Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Broken foot and strange doctor

154 replies

Threemangoes · 10/07/2023 21:24

So I spent 5 hours in A&e with my 12 year old and found out she has broken her foot. 3 bones (metatarsal) 10 days ago on sports day but there was no swelling on the day hence why no urgency.
She was still limping and sore to touch foot so I took her to check it out today.

Anyways the doctor refused to give her any brace or shoe and said that it will just get better by itself.

He didn't tell me what bones in the foot she has broken. Just said that you have broken 3 bones.

He asked if we wanted to see a bone doctor but don't really have to as they will say the same thing??

I came out of the A&e thinking she has a broken foot and no support for it. I still didn't know what has she broken in her foot. Why did I even go there?

Am I being unreasonable to feel really stupid? Are there any doctor mums here or someone with similar experience?

OP posts:
Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 10/07/2023 21:25

Well you could have spoken to the bone doctor and they'd have told you the names. I imagine.

Original poster
Threemangoes · 10/07/2023 21:43

The "bone doctor" is a virtual appointment which they will ring me within 72 hours.

OP posts:
twoandcooplease · 10/07/2023 21:56

Does he mean because it's been 10 days already a support wouldn't help?
Because I would think that's what she needs to hold her foot in the right place to heal?

I'm not a doctor though!

ThreadExterminator · 10/07/2023 22:04

If they're very small fractures / stress fractures and she can weight bear then I think they can be left to heal on their own. This is what I was told when I'd fractured two metatarsals.
Mine didn't heal after a few weeks though so I ended up with a boot and crutches but I have osteopenia and was suffering some elements of malnutrition at the time due to another condition so I had things working against my recovery.

Original poster
Threemangoes · 10/07/2023 22:13

Hmm she has broken 3 bones. I was hoping for some kind of support for her foot. I mean what if she falls on it in school?

OP posts:
ThreadExterminator · 10/07/2023 22:15

What kind of breaks are they? How did she do it?

Original poster
Threemangoes · 10/07/2023 22:19

I don't know what kind of breaks are they. I got told 3 broken bones. The radiologist couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the scans as it showed her foot is broken but she had walked in the room by herself. It happened on sports day when he tripped over a hurdle.

OP posts:
itsamedicalmystery · 10/07/2023 22:23

Perhaps after 10 days they have already started to knit back together on their own. I'm actually surprised you was even seen, you would have been turned away to the GP at my local department for any injury over 5 days old, and they would have sent her for a routine X-ray, by which point it would have healed anyway.
You could have asked more questions if you was worried, and you could have also asked to see the X-ray, but I don't think you should feel stupid. You could always give the fracture clinic a ring tomorrow and request the call with the bone doctor.

ThreadExterminator · 10/07/2023 22:24

Were you not given a discharge letter to take to your GP which'll have the details on it?

FannyFifer · 10/07/2023 22:25

Just strap it up for a few days & see if it helps.

mauvish · 10/07/2023 22:27

How do you know that she's broken her metatarsals if the doctor didn't tell you which bones are broken?

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 10/07/2023 22:34

There are quite a few breaks you can have that don't need any form of support, they just heal and sometimes adding a support makes the situation worse because it prevents proper mobilisation which can then cause stiffness in tendons/ligaments/muscles.

I believe there's a pretty standard process where all X-rays are reviewed by an orphopaedic doctor within 72 hrs of an A&E X-ray being done, to check that everything has been picked up and address it if it hasn't. That actually how I found out I had a broken hand a few years ago, went to A&E, they saw a broken finger and buddy taped it but missed the displaced fracture in my hand that needed to be screwed back together.I got a call a couple of days later asking me to come in for more X-rays the next day and ended up having X-rays and a surprise surgery.

Wishitsnows · 10/07/2023 22:37

I think you need a second opinion on this. It could give her issues in the future.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 10/07/2023 22:41

Just had a little look online and a lot of the advice says that if you have been given a boot you can discard it once you're comfortable walking on the foot. If she went in walking and demonstrated she was able to walk without significant pain then thats probably why no boot was given.

RandomMess · 10/07/2023 22:53

DD was in no pain with the boot thing, after 3 weeks she didn't need it all the time.

Shocking they've not provided her one.

