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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:
Original poster
Threemangoes · 10/07/2023 23:37

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.

Asking for a supportive boot for a broken foot isn't the same as asking antibiotics for a cold I don't think so.
I'd like to see you carry on going to school with a broken foot with no support.

OP posts:
Wishitsnows · 10/07/2023 23:48

That’s the same injury David Beckham had and I’m pretty sure his treatment plan wasn’t to hope it will heal in a few weeks.

LordSalem · 10/07/2023 23:52

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?

What if she breaks three bones on sports day in school and doesn't get them checked out for ten days. Oh...

twoandcooplease · 10/07/2023 23:54

Sorry @EmmaBridgewaterMugs that really made me laugh. The 'beautiful circles' part.
I hurt my foot on Thursday sending me to a&e on Friday and I can't do that with my right at the moment. Hopefully it won't heal like yours so following for your ankle exercise recommendations!

SD1978 · 11/07/2023 00:04

For the next couple of days until you have the virtual appointment have her wear a hard soles shoe, sometimes that can be enough, and can be just as effective, depending on where the breaks are. The virtual appointment will be your opportunity to discuss if further support is required.

JustMaggie · 11/07/2023 00:04

I think you absolutely did the right thing to go back and ask for support for your daughter's broken foot. Very weird behaviour from the dr and nurse who helped you.

Original poster
Threemangoes · 11/07/2023 00:05

LordSalem · 10/07/2023 23:52

What if she breaks three bones on sports day in school and doesn't get them checked out for ten days. Oh...

Show quote history

?? They would have sent her away like today, no?
Without even seeing the xray the doctor said just to let you know even if it's broken we don't put a cast for this break. I will refer you for a x-ray but it just has to heal by itself with no sporty activities.

OP posts:
Original poster
Threemangoes · 11/07/2023 00:07

SD1978 · 11/07/2023 00:04

For the next couple of days until you have the virtual appointment have her wear a hard soles shoe, sometimes that can be enough, and can be just as effective, depending on where the breaks are. The virtual appointment will be your opportunity to discuss if further support is required.

Yes I will be better prepared for the bone doctor. And I'd like to make a complaint if the bone doctor recommends she should be in a supportive boot.

OP posts:
Original poster
Threemangoes · 11/07/2023 00:08

JustMaggie · 11/07/2023 00:04

I think you absolutely did the right thing to go back and ask for support for your daughter's broken foot. Very weird behaviour from the dr and nurse who helped you.

Thank you!
They were so dismissive of my concerns. As if I had 2 heads.

OP posts:
LordSalem · 11/07/2023 00:11

Not necessarily no, the injuries would have been fresh and possibly more clear to see.
You don’t think he might've looked at the scans you've mentioned before he saw you?
If you're this incensed, by all means, go back and ask for a second opinion and get yourself heard this time. You're just shouting into the void posting on here.

ArcticSkewer · 11/07/2023 00:11

So they told you before the Xray that for breaks in that area, the only treatment is rest.
Then after the results, told you the same rging.
They explained the reason why - to avoid weakening the muscles on the leg and foot.
They also referred you to a specialist for a phone consult to confirm the treatment plan.

Which part of that was not clear?

thinkfast · 11/07/2023 00:17

My daughter broke a bone in her foot at about age 3 jumping down the stairs and landing badly. Similarly the dr prescribed no treatment other than to be careful with it and rest it. She explained the reasons why no cast or boot or even strapping was required for the type of break it was and would result in a better outcome.

Original poster
Threemangoes · 11/07/2023 00:17

LordSalem · 11/07/2023 00:11

Not necessarily no, the injuries would have been fresh and possibly more clear to see.
You don’t think he might've looked at the scans you've mentioned before he saw you?
If you're this incensed, by all means, go back and ask for a second opinion and get yourself heard this time. You're just shouting into the void posting on here.

No you made a silly comment as if to be clever but it didn't go as you had hoped.
Before seeing the xray he told me there will be nothing provided for having broken bones there.
So if I'd have taken her first day or 3rd week it didn't matter.
I'm asking here to see other people's opinions and experiences. Perhaps some validity.
Instead of doing this you chose to make a silly comment thinking that's very clever.

