand into a desk last Saturday and the next morning my little finger was still and painful. Only very slight swelling and no redness. 9/10 days later it's still painful. When I bend it and if I press on it.

Is there any point going to urgent care for an x ray? Even if it's broken there's not a great deal they can do is there? It's the top knuckle mainly, near the finger tip

OP posts:
Original poster
Belsnickel · 20/03/2023 17:35

I just feel bad for taking up an appointment and X-ray for what seems like a really pathetic injury

OP posts:
Beamur · 20/03/2023 17:37

I would get it checked. If it needs straightening or binding (I think with fingers they're sometimes strapped to the adjacent finger) it needs doing before the bone starts to heal.
There's a minor injuries unit near me that can do simple X rays for something like this.

JustDanceAddict · 20/03/2023 17:37

They’ll just strap it to the next finger, you could do that yourself! Prob broke my little toe in lockdown by stubbing it on table leg - foot was black n blue but I strapped it to the next toe - well, dh did!

Original poster
Belsnickel · 20/03/2023 19:05

JustDanceAddict · 20/03/2023 17:37

They’ll just strap it to the next finger, you could do that yourself! Prob broke my little toe in lockdown by stubbing it on table leg - foot was black n blue but I strapped it to the next toe - well, dh did!

This is what I'm thinking. I'm sure I've broke my toe several times. I could just strap it together, thank you

OP posts:
Didiplanthis · 20/03/2023 19:10

It depends if it's fractured through a joint margin. I would get it xrayed... my broken pinky was immobilised for 14 weeks !!!

Sn1859 · 20/03/2023 19:11

Hi. I had a similar injury to my pinky and turned out it was just badly bruised and not broken (I had a lovely nurse who properly squeezed it just to make sure it hurt a lot more than it needed to!) As everyone has said just strap it up. It will take a few weeks to heal though.

PotKettel · 20/03/2023 19:12

I agree OP, strap it to the adjacent finger with a bit of cotton wadding and medical sticky tape. I have broken toes three times and it has worked just fine.

jays · 20/03/2023 19:15

Belsnickel · 20/03/2023 19:05

This is what I'm thinking. I'm sure I've broke my toe several times. I could just strap it together, thank you

Show quote history

Please don’t automatically assume they’ll just do that, a broken finger is completely different from a broken toe, they’ll need to act a girding where the fracture is, any potential ligament damage etc. don’t feel guilty for using A&E you’ve broken a finger, that’s what it’s there for!

queenMab99 · 20/03/2023 19:17

Can you bend it properly, and straighten it. I have damaged both mine a different times and damaged the tendons, resulting in buttonhook injuries meaning my fingers won't straighten completely because the tendons have been displaced.

MavisMcMinty · 20/03/2023 19:24

jays · 20/03/2023 19:15

Please don’t automatically assume they’ll just do that, a broken finger is completely different from a broken toe, they’ll need to act a girding where the fracture is, any potential ligament damage etc. don’t feel guilty for using A&E you’ve broken a finger, that’s what it’s there for!

Show quote history

To avoid A&E for both the OP’s and A&E’s sake, phone/email your GP and ask if they feel it sensible or necessary do an x-ray request, where you’ll probably wait no more than 20-30 minutes, then wait for your GP to get the report. Some GPs can look up hospital electronic x-ray systems remotely, needn’t be much delay.

JonahAndTheSnail · 20/03/2023 19:30

I would get it checked out. A few years back my dog fractured my ring finger. I left it 24 hours before going to A&E because like you I thought they wouldn't do much about it. I got put into a cast up to my elbow right away and got refered for surgery as it needed wiring. Had to be in a splint and go for physio for a few weeks. The doctors took it seriously and told me I shouldn't have waited so long to go to A&E.

Original poster
Belsnickel · 20/03/2023 19:34

queenMab99 · 20/03/2023 19:17

Can you bend it properly, and straighten it. I have damaged both mine a different times and damaged the tendons, resulting in buttonhook injuries meaning my fingers won't straighten completely because the tendons have been displaced.

I can straighten it which doesn't hurt, bending it really hurts, pressing on that top joint really hurts.

It hurts but I can do all of those things

OP posts:
Original poster
Belsnickel · 20/03/2023 19:35

I did call the GP they just said that they wouldn't be able to do anything if I got an appointment Abbas to go to urgent care

OP posts:
SpamIAm · 20/03/2023 20:00

A broken finger is completely different to a broken toe - unless other people use their toes for a lot more fine motor work than I do?

Get yourself to minor injuries.

EnthENd · 20/03/2023 20:02

You won't regret going and having a doctor tell you it's fine.

You will regret not going and spending the rest of your life with a damaged finger that healed crooked.

LizzieSiddal · 20/03/2023 20:06

My DD broke her little finger playing netball, you really should go and get it an X-ray. If it doesn’t mend in the correct position you’ll not be able to use it properly for the rest of your life!

Original poster
Belsnickel · 20/03/2023 20:12

EnthENd · 20/03/2023 20:02

You won't regret going and having a doctor tell you it's fine.

You will regret not going and spending the rest of your life with a damaged finger that healed crooked.

Thank you, yes that makes a lot of sense. I will go tomorrow or Wednesday,

OP posts:
RoseAndRose · 20/03/2023 20:16

Go as soon as you can.

It's always worth checking in case there is something that could/should be done. And getting it made 'official' means more tea and sympathy

Ktime · 20/03/2023 20:18

I usually have good health so when something happens, I take it seriously. I stubbed my toe on holiday and after a few days for pain had it x-rayed for peace of mind.

Mamamia7962 · 20/03/2023 20:19

Go and get it X rayed, I fell and broke my little finger last year. Left it for over a week until I went. I had broken it in 2 places. They will strap it up in a splint. Mine didn't heal properly and I now have a crooked finger. If you have broken it hopefully you will have better results.

DaisyBoop · 20/03/2023 20:23

I was in a cast for mine and your injury sounds exactly like yours, even the way you did it. Even 14 months later my finger feels quite tight when I bend it (although not painful). Definitely get it checked out, you might have a spiral fracture like I did.

DaisyBoop · 20/03/2023 20:23

*your injury sounds like mine!

User17865 · 20/03/2023 20:28

My family member broke their little finger, got it xrayed & strapped up but didn’t do the physio exercises they were given. It healed really, really bent. So they then had to have an operation and a screw put it.
I’d definitely get it checked OP.

Haus1234 · 20/03/2023 20:34

I broke a toe, strapped it up myself and have regretted it since as it healed very lumpy and sometimes aches. Definitely get it checked out, fingers are more important!

Mum2jenny · 20/03/2023 20:37

I’ve always just strapped a broken finger to the next one. You can get a dual support from Amazon to help this.
but obviously if you want to wait 12 hours plus in A&E, that’s your choice