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Children's health

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Original poster

A&E question.... Sorry!

12 replies

CharChar91 · 15/07/2023 08:53

Yesterday my son (5) fell over at school, he landed on his hand and hurt his little finger. No phonecall or letter home or anything, he only told me once I'd collected him. It was pouring with rain so once we'd picked up his sister from preschool and got in the car I looked at it and it was swollen compared to the other one but there was no bruising. He said it hurt but he could move it.
We then went to pick up DP who works at the hospital, my plan was to take DS in to A&E to get it checked and he could drive home with DD or vise versa. He was totally dismissive, said he didn't need it looked at, we could just strap it at home with tape as that's all they'd do anyway if it was fractured or broken. Made me feel a bit dramatic wanting to get it checked out.
I feel really uncomfortable leaving it, but I don't know if I'm overreacting. Should I take him to A&E?

No walk in centre's here just A&E. DP works at the hospital but not in any kind of medical capacity.

OP posts:

Jellycats4life · 15/07/2023 08:54

I would want to get it checked. He’s only 5 after all.

Sparkletastic · 15/07/2023 08:56

If he's got good movement then no need for A&E. Isn't there a junior doctor's strike in UK at mo too? All the more reason not to go to hospital if so.

Wishiwasatailor · 15/07/2023 08:59

Most finger fractures are treated by strapping together, however if it’s rotated or severely displaced it might need further treatment so it’s worth getting it checked. Make sure he has pain relief on board you could also strap it yourself in the meantime for support

DustyLee123 · 15/07/2023 09:00

If he can move it normally I wouldn’t bother. Strap it to the next one if you want, but movement is best.

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 15/07/2023 09:02

A&E for a slightly swollen non-bruised finger he can move normally?
nope.

Original poster

CharChar91 · 15/07/2023 09:09

Photo of that helps?

OP posts:

ChrisPPancake · 15/07/2023 09:47

I wouldn't have said that needs A&E.

Talipesmum · 15/07/2023 09:53

If he can move it and isn’t in huge pain with it, it’d be best to put an ice pack on to reduce swelling and see how it goes. I don’t think I’d take to a&e for that - and I’ve been several times for other things. See if you can bring swelling down and give it a nights rest. If he’s not in inconsolable pain with it, you’ve not got much to lose from leaving it overnight.

Tulipvase · 15/07/2023 10:01

I’d probably see how it is for a bit but I thought fingers/hands were more likely to be checked to prevent permanent damage, more than toes for example.

I can’t word this very well, I’ve re written it about a million times…. I’d wait and see for a bit I think.

marchdays · 15/07/2023 16:16

I would get it looked at I think - it's not that it's a major injury or that there's much that may be done, but you do run the risk of a bad heal if it's displaced or you don't follow the correct medical advice. It looks pretty swollen and not clear if it's not straight?

A kid shouldn't have permanent issues with his finger because the adults of this country have chosen not to properly fund or staff hospitals.

And if your local health service has chosen to only have x-ray machines in a&e/ not have minor injury units then a&e is your only choice

YoungWild · 15/07/2023 20:50

I agree with DP just strap it. It’s a finger that’s all they’d do anyway if it’s broke

rach2713 · 15/07/2023 23:51

I agree with your dp strap it up and give it a few days. I done that with my son wjo hurt his finger and it heeled fine and its straight. A&E will just do the same.

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