OP posts:
Original poster
Threemangoes · 11/07/2023 00:21

thinkfast · 11/07/2023 00:17

My daughter broke a bone in her foot at about age 3 jumping down the stairs and landing badly. Similarly the dr prescribed no treatment other than to be careful with it and rest it. She explained the reasons why no cast or boot or even strapping was required for the type of break it was and would result in a better outcome.

That's interesting. I suppose 3 is really young and heals much quicker. Whereas my 12 year old is in school and can risk long lasting injury if she falls on it again.

OP posts:
ArcticSkewer · 11/07/2023 00:23

Threemangoes · 11/07/2023 00:21

That's interesting. I suppose 3 is really young and heals much quicker. Whereas my 12 year old is in school and can risk long lasting injury if she falls on it again.

Show quote history

According to you.

According to the doctor, it risks muscle damage and outcomes are better without the boot. Which you were told both before and after Xray.

Delia123 · 11/07/2023 00:24

Off topic (sorry) but for the broken ankle posters there are some good exercises here. My physio gave me two different exercise bands and I've found those exercises the most useful.
https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/media/pgkn0u2w/physiotherapy-following-your-ankle-fracture_aug21.pdf

https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/media/pgkn0u2w/physiotherapy-following-your-ankle-fracture_aug21.pdf

nocoolnamesleft · 11/07/2023 00:32

I could understand possibly needing a boot immediately after injury, but 10 days down the line? When she was already walking on it? Can't really see that helping. Most children who'd been given a boot would have stopped using it by then.

Delia123 · 11/07/2023 00:32

I too was expecting more in terms of physical support with my injury. Once they'd looked at my x rays they felt it was best just to rest it and have physio once things had started to heal. I was quite sceptical myself but it's healed ok and physio is helping. If I'm on my feet all day I might strap it up for a bit of support. The physio showed me how to strap my foot with a cohesive bandage.

Original poster
Threemangoes · 11/07/2023 00:38

nocoolnamesleft · 11/07/2023 00:32

I could understand possibly needing a boot immediately after injury, but 10 days down the line? When she was already walking on it? Can't really see that helping. Most children who'd been given a boot would have stopped using it by then.

But she is walking by tilting her foot so she is limping. Then needs elevating and ice packs every time she walks a bit much.
It's hurting her. Just because she was smiling and not making a fuss doesn't means she shouldn't have the support.
As a professional the doctor should have offered her even if just for the last 2 weeks of school.

OP posts:
nocoolnamesleft · 11/07/2023 00:39

No, as a professional the doctor should advise the clinically indicated treatment. Not be bullied into providing a non indicated treatment.

SpringSummerDreamer · 11/07/2023 00:40

I likely broke my foot last year. It was examined but not x-rayed - the doctor said there was no point x-raying as would be no difference in treatment - whether broken or not.
Apparently there's no treatment for many of the broken bones in the foot, except to heal naturally. I wasn’t given a boot or brace either.

Original poster
Threemangoes · 11/07/2023 00:42

Delia123 · 11/07/2023 00:32

I too was expecting more in terms of physical support with my injury. Once they'd looked at my x rays they felt it was best just to rest it and have physio once things had started to heal. I was quite sceptical myself but it's healed ok and physio is helping. If I'm on my feet all day I might strap it up for a bit of support. The physio showed me how to strap my foot with a cohesive bandage.

Thank you for sharing I hope you feel better soon.
This is it. She has 2 weeks of school so she can't exactly rest and let it heal. Then added risk of another fall. Then how long should she be relying on pain killers at this age. No physio was recommended so far. Let's see what the bone doctor says. Going by this experience I have lowered my expectations.

OP posts:
Threenow · 11/07/2023 00:44

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.

This is exactly what I was going to say!! Honestly, what makes people think they know more than doctors, and just because "someone else got this/that/the other" doesn't mean it is right for another person.

Also, going to A & E with a foot which has been sore for 10 days????

WetBandits · 11/07/2023 00:45

Why did you wait ten days when she was in pain and limping?

CountryStore · 11/07/2023 00:45

The op has insisted that her daughter is given a boot, even though it's not indicated for the injury and could actually make the foot weaker. Why??