Been to a&e but should I go back!

[feedmewinenow]

Toddler had a spectacular dive down the stairs today whilst playing with sister. Went to a&e to get him checked out due to size of lump on head and drowsiness, and also as he hurt his shoulder.

A&E dr checked him over (walked fingers up and down arm/shoulder and asked him to reach out for his teddy) and sent us home.

Several hours later DS is avoiding using arm, crying in pain when he pushes down (for example getting off large sofa he used his arms to shuffle along and screams/cries) He says it hurts and won't let us touch it but appears to have movement as in he can raise his arms and reach out for biscuits/small items. However, when he knocks it he is clearly in huge pain and can't apply pressure to it.

Is this normal with a shoulder injury and it'll just be painful for a while or should I return and ask for an X-ray? He's absolute not himself and seems in genuine pain...however he's also a very savvy toddler trained in the art of milking it!

I'd go out in garden with the paddling pool and see what happens when one is having fun

I agree re the padding pool.
My dd broke her collar bone. It didn’t come to light for over 24hrs tho.
Let us know how he is

DD fractured her collarbone at 10 months. Got checked over by dr who said all fine. Went back the next day and got an X-ray that showed the fracture. I'd go back.

I'd go back. Worst case your being over zealous. If there is a break and it's left it could cause other issues

How is he now op?

Go back and say you are not happy.

Hows he doing?

We went back this afternoon and saw the same Dr from this morning who was very pleasant but after the same checks was pretty adamant that an x-ray wasn't needed as he has more or less full movement. However, it was noted that he's avoiding using the arm, cries when picked up and he's still screeching with pain when he applies pressure so simple things like him seating on the toilet and pressing down to get off cause tears and screams! It appears to be the top of his shoulder that is causing the pain and at the front so it could be the collar bone?

He did say that if there is no improvement by tomorrow that he would x-ray so it may be third time lucky or hopefully, the pain will ease overnight. I have never known little one stay so still but with a mix of calpol/ibuprofen he's ok in himself! It's just tough as my instinct is that something isn't right but I'll fight that battle tomorrow if I need to!

Thanks for advice and concern...I have a feeling it will be a long night as he's already waking every time he attempts to roll over in his sleep.

go back and request an x ray

Oh that sounds rubbish OP, fingers crossed he sleeps, let us know how you get on

🤞

They want to avoid xrays for good reasons, lifelong reduction in radiation doses is a good thing.

I think you have to wait (a few days) & see if it improves on its own.

Oh poor little love, I agree that I'd ask for the x Ray, I see you have to wait until tomorrow though, let us know how he is, I really hope he sleeps for you

Well, it’s bound to be sore after falling down stairs and landing on it - soft tissue damage. That’s not unusual. I’d give it a couple of days
and watch your dc to see if they use the arm when you’re not watching.

Is he using his elbow OP? It would be an unusual mechanism but he might have a pulled elbow and the doctor is missing the point of injury entirely. Also second collarbone injury. Is there a minor injuries unit you could take him to tomorrow?

See how he is tomorrow. If he's still avoiding using his arm in the morning then take him back to A&E.

I can understand the doctor not wanting to xray straight away but he did say to go back tomorrow if there's no improvement. If he's still crying out in pain and avoiding using his arm then take him back.

If there is a break then it'll need treatment. Ime with (simple) collar bone breaks the treatment is usually to immobilise the arm with a sling which your ds is doing anyway by avoiding using his arm.

Constsnt croup sounding cough itchy red eyes 13yr old ds. Took him to the pharmacy today who suggested conjunctivitis (which it is not) just trying antihistamine now. He's shattered. Anyone have any experience of this???

Sorry x post

Children are often difficult to examine and can hide small breaks very well. Sometimes the site of injury only becomes obvious after 1-2 days observation and - without this - it's hard to know what exactly to x-ray, e.g. shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, etc. Sometimes, of course, they just recover but I would be suspicious if he's still in pain today.

I suspect the doctor you've seen is using time as a diagnostic tool rather than trying to make the statement that "nothing is broken". Go back if things aren't better.

If at all concerned then I would go back.
When my DD had a fall i got told she had hurt her wrist and it had swollen a bit. When I picked her up they said she had moved her wrist so probably not broken. Although she was clearly in a lot of pain and wouldn’t move her arm. In fact it was her elbow that was dislocated / fractured. They xrayed both areas.

Unfortunately their X-ray reading skills weren’t up to scratch that day or following day so dislocation not realised until weeks later.

So definitely if still in pain then take back. They definitely make mistakes