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Original poster

Quick, could he have a broken wrist or something or unlikely? Arm shut in car door!

29 replies

WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 08:32

And before you think I've got a wailing child standing here while I post on mumsnet, I haven't, I've just packed him off to school with dh, who takes him. On their way out ds had his arm in the car door while dh was shutting it (how tf it happened I don't know, wasn't there) and they came screaming back into the house a minute after they'd left. Ds has had Calpol already this morning because he's got a spot in his mouth and he was complaining that it hurt. I know it won't make the spot go away but it will stop it hurting for a bit. So I checked he could waggle his fingers, which he can, and move his hand up and down, which he can, and concluded that it's not broken and I should pack him off to school. He has a plaster on his wrist because there's a small scratch on it. He also has instructions that if it really hurts he must tell the teacher and I'll come and get him. Eeek, was I hasty? He'd stopped crying by the time I got the plaster on which makes me tinhk it can't have been that bad but dh said 'I HEARD it CRUNCH' - more I think because he was panicking about being late and he was being a drama queen, as is sometimes his wont. Reassurance please! Or otherwise if you think I was harsh. Ds is 8.5yo btw. Thanks.

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 30/03/2006 08:35

I dunno - I'm ultra paranoid and would probably take him down to A&E to check tbh (although bear in mind I have younger children and even the five year old can't always verbalise what's wrong with him or where/how it hurts, so my stance may change when he's 8!)

I very much doubt A&E would think you were foolish for checking, and far better that you're late today and waste some time than find out a week later that he had got a fracture and it hasn't been healing properly...

Freckle · 30/03/2006 08:36

I'm sure if it's broken, it will become clear during the morning. Children's bones are quite flexible at this age, so what would break an adult's arm might not do the same to a child - although it will be very painful.

Play it by ear and, if in any doubt, take him to A&E. Might be an idea to speak to the school so they can keep an eye on him.

Original poster
WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 08:37

Oh I don't care about being late, I haven't got to be anywhere but I don't want to go to A&E if it really is fine and nothing's broken etc and if dh and ds were both being drama queens. Have just called dh and said I'll come and get ds before he's dropped to school if he says it's still hurting.

OP posts:
Original poster
WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 08:38

Because A&E will be a minimum of 4 hours sitting around, so I really don't want an unnecesary trip! OK, I think I'll call the school now and tell them to call me if they're remotely worried.

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GeorginaA · 30/03/2006 08:41

Reason for my paranoia is that you keep hearing of doctors who miss fractures without a proper x-ray - so I feel the chances of me being able to tell if my kid has fractured a bone or not are zilch Grin

I dunno though WWW - 8am on a Thursday can't be a hugely busy time in A&E can it?

zippitippitoes · 30/03/2006 08:41

It can be quite hard to tell if a child has a fractured wrist or arm, though if he didn't feel faint or sick after then it might be a good sign.

Original poster
WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 08:46

OK, I've spoken to the teacher and she will call me if he seems in pain. I've also spoken to dh, ho admits he may NOT have heard a crunch, and to ds, who says it doesn't hurt at all atm and that he can fully move his arm. I've told him I can come and get him at the drop of a hat if he wants me to. So I think I'll leave it and see, if it is anything worse I guess it will become obvious by lunchtime. Thanks everyone.

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GeorginaA · 30/03/2006 08:47

That's good :)

Sounds like a bit of parental guilt overexaggeration on the part of your dh then ;)

Original poster
WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 08:49

I think so GeorginaA, also, he wanted to just GO with dd and leave ds for me to take as he was running about a minute late, so it was in his interests to make it sound as dramatic as possible. I was the calm one! :)

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Chapsmum · 30/03/2006 08:52

Chiledn are notorious for causing buckle fractures (small bends in the bone)
Unless they are causing major pain and problems they are usually treated like a sprain.
REest Ice analgesia Elevation and a tubigrip if nessesary
pain is probably your best indicator of a problem here.

