Dd2 has broken a bone in her foot, Likely treatment?

[LargeGlassofRed]

Dd cartwheeled into the Kitchen table yesterday, and was unable to walk on her foot,
took her to A and E this morning and they've xrayed and said a probable break of third metatarsal and its sort of bent on the X-ray. They have given her a crutches and painkillers and she has to go to fracture clinic on Monday.
The nurse mentioned a boot? But another one mentioned plaster? Has any ones DC's done similar? And what was the treatment?
Thanks

Bump

Hi largeglass,

my son fractured 1st and 2nd metatarsals in his foot 2 years ago - we were in singapore (were due to move to US 3 days later) so back casted his foot and lower leg so he could fly! After 4ish weeks we went to see ortho in US and he laughed at the old fashioned treatment - cast/back slab and said that walking boot is the recommended treatment these days, less muscle wasting, able to bear weight earlier. He was also told not to weight bear at all for 6 weeks. Recovery was very long - over 10 weeks because of cast instead of boot. Disclaimer - bones were not displaced. Monday is long time to wait - but I'm in US and everything is instant, pretty much. Hope she is ok - pain for us was gone in a couple of days but that was because it was immobilised.

Best treatment will be to keep going with painkillers and use the foot as normally as possible. It will be pretty uncomfortable for the first few days, but the bones will stick together very quickly and a little bit of movement is actually beneficial for healing. The other metatarsals either side of the broken one will provide stability and any slight bend or displacement will quickly get better. Try not to worry, she'll be fine!

Thank you both, I'm hoping they do give her a boot or something, she keeps crying out it pain when she rolls over in bed, poor thing.
She can't put any weight on it at the moment, and even getting a large sock on it was really painful.
Monday seems such a long way off, apparently it would of been Friday's clinic but closed for Easter so next one is Monday.

Most (all!)of the info on Dr Google does not recommend walking on a foot with fractured metatarsals - it is extremely painful and I think it is unacceptable that she will not be treated until Monday. I haven't lived in UK for 16 years so dont know if there is another option open to you? Once my son's fractures were immobilised, there was no pain at all. I hope you can get through to Monday - can your GP advocate for you ? Do people who break their leg on a Tuesday, not get seen until the following Monday in the fracture clinic? Guess I have been out of UK for too long and don't understand the system ...

Thanks Texas, I have heard of people waiting before for the fracture clinic but I thought that was to allow the swelling to go down, but 6 days after injury seems long.

I broke two metatarsals and they gave me painkillers and did nothing

it was bloody sore

hope your dd feels better soon

Thanks Rhino, just rang the number on the fracture clinic letter, and they said they can't do anything as first appointment is Monday. But if it gets really bad, I could take her back to A and E.

I think i've decided if its still as bad in the morning, I'm going to take her back. My mum reminded me that she only saw the nurse practitioner not a Doctor.

I think you are doing the right thing, taking her back. Hopefully you will see a doctor and get some form of support for her foot. It really is very painful without treatment - but it really isn't if immobilized - DS was off painkillers after 2 days.

Feel sorry for Trinity Rhino ...

Just rang A and E for advice they were very dismissive, said they wouldn't do anything further and to wait till fracture clinic on Monday.

Hi Largeglass, I am sorry to hear that - I am clearly out of touch re medical treatment in UK. I really hope she is ok - frustrating as if it was treated immediately, she would feel much better - could probably have gone to school again Wed and Thurs before the holidays start. Hope you get fixed on Monday and you can enjoy the holidays.

Thanks Texas, will keep her dopped up over the weekend and topped up with chocolate, and hope for the best Monday.

DS broke a metatarsal (not sure which one) and was put in a cast. He was however only about 18 months and just walking. I'm guessing your DD is either a fair bit older or very precocious if she can cartwheel so treatment may be different.

Pressed post too soon...

He was clearly in an awful lot of pain overnight between going to A&E and his fracture clinic appointment the next day so I hope your DD gets some sort of treatment. Having to wait nearly a week sounds horrible.

Thanks Barry, Monday can't come soon enough.

She's 9 btw and doesn't walk anywhere constantly skipping jumping and cartwheeling!

Hi largeglass how did you go today ?

Hi, went ok thanks said small break but stable so no plaster. Just 3 to 6 weeks on crutches! Said a boot wasn't necessary.

I broke two toes when 8 or 9, nothing was done, just some painkillers and off netball for a while (I really remember that!). My Mum thought it odd at the time, that i didn't have cast or boot or anything and it was painful but it soon healed. Hope it stops hurting soon.

both my ds and dd have done this - they had the same treatment(!) as your dd and after a few weeks were absolutely fine.they went back to school after a few days as the school operates a buddy system with someone nominated to help them around school,with bag etc.
hope dd gets on ok