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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this doesn't need the minor injuries appointment

52 replies

OnNaturesCourse · 20/05/2025 08:48

Backstory - DC4 got their ankle/foot trapped in the bars of their crib bed while climbing over and fell over the bars with their foot stuck resulting in lots of screaming for a good half a hour. It was very bruised looking and red with a massive indent line when it was first done. Calmed down but would not weight bare and swelling started so took a trip to A&E. DC isn't the type of kid to complain or react to much so this big reaction/continued complaint of pain was a concern to. It was very busy, was told they'd like to xray but they suspect it's just a sprain/tendons as DC was moving the ankle and the swelling wasn't too great plus there was good blood flow in the foot. (also the initial bruise colour was gone) Was then told I could take an appointment for the minor injuries clinic today, or the wait time for A&E treatment would be 6-7hrs. I choose the clinic as it was already late and DC was tired/hungry and no longer appeared in great pain.

DC woke up today and the ankle is not bruised as predicted it would be by triage nurse last night, but the swelling is still there. DC is weight baring on it (was advised last night to not encourage any weight bearing but DC was up and standing getting out of bed before I could stop them) DC is happily sitting with feet crossed at the ankle with legs up but jumps or shouts when I or anything else touches it. (I even done the touch it without them seeing to see if it was just a protective reaction but still jumped with pain)

The fact that DC is willing to stand and attempt walking (not hopping but a slight limp) and isn't stopping crossed their ankles, nor are they seemingly in pain when sitting makes me wonder if this is just a bad sprain needing rest. Not wanting to waste the clinics time based on my DC needs/feelings/reactions of last night. No pain meds have been needed.

Is it worth the clinics time and resources to xray this? Does it sound like it could be a break or anything requiring medical treatment? I'm pretty sure DC would be up and limping around OK if I let them / didn't follow hospital advice from last night.

OP posts:
socialdilemmawhattodo · 20/05/2025 08:50

I think it is worth it if only for reassurance.

Brummumm · 20/05/2025 08:52

Yes. Take snacks.

Octonaut4Life · 20/05/2025 08:52

I would do it, I broke my foot as a child at a similar age and it was a couple of weeks before anyone realised as I continued walking on it. Best to get checked.

Trickabrick · 20/05/2025 08:54

My child continued to play sport with a fractured bone, better safe than sorry.

2ndbestslayer · 20/05/2025 08:54

Definitely take the appointment.

Original poster
OnNaturesCourse · 20/05/2025 08:57

Okay, so the concensus is that children are less likely to show pain from this kind of thing? Or more easily distracted I guess.

OP posts:
NImumconfused · 20/05/2025 08:57

Yep, another one here with a child who continued to weight bear in a fracture, it's not uncommon, especially in younger children - definitely safest to get it checked out.

Nursemumma92 · 20/05/2025 08:57

Yes, best to get checked. You have been referred there from A+E who wouldn't have done that if they didn't think it warranted being checked out. Children are very resilient and often keep going with fractures.

Original poster
OnNaturesCourse · 20/05/2025 09:03

Thanks everyone. I wonder if a little call to the clinic to advise of the changes in DC might be in order then they can decide.

OP posts:
paradisecircus · 20/05/2025 09:07

I'd suggest trying to get an x-ray. Could the minor injuries unit do one?
I've just had a similar problem and dilemma (ok I'm 54 not 4 but there may be some relevance!) I fell & hurt my ankle - could weight bear/walk but it was tender - and was convinced it was a sprain - reluctantly went to A&E after about 3 days, and there's a fracture at the base of the fibula.

Hollowvoice · 20/05/2025 09:08

Just go and get it checked.
It hasn't been x-rayed so no one really knows and there's a risk of doing further damage if you don't know

whynotmereally · 20/05/2025 09:08

I broke my shoulder as a child and it only after a couple of weeks of not being able to lift my arm that my parents took me to the doctors who said she needs an X-ray.
thirty years later my son falls off the first rung of his climbing frame didn’t cry or make a fuss. Over the next couple days he mentioned his arm hurt twice but it looked fine and he was moving it. Day 3 it looked a little swollen and lo and behold a broken wrist. Three months later after he had fully recovered he walked out of school at the end of the day and said my wrist is broken again. I didn’t wait this time took him straight to minor injuries and yes broken again, he never said a word at school. The incident happened at lunch.

it’s probably fine but get it checked to be safe

Mulledjuice · 20/05/2025 09:10

OnNaturesCourse · 20/05/2025 09:03

Thanks everyone. I wonder if a little call to the clinic to advise of the changes in DC might be in order then they can decide.

