To not know where to turn for help with this?

[ihowlforyou]

I fell and fractured my ankle a week ago. I was told it’s a stable fracture to be treated like a sprain. I also really tore up my knee, which has been very slow to heal.

A week on and I’m still incredibly swollen, bruised and my ankle is becoming more and more painful. My knee is still very sore, the actual skin is numb but I have pain at the base and top of my kneecap. It also feels a little unstable and I am getting sharp stabbing pains to one side of my kneecap.

My GP isn’t interested. They say that I have to go to physio if I need, as it’s a muscular injury.

Physio has an eight week minimum wait for a video consultation.

This obviously isn’t an A&e situation (shamefully I did go to A&E for the initial injury because it had a very short wait time, it seemed to be a quiet time of day!), and they wouldn’t take a look at my knee anyway as it’s a “superficial injury”.

Minor injuries is now by appointment only in my area and appointments are gone within a minute of opening.

I’ve tried the pharmacy for the graze that isn’t healing but they just say to dress it and keep it clean and it’ll heal “eventually”.

I feel like I’m being turned away at every turn but I’m in so much pain, I’m left feeling sick by lunchtime because my ankle is that sore, and by the end of the day I can’t stand walking around. I have basic physio exercises from my last sprain years ago but I can’t do them, but I can’t be seen by anyone.

Please don’t suggest a private physio assessment, it’s not within my budget at all. AIBU to just feel despondent and like I can’t get help anywhere?

Why the shame at going when you were diagnosed with a fracture ? Don’t be sorry. You had a bad injury ! I’m sure someone more useful will be along but rest and elevate and ice it?

Well personally as your symptoms are worsening, I would go to A and E.

As an aside though, why are you walking on it? You really need to rest up and let it heal!

Of course you went to an and e for this??? That’s perfectly normal to do that and actually I would go back there again and get re xrayed.

This is sub standard care.

You shouldn’t be walking on it. A bad sprain can take six weeks to heal and longer to rebuild strength. I’m not surprised it hurts. I sprained my ankle badly and couldn’t walk on it really for about three weeks. I eventually paid for private physio (£40ish) which was invaluable. I know you said you can’t afford it and fair enough if you really are living hand to mouth but if there’s any way you can borrow or save £40-50 please do it.

I’ve been told I can! I’ve cut my activity down to the bare minimum but my everyday commute and life totals about 5000 steps.

Did you have any X-rays or scans done? If not, I’d go back to an and e and explain the situation, especially as the pain is increasing. Alternatively, speak to 111 first and get them to refer you a minor injuries clinic. I think it needs to be looked at again.

you are walking on a fractured ankle?

I’m so sorry this is happening to you. What happens when you call 111 - what do they tell you to do?

ultimately you may well need to complain in order to get seen I’m afraid.

I’m a bit perplexed by this as well.

Yeah I had an xray which has apparently shown a “minor and stable” fracture. I wasn’t shown the X-rays at all and was sent away pretty sharpish

You surely shouldn't be walking on this unless it's strapped like a boot etc?

You might need to get this rechecked. I have first hand experience of being told there was a minor wrist break, sent away, to only be called 4 days later because random checks had been done on X-ray results and this second person who checked it saw it was actually a serious arm break.

I was told I could! He said it’s minor, stable, and just to be treated like a severe sprain - POLICE (Protection, Optimal Loading, Ice, Compression, and Elevation). I was sent away being told to buy a compression tubi grip from boots and not go hiking. No crutches or anything like that, and to do 20 minutes on of ice and 40 minutes off. I’m elevating as much as possible at work and icing as and when I can

I was told it was fine to 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m not really happy with the care I received but don’t feel able to complain as I work at the hospital I was seen at

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bloody double posting app

Call 111 or go back to A&E

I understand you were told it was fine but if you're clearly still in pain then why are you still walking on it?

I suffered a really bad sprain many years back and was on crutches and advised not to weight bear for the first few days but yours sounds worse - definitely go back for another check, hope you get some answers and are feeling better soon.

It is so hard to challenge doctors isnt it. Sometimes they are wrong though. But you feel you cant challenge them ... and in the end it makes no difference because what they say goes.... even if they are wrong 😞

I sympathise

Because I don’t have any other option, I can’t call in sick to work!

You need to go back if its getting worse mistakes happen and things can be missed on xray.

I think it’s even worse when you work there because even if they don’t know, I feel like I’d be setting myself apart as a complainer. I just feel a bit listless, the way he spoke about it made it sound as though it would be all healed within a few days. But a week down the line I feel like it’s getting worse and not better

If you can’t walk then you are sick? With a broken ankle?

I an unable to go off sick. It’s just not feasible, I’d be letting a team of people down.

You are allowed complain if you BREAK YOUR ANKLE!
No you do not have to continue to WALK to work on a BROKEN BONE, and not be sick and not complain when you are injured.

Go back to A and E and get another
x ray and look after your own health.

5000 steps a day is way too much for that injury. You need to rest of course it won’t heal