Should I take DD to A&E?

[ShortcutButtons]

A few hours ago my four year old DD fell off a three foot high wall. It wasn't a very dramatic fall and she landed on her legs but they then buckled. She cried a lot and said her leg hurt but it didn't swell up. Now it's several hours later and she still won't walk on it, says it hurts and keeps crying but it's still not swollen or bruised.

Should I take her for a x-Ray or give her calpol and put her to bed? I am home alone with three children so if we go to A&E I have to take all of them. Added complication is that tomorrow lunchtime DH and I are flying to Venice for 48 hours without the kids so A&E in the morning is almost harder than now.

Is it likely to be broken if it's not bruised, marked or remotely swollen?

If she won't walk on it, then I'd say it's worth getting it checked now.

Hard to tell as my 6 year old refuses to weight bear on his leg even for just a scraped knee as he is a complete drama lama. If you think she genuinely can't weight bear then I think A&E would be a good idea.

If after all this time she's still crying and complaining about it being sore it must be really sore! I'd take her to A&E. As much as anything else it will give you peace of mind. Imagine if it is broken and you leave her. I really hope she's ok.

Yes go! Hopefully they will get you through quick as in the evening with children.

yes go.
it needs an x-ray.
not all breaks come swelling/bruising and a small child not walking on it after a while is cause for concern.
bring something to read and snacks.
good luck!

I basically did this and held out without a&e til 4am.

Twas broken fibula. Little buggery painful bone!

Shortcut if dd is in pain and unable to weight bear on her legs then please take her to paediatric casualty as that is not normal. They won't mind you taking your other children and I hope all will be well so that you can take your trip.

I would take her if just to reassure you

That was quite a fall.
Take her.

If she's still in pain and genuinely unable to put weight on it I'd say A&E for an X-ray, small fractures are not always obvious - sorry OP

Your post has made me so cross. Your poor child.

I should just add that she an move her foot. But she's definitely in pin, she's not usually one to fuss.

It seems the consensus is clear that I should go. DS (2) has just fallen asleep but I will start packing a bag and then wake him. Only problem is that DD2 will need his buggy as she can't walk so not sure how to get him on the bus.

Troys - before you get crosser can I just clarify that she has not been crying all the time since the fall. She's quite happy if sat on the sofa watching tv. Is she had been in constant pain I would have taken her earlier.

Do you have a neighbour you could ask to babysit as an emergency? I know I would if anyone asked me

Oh nuts, that sucks, is there really no one who can sit with the children while you take the only one who needs seeing to?
Is the person who is minding the kids reliable?
I think I would probably wait until tomorrow.

I am pretty good at sussing out when something is broken vs. bruised, mind. (ample experience)

Can you afford a taxi? Can anyone give you a lift or come round to watch the other children?

Oh fig, you have to take FOUR CHILDREN ON THE BUS? At this hour on a Sunday? Including one who can't/won't walk and at least one in a buggy? Are you sure tomorrow wouldn't be easier?? Will buses even be running at midnight when you might need to return; can you afford a taxi?

You can't leave it for whoever is babysitting for you to take her, that's massively unreasonable! You will need to take her before you go away, so if that means going tonight then you'll have to suck it up and go.

You could book emergency childcare on the internet sitters.co.uk someone could be there in two hours. They are all police checked and have reviews etc on the website. That way the others would be in bed and you could just take the injured one

I would take her

But you do need a plan for getting back - taxi?

OK bags packed and I'm going next door to ask neighbours if they will listen for DS on the monitor. Do you think that's OK
To leave him here alone asleep in his cot with neighbours ready to respond if he cries? I could ask them to sit in here but I fee awful asking as I hardly know them. The wife is a primary teacher though so I know they are responsible.

Do you have a proper link for that, URMyRain? Bing can't find a website called "internet sitters.co.uk" and I bet they don't serve many areas anyway

I wonder what they'd cost... £££??

Can a friend not give you a lift to the hospital?

I wouldn't go tonight. If she's totally happy when not trying to walk and will let you touch it all over and move it around id wait till the morning.
Take her at 8am if she can't stand when she wakes.
But I also wouldn't give a painkiller, if it's sore enough she can't sleep without it take her, if it's not that sore wait till morning.