You're overthinking. They won't know until they've done the xray. Just get the xray

Elpheba · 20/05/2025 09:13

Definitely go otherwise you’ll face this dilemma again in a few days and have to go back to a&e. My friends little boy had a spiral tibial fracture and was still walking around, with a limp, but getting on with it. Diagnosed by x ray on day 4 and in a cast for 6 weeks.

MrsH497 · 20/05/2025 09:14

My daughter at 3 had a greenstick fracture to her arm. It wasn’t hugely swollen no bruising, she was tender in some movements and touching but nothing huge. Quick xray and a splint for 3 weeks. Get the xray and get it checked

Seeline · 20/05/2025 09:17

When my DS fractured his arm there was no bruising or swelling. He could move it, but it obviously hurt.
It was only the X ray that showed the break.

NuffSaidSam · 20/05/2025 09:18

If my child had a painful, swollen ankle I would take them. I'd maybe risk it if it were me to avoid waiting at minor injuries, but to not seek medical attention for a child in these circumstances is negligent.

allmycats · 20/05/2025 09:21

Just get yourself off to the appointment- you seem to be looking for a reason not to go. Children are very good at masking and do not really understand that what they are feeling is not normal.

polarsystem · 20/05/2025 09:24

I think it’s bordering on neglectful to not at least get it looked at. Fractures can go unnoticed. The same happened my ankle around 2 years ago and, I’m still having issues with it.

SENNeeds2 · 20/05/2025 09:25

Children have soft bones so get green stick fractures.

I fell on my foot and minor injuries xrayed and said just tendons … have since discovered that not all foot fracture show up on X-rays can see on ultrasound or mri … private mri showed three fractures and a torn fasicia - swelling was the main sign

TheNightingalesStarling · 20/05/2025 09:28

When my DD, aged 3 at the time, broke her arm, she only cried for 5 mins. Didn't react at all when doctors etc touched it. If I hadn't seen the fall, it would have been very easy to dismiss.

Original poster
OnNaturesCourse · 20/05/2025 09:43

Thanks everyone.

For everyone saying neglect 😂 if it was that do you really think I'd have been in A&E at midnight last night?

I just am not one to waste NHS resources unnecessarily, yes A&E said last night to check it given the, at the time, pain and condition but that has since changed hence me questioning the need.

I am going to go however given all the stories of unknown broken bones especially in children - I didn't know it was this common!

Appointment not until later this afternoon.

OP posts:
MissDoubleU · 20/05/2025 09:54

OnNaturesCourse · 20/05/2025 09:43

Thanks everyone.

For everyone saying neglect 😂 if it was that do you really think I'd have been in A&E at midnight last night?

I just am not one to waste NHS resources unnecessarily, yes A&E said last night to check it given the, at the time, pain and condition but that has since changed hence me questioning the need.

I am going to go however given all the stories of unknown broken bones especially in children - I didn't know it was this common!

Appointment not until later this afternoon.

It’s absolutely not wasting NHS recourses. That is what the recourses are there for! Do you think every x-ray that didn’t prove a break was a waste? Ruling things out is just as necessary as ruling things in.

I also think those mentioning neglect are fair. It would look like neglect if you took your child in for what was quite a painful injury in which a break or fracture was a real possibility but you failed to see this through to completion.

Original poster
OnNaturesCourse · 20/05/2025 10:05

No I don't think that they are wasteful but I do think people hobbling in for minor twisted ankles, or small aches and pains are.

I just did not realise a break could present in such a way as this. I guess that's why I asked others opinions to gage others experiences and thoughts.

Minor injuries do advise that movement and blood flow are good indicators. The concern would only be great pain and/or swelling that continues for a number of days. Rest and ice. But I am going to still attend the appointment since it's made already.

Pretty sure that's not neglect - neglect would be paying it no attention and telling child to get on with it. Currently child is being waited on hand and foot.

In love with Mumsnet and it's ability to swing a innocent AIBU question into something horrible 😂

OP posts:
CatsorDogsrule · 20/05/2025 10:13

@OnNaturesCourse Will you be changing the crib to a bed now for the safety aspect?

I hope the xray is clear, but I agree it is necessary as I've had 2 children with fractures that were only found on xray when the medics thought there wasn't a break.