Sore elbow, possible chipped bone - wait for dr app or A & E when quiet for check-up?

danih

Hi.

I fell on saturday on a stoney footpath - my dog and a new friend were racing around like mad edjits and crashed into me mid stride. Ended up on hands, elbows and knees. Right side is worse off - stones and dirt in heel of my hand, huge bruise and scrapes on knee.

My elbow is the only thing that hasn't improved - Until last night I could feel an eggshell feeling on a section about the size of my thumbnail. The section was hard, moved independently, and rasped against the bone below. No stones - elbow was cushioned beneath a v heavy winter coat. There is a c shaped bruise on the lower part of the elbow, and I can't put pressure on the elbow or upper part of the arm - rest my elbow on the table, upper arm on the bed, or carry my (admittedly heavy) handbag. the whole elbow is also very warm to the touch.

However, I can still do a lot with that arm - can type, put my make up on, even drive (wouldn't manage the gears if it was on the opposite side) - with minimum pain - controlled by ibrufen.

My big concern is that there may be a chip in the bone, i'm worried about how it will heal if I don't get it checked out. My husband is a nurse, and is worried that there is a small chance of it moving and healing akwardly.

So, problem is, I can get a dr app by ringing in the morning and going in that day. But i am working office hours tomorrow and wed, 70 minutes drive each way from my doctors, and can't get the time away from work to suit the doctors times. My doctor doesn't run in the evenings.

I can go to the doctors on Thursday. And I'm think I probably should - its sore and uncomfortable, but clearly now a big emergency. They can have a look at it, and then refer me to the hospital for an x-ray.

BUT would it be really bad to pop into the A and E that I pass on my way home from work, on the assumption that they will be relatively quiet at tea time on a monday evening, if my assumption is right - get a checkup and x-ray if needed all in one go? Is this a bad waste of A and E resources?

What does everybody think?

Tiddlywinks

Your husband is a nurse? Well, what does he suggest? GP or A&E?

He is better placed than most of us to advise you... and he has, I assume, seen the injury.

Person_one

We're not allowed to give medical advice on here, but I have to agree with the above poster, ask your husband, he is allowed!

[Deleted User]

Do you have a walk-in centre near you? Mondays are often the busiest days in ED, so you may have a long wait for a non-priority issue.

Personally - i'd call in sick from work and go to a morning emergency GP clinic. You may end up with an ED referral anyway though.

danih

Husband said GP - but we were assuming I might get in either first think in the morning or last thing in the evening - 9/10 ish or 4/5 ish. I can't book anything for tomorrow - have to ring that morning, the appointment can be anytime - today they offered me 12 or 1pm, and have been warned I might have to wait for a while. Which is grand for Thursday, but doesn't work for next two days.

My debate is the use of A and E - seems so much handier - could get seen today and have 1 app rather then two. But seems like a waste of resources.

I do think I have myself talked around to a Thursday GP app. Love the idea of getting seen today at A and E, but feel guilty.

danih

No walk in centre

[Deleted User]

See if there is a walk in centre near you:
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/Pages/Walk-incentresSummary.aspx

or try giving NHS Direct a call:
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/

or call 111:
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/Pages/NHS-111.aspx

or, alternatively, call your GP before going to ask their advice.

[Deleted User]

Or - see if you have an 'out of hours' phone number for your local health authority

danih

There is an out of hours facility at my hospital at home. It isn't an A and E unit, might google that.

naomijj

Def get it x rayed my mum chipped her elbow falling in a very similar way and it wasn't spotted straight sway. It still causes her isssues. Hope you are ok x

danih

The local hospital has a "24-hour Urgent Care and Treatment Centre". Same as A and E but less services???