Original poster
Threemangoes · 10/07/2023 22:57

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 10/07/2023 22:41

Just had a little look online and a lot of the advice says that if you have been given a boot you can discard it once you're comfortable walking on the foot. If she went in walking and demonstrated she was able to walk without significant pain then thats probably why no boot was given.

She walks but by tilting her foot so the pressure is not on her toes/middle of the foot. Surely that's going to damage
I just found the whole thing left me so stupid as a parent. I wish I could go back and challenge them. But when it's happening there and then so rushed and so much to take in I just didn't think on the spot.

OP posts:
Original poster
Threemangoes · 10/07/2023 22:59

mauvish · 10/07/2023 22:27

How do you know that she's broken her metatarsals if the doctor didn't tell you which bones are broken?

Because I researched. Where its hurting her and what it's called. I have Google. But the doctor didn't even once care to tell me what bones she has broken. Sure that's a basic thing to do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Threemangoes · 10/07/2023 23:01

ThreadExterminator · 10/07/2023 22:24

Were you not given a discharge letter to take to your GP which'll have the details on it?

Nothing at all! That's what made me think why did I bother? I should have been more alert and challenged them and asked all the basic questions.

OP posts:
Original poster
Threemangoes · 10/07/2023 23:09

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 10/07/2023 22:41

Just had a little look online and a lot of the advice says that if you have been given a boot you can discard it once you're comfortable walking on the foot. If she went in walking and demonstrated she was able to walk without significant pain then thats probably why no boot was given.

So once I came out I rang my husband and gave him the update. He was fuming and asked me to go back and ask for a boot.
The door was open as someone was leaving so I took the opportunity and walked back in to see that doctor now at reception.
I said you've just told me that she has broken 3 bones in her foot, I'd like some support for her foot to heal whilst she is in school. He said I spoke to the consultant and we decided the brace or boot wasnt needed as it would hinder the strength of other muscles in her foot. I said well she has got 2 more weeks of school and what if she falls on it? I just want her to have some support. He said look you can have the boot but the bone doctor might tell you it's not needed.
So I said yes please I will take it. He didn't look impressed to be challenged. The nurse who came to fit the boot wasn't friendly at all she didn't say a single word during fitting or afterwards. When we were leaving the doctor sarcastically said well now you're gonna have a one really strong foot!

OP posts:
Original poster
Threemangoes · 10/07/2023 23:11

itsamedicalmystery · 10/07/2023 22:23

Perhaps after 10 days they have already started to knit back together on their own. I'm actually surprised you was even seen, you would have been turned away to the GP at my local department for any injury over 5 days old, and they would have sent her for a routine X-ray, by which point it would have healed anyway.
You could have asked more questions if you was worried, and you could have also asked to see the X-ray, but I don't think you should feel stupid. You could always give the fracture clinic a ring tomorrow and request the call with the bone doctor.

Well my daughter was seen because after 10 days of her fall the foot is still sore to touch and she can't do her usual daily activities.

OP posts:
Keepingthingsinteresting · 10/07/2023 23:14

Sorry @Threemangoes but you’re « that » parent, demanding a medically unnecessary device because you don’t understand what is going on- like demanding antibiotics for a cold.

Next time try to stay calm and answer questions rather than getting embarrassed and going back after the event to be silly.

Original poster
Threemangoes · 10/07/2023 23:32

Keepingthingsinteresting · 10/07/2023 23:14

Sorry @Threemangoes but you’re « that » parent, demanding a medically unnecessary device because you don’t understand what is going on- like demanding antibiotics for a cold.

Next time try to stay calm and answer questions rather than getting embarrassed and going back after the event to be silly.

Well I'd rather be "that" parent and make sure my daughter's foot is healing and safety is not compromised.

I was very polite and spoke calmly sharing my concerns that I need her foot to be supported and safe in school during school hours.

OP posts:
EmmaBridgewaterMugs · 10/07/2023 23:34

Blatant placemarking because I have had a dodgy foot for over 10 years but those exercise sheets on the links a PP gave are excellent.

Without derailing, but am I? Anyway, I can’t rotate my left ankle. If I try to draw a circle with my big toe and the ball of my foot, it barely moves as opposed to a beautiful circle drawn with my right foot. Does anyone have any ankle exercises?