It’s a “should I go to A&E?” one…

[Cinnamonbonbon]

Earlier today a heavy box fell on my foot. It was painful at the time but not too bad, I assumed just bruised. I’ve taken the dog out for a walk tonight. Foot felt fine whilst I was walking but since getting back it’s absolute agony. I can move my toes but it’s very painful. It hurts on top, underneath and at the side.

If I wait til the morning I can’t get to A&E as DP will be at work for the day.

Yes, I'd say A&E tonight given those circumstances. Or, at least call 111, but it probably needs an xray.

Just be prepared for a long wait in a&e

@BrendaSmall really dangerous “advice”

I would to the minor injury tomorrow. I’d use a taxi to get there and back as long as you think you’ll be able to put your foot on the floor tomorrow.

That is not true.

You can walk when you have broken a bone in your foot, as my dc will testify.

I walked up 2 flights of stairs with a broken ankle, ended up with leg in plaster, so yes you can walk on broken ankles etc.

I would say important things are:

• you will quite likely need an x-ray so go where there is one
• you probably will struggle to look after baby while having treatment so either leave baby with someone or take baby and another adult
• You shouldn't drive, so either get a taxi or get someone to take you
• Ignore the daft comment about not needing A+E if you can walk on it, that's a clueless person.

It sounds unlikely to be something that will worsen overnight, so I would decide where and when to go based on the easiest way to cover the points above. Good luck

@stichguru good, practical decision making advice

My husband had a similar experience.

@Cinnamonbonbon go and get checked.

Interestingly, you shouldn't take ibuprofen apparently - I have a child with a badly sprained ankle and the info the hospital sent us home with says ibuprofen can delay healing and to only take if advised by the doctor!

@BrendaSmall don't say that, you don't know what you're talking about. Wish people wouldn't spout such rubbish on here.

Yeah I'd go to A and E if you're in that much pain and can get a baby sitter. There's no use dragging it out when you may not have the right treatment and it could be worse tomorrow. At least this way you'll knowing can make a plan for how to look after your baby tomorrow if needed x

I'm confident that this is exactly what A&E is for. A fair amount of people think you should only use NHS facilities if the only alternative is certain death and it just isn't the case. Go and get it checked before it gets worse.

I've lost count of the amount of people I have xrayed over the years who have walked in with broken toes, feet, ankles and even the odd pelvis !
Also having a broken bone doesn't mean that you can't move your toes or fingers.

I'd also go to minor injuries with the baby tomorrow. If you go to a&e and have a massive wait, you'll be wrecked tomorrow and have to look after the baby on your own by the sounds of it

I'd go to my A&E with this when the minor injuries ward is open, closes at 10 pm however wouldn’t go to A&E on a BH Monday. You won’t get seen for hours

Walking and “walking a dog” are two different things surely?
I’d wait until morning and get an X-ray.

Go to A&E now while you’ve got childcare.

I had a patient walk in with a broken hip and I heard of a guy who walked in with a broken neck. It just all depends.

Given you managed to go for a walk and it “felt fine” it doesn’t sound like you need urgent assessment tonight. You’re going to have a long wait in A&E on a Sunday night. I’d ice it, elevate it and reassess in the morning.

Hope it settles quickly for you!

If it were me, I'd treat at home with painkillers, ice and elevation, maybe a gentle support bandage if you have one, and see how tomorrow goes. I'd be considering going to A&E if it were worse/still really bad by tomorrow evening.

Even if it is broken they're not going to "fix" it tonight, and if you managed a whole dog walk, I can't see that it's bad enough to be worrying it might need urgent surgery or anything.

I don’t doubt it. But how many can say they’ve been for a walk, for leisure, and it “felt fine”?

This sounds like a situation where watch and wait is a sensible approach.

Not true. I could walk when i had a fall, thought was bad sprain and left it, could walk but was agony. 6 month later still issues, went to have it xrayed and it had healed badly where it had broken. I wish i had gone to a&e

I went to a&e with a sore ankle/foot
Had walked on it for 6 days, waitressing and been out clubbing in heels
No swelling or bruising. They x rayed me and I had not only broken my foot but my ankle and I spent 12 weeks in 2 different types of casts before a boot and then physio

RICE it for tonight and see how you are in the morning. Prepare your DH/ family member that you may need help with a trip to minor injuries tomorrow if there is no improvement

Phone nhs24 and let them decide the best course of action.

They may say it's fine to wait. Or to go straight in tonight.

Or advise you to go to the out of hours tomorrow and could they make an appointment for you at like 6pm or whatever suits once DH is home to babysit and before it closes at 8pm?

I was disagreeing with another poster who said that A&E is not necessary if you can walk on it. Besides, the OP says she can't get there in the morning.