2.5yr old DS dropped a heavy can on his toe. Broken?

[PavlovtheCat]

from the bottom cupboard, but the second shelf of that cupboard so from about waist height.

It was a standard sized tin of baked beans, and it fell straight across his big toe, the edge of the tin catching the edge of the nail bed.

It hurt in the way that you know is going to be bad, when a child cries out, then intake of breathe that takes forever before howling again.

It has bled by the edge of the nail bed, and went red and a bit swollen immediately. he is not a huge winger, and this clearly hurt more than a bit as he cried for about 10 mins, then wimper cried on and off (more on) for another hour. After a while he got on with playing with DD, but as it was almost bed time he was tired and grouchy anyway so hard to say if it was pain or his usual tiredness making him grumpy. He seemed walking on it ok but I did not pay huge attention to the actual toe being stood on as he seemed walking ok. I had run it under cold water tap and gave it a good clean.

I checked it periodically and he wimpered a little, it was red and the nail was turning black, just a very little, under the nail bed.

He went to sleep fine, in fact better than normal ! but woke at 9:45pm having what I thought was a night terror, screaming and inconsolable (not convinced it was not a night terror to start with). would not speak for ages.

After about 15 mins he appeared aware of me and continued crying, saying his toe hurt, and was holding it. He would not be comforted, in that cuddles and kisses did not calm him down.

He would not let me touch his toe, put 'magic cream' or 'magic plaster' on it. I gave him neurofen and brought him up with us. I know for sure it hurts as normally that would be enough for him to cheer up!

So, eventually went to sleep, and woke up this morning crying. He did not want to stand on it at first, i had to carry him downstairs, then he got up to go see his sister and is not putting his toe to the floor. He has been moving around and not crying this morning, but walking on the edge of his foot. and when I asked he said 'i cant stand up mummy it hurts'.

Nail bed is black. Toe itself is still red, little but not horrendously swollen. Could it broken? if it is broken is there anything A&E would do, or is there anything I can do at home if not, apart from dose him up to ease the pain?

If it's the big toe it would probably be worth a trip to a&e. Your big toe is very important for walking so I think a&e would want to check that it'll heal all right.

I have no knowledge of this, though, just my opinion.

he is walking well, amazed at how he can adapt, but not even a little bit on his toe! so, i think you are right, he can't walk like this forever!

I just said to him 'DS why don't you put your toe down now?' in an attempt to not make a fuss if it just fear, he looked at me pleadingly and said 'noooo! because it's owey'.

I think you are meant to get all nail bed injuries checked out, so I would take him to A and E, or at least GP

I think the pain is from the blood trapped under the nail and they can make tiny hole to release it which will help.loads with his pain. The poor thing.

ok, DH is going to take him to Minor Injuries Unit, it is closer to us that hospital - and is next to my work pretty much so he will drop me off then go straight there.

than not that

Good plan :)

His toe is still mainly cartilage at that age.

It could be pressure from the blood blister under the nail causing the pain.

Broken toes usually swell up really badly, you literally cant miss is. I would expect a bruise to come out slowly. Just the weight of a quilt is enough to cause pain to an injured toe.

Toes are really strong you know (now I've said all that it'll be broken wont it)

What happened op?

fluffy my DH called our GP for some advice as he really hates hospitals as to be honest we both disagreed at the course of action to take. I always err on the side of caution am a neurotic mother and would be straight to the MIU or A&E and happily wait several hours to be sent home with the all clear. DH would prefer to wait and see.

So we compromised. GP said he felt that in reality as he is moving about, albeit not using his toe, we should wait for the weekend and see if he develops more mobility on it. He said it is actually quite difficult to break a big toe at this age and very little that can be done, but that he can 'assist' or something like that, can't remember the name he used. Which is, as mentioned before, releiving the pressure under the nail through inserting a pin, or something. He said if he is still in pain on monday take him in, and he can do that himself in the surgery.

So, good advice, I am glad we spoke to someone at least and I am amazed at how fast DS can run and move without using his big toe. been watching him and he is still not putting weight on it, but is happy enough as long as that does not happen. He won't wear shoes though as they hurt.

I think he is going to lose the nail though

fluffy meant to say! that yesterday the blanket on his foot made him cry, but today, this evening he is much calmer about it. The toe is swollen but not really badly, and the bruising/blackness is mostly under the nail itself with a little bit around where the skin broke outside the nail.