HTH

Miaou · 30/03/2006 09:09

OOh www, I am wincing! Dh managed to shut dd1's hand in the car door, right across her knuckles, and the door shut completely Shock! We were on holiday and were right outside the hospital at the time, so went straight in and got it x-rayed - it was just bruised fortunately. She was 7 when it happened.

zippitippitoes · 30/03/2006 09:11

We have heavy sliding doors on the rear of our car and although they are convenient they seem scarily dangerous

Original poster
WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 09:26

Thanks Chapsmum (you work in a&e don't you? I spotted it on another thread!), well he had Calpol so I guess let's see if there's any pain once it's worn off, so a couple of hours I guess. Thanks zippi and miaou too.

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DumbledoresGirl · 30/03/2006 09:33

My ds1 brokew his arm twice in the space of 10 months when about your child's age. The first time it was a really severe break and he had to have an op and GA to put it right. But even so, he was quite calm by the time I got to school to pick him up. I don't think the hospital staff could believe how calm he was given the break.

The second time, he was scared he would need another op (he hates the needles!) so did not tell me he had hurt his arm again and I did not realise anything was wrong until the next day. It was fortunately only a minor break this time.

My point is, your son might have broken his arm and he would not need to be screaming the place down. If he has broken his arm, it will become apparent soon enough!

Original poster
WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 09:35

Oh bloody hell, really DG? He's not scared of a&e so would tell me I think if it hurt.

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MrsWobble · 30/03/2006 09:36

my daughter has broken her arm twice. the first time there was no chance of missing the fact that something was wrong as she was in terrible pain - and she's a stoical thing with an incredibly high pain threshold. The second time we took her to the doctor because she was still holding her arm awkwardly a few days after the fall and it just didn't look right. After 4 hours in A&E and 2 X rays the conclusion was that she had probably chipped her elbow and it would get better with rest and Calpol. Given what you have described I would just keep an eye on it for a few days and provided he can move it freely and normally I wouldn't bother with A&E

DumbledoresGirl · 30/03/2006 09:38

Also my ds2 broke his leg when he was 19 months old and it was day before I realised that he really couldn't bear any weight on it. Bad mother or what?!

As you said earlier, I am sure that if he has broken his arm, when the Calpol wears off, you will know something is wrong. And if it is only a minor break, it won't come to any harm waiting a few hours before it receives medical attention.

Original poster
WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 09:38

Thanks MrsW. God mumsnet is brilliant at things like this isn't it? Ds has been remarkably lucky, we went to A&E for the first time ever in his life when he was 8 and they congratulated me for having got him to 8 with NO previous visits there! More luck than judgement but there you go!

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Chapsmum · 30/03/2006 10:02

a and e would x ray based on the history and examination. if the door was slammed it is a fairly significant injury and probably hold have some attention.
your gp could feel the bones and see if there is any need for an x ray if this does not settle.

If he has full use of his arm and hand and no numbness or tingling in his fingers. AND he is not sore I would say there is not much that needs to be done except what has been mentioned previously and keep an eye on it.

Original poster
WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 10:05

Chapsmum, do you mean probably SHOULD have some attention? OK, if so, I'll drive up to the school in a minute.

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Chapsmum · 30/03/2006 10:10

argghhh fingers,
yes WWW should.
But I mean slammed, not just clipped. Your dh need to be very honest about that!
(and if he is ok would wait till after school though. Its not an absolute emergency unless he is very sore and/or has a deformed wrist)

Chapsmum · 30/03/2006 10:19

www, are you still there????

Original poster
WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 10:29

I'm back, yes, I'm here. I don't tinhk it was slammed, dh was shutting it having put dd in her car seat, GOD knows why ds put his arm in the way at the last minute. OK, thanks, I'll wait til after school unless they ring me, we won't have dd so could go to a&e for a couple of hours! I will take snacks and books with me to school pick up in case. Thank you Chapsmum.

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Chapsmum · 30/03/2006 10:39

Its no problem, if you have a good a and e the triage nurse will be able to tell you if it needs an x ray and you shouldnt have to wait for too long if necessary
Hope he is pain free and forgotton about it, and hopefully it will save you a trip

tortoiseshell · 30/03/2006 11:40

Just seen this www - hope he's ok. If you need to go to A&E, go to the children's hospital - they have an A&E dept and it's SO much better than any of the other hospitals, and quicker I think! Hopefully he's ok anyway!