Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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

Any medics or physios around? DS hurt neck at rugby and not sure if he needs to go to hospital

29 replies

pharmachameleon · 12/09/2023 18:29

DS age 13 hurt his neck in a scrum at rugby today in school. He can walk about ok but his neck is in real pain and he is limiting his movement when he tries to turn his head to the side.
I presume it's just soft tissue injury but obviously I'm worried about paralysis/spinal cord injuries. Would he not be able to move straight away if he had done major damage does anyone know or could it be delayed?
My gut instinct tells me he's fine and I would rather not go and spend hours in A&E if I don't have to. But obviously I will do this if needed.
Thanks

OP posts:
AuntieJoyce · 12/09/2023 18:31

Have you got a minor injuries? They were often faster for my DS when he had sports injuries

PortalooSunset · 12/09/2023 18:32

Call 111, they can book you an appointment at urgent care.

CatherinedeBourgh · 12/09/2023 18:33

Hate to alarm you but I knew someone in exactly this situation and he turned out to have two cracked vertebrae - if he hadn't gone to be seen he could well have ended up paralysed, as it was he spent a long time in a contraption.

Vallencia · 12/09/2023 18:42

2nd calling 111

Original poster
pharmachameleon · 12/09/2023 18:48

I'm on hold.
He is walking about. Pain is at the side of his neck and not near his spine. He's guarding it and it's painful turning his head. I'm 99% sure it's soft tissue but I'll keep holding on.

OP posts:
senua · 12/09/2023 18:51

What first aid / risk assessment / triage have the school done?
It might be an idea to go to a hospital with X-ray to see if he has broken vertebrae.

Original poster
pharmachameleon · 12/09/2023 18:56

After the injury the teacher asked if he could move his head then told him to sit at the side.

OP posts:
SaltyCrisps · 12/09/2023 20:42

I can't imagine not taking anybody, let alone a child, to A&E with that kind of injury. He is definitely injured, it occurred traumatically (playing rugby), and he's in significant pain. Without an x-ray it won't be possible to know whether he has a fracture. Why on earth would you run the risk?

CrapBucket · 12/09/2023 20:42

I’m not a medic but I’d get it xrayed, it’s the only way to be sure and it’s too risky not to?

reallyworriedjobhunter · 12/09/2023 20:44

A and E surely

Riverlee · 12/09/2023 20:45

If in doubt, go. It may need an X-ray

slopsan · 12/09/2023 20:48

Mechanism of injury being rugby scrum, I would take him to a+e

Original poster
pharmachameleon · 12/09/2023 21:21

He's in A&E just now with his dad. Minor injuries near me is closed at night so NHS 24 advised just to turn up at A&E.

OP posts:
Vallencia · 12/09/2023 22:29

Aw good luck to your ds - hopefully just soft tissue as you say, but not worth the risk not to get checked out. My ds <11yrs broke a bone in his foot once, not particularly bad accident and didn't even cry! 2nd time looked worse and no break 🤷‍♀️ they'd far rather they were checked out so don't feel like you're wasting anyone's time. You'll feel better knowing too.

MrsMigginscoffee · 12/09/2023 22:39

Oh bless him and you. My son has just started playing rugby at high school, loves it and terrifies me at the thought of the injuries

Original poster
pharmachameleon · 12/09/2023 22:44

Thanks. It's just the waiting in A&E. They are still there and haven't been seen yet. Both DS and DH are knackered!

OP posts:
MidnightOnceMore · 12/09/2023 22:47

I hope he's ok. Highly likely you're right but best to check.

Rugby needs to go the same way as boxing, private clubs only. It's an inappropriate sport for compulsory PE.

katmarie · 12/09/2023 22:54

pharmachameleon · 12/09/2023 18:56

After the injury the teacher asked if he could move his head then told him to sit at the side.

I'm not sure that's the best approach for first aid following a head or neck injury, it might be worth flagging this with the school and getting them to review their first aid training especially for teachers running rugby sessions.

MrsMigginscoffee · 13/09/2023 06:49

Hope your DS is ok !

Hiddenvoice · 13/09/2023 06:53

katmarie · 12/09/2023 22:54

I'm not sure that's the best approach for first aid following a head or neck injury, it might be worth flagging this with the school and getting them to review their first aid training especially for teachers running rugby sessions.

Show quote history

I second this, any neck or head injuries in my school get properly checked over by the first aider. I’m guessing the teacher didn’t realise how hurt your ds was.
I’d maybe flag to the school that he needed checked over at A&E etc and politely ask the procedures for neck and head injuries in school and during pe.

Hope hour ds is okay and didn’t have too long a wait in A&E.

OrlandointheWilderness · 13/09/2023 06:56

How did he get on OP? Chances are it's nothing rest and painkillers won't sort, but always best to get checked in case.

Original poster
pharmachameleon · 13/09/2023 07:40

Thanks all. He was seen last night around midnight by a doctor who agreed it was probably a soft tissue injury but wanted a x ray to make sure. Got his x ray and no problems thank goodness.
He's off school today and maybe the rest of the week but I'll see how he goes each day.
I'll speak to him more about how the injury was dealt with at school. My DS didn't really want to talk much yesterday so the school may have dealt with it much better than my DS explained.
Thanks for the advice everyone!

OP posts:
Vallencia · 13/09/2023 07:53

Good to hear OP, must have been a worrying wait for the x Ray results. Just had to double read your post - thought it said he was off TO school today - I thought blimey! There are some good physio tips on YouTube for gentle neck exercises when he's ready - I did something similar a few years back, it can be incredibly painful and it really helped.

senua · 13/09/2023 08:24

Phew. Thank goodness it's good news.
It might be an idea to raise it with the school. Maybe say that DS is off today because of neck injury sustained in a scrum and put the wind up them. Let them sweat a bit before you tell them that all is clear!

Original poster
pharmachameleon · 13/09/2023 08:35

Thanks. @Vallencia oh that's a good idea-I'll have a look. He is guarding his neck and doesn't want to move it but I realise if he doesn't move it his neck will probably take a bit longer to heal.
Rugby is such a brutal sport! I hate him playing it but he absolutely loves it so he won't stop it anytime soon.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread