Ankle problem

[ruthandsam]

Hi

My 20 year old son fell over in the garden last Friday and hurt his ankle. We applied an ice pack and elevated the leg. Went to hospital Saturday because it had swollen up like a balloon. Xray showed a chip in the bone and he had back cast put on up to his knee but they were unsure whether the chip in the bone was just how his foot usually was and not a result of the injury. Had it checked a the GPs today and he said he just needed a compression bandage on because it was not broken. Cast was removed and then he went to local non emergency hospital and they said that he does not need a compression bandage on. What???

Now, 5 hours later his toes and underneath of his foot are swollen and black and he is now in pain. Please someone tell me - what next? Should he really have a c bandage on or not - he's in a lot more pain now than ever before. Oh and he has an orthopaedic appt next week but we just need to know what to do until then!

Can hardly believe that the nurses/doctors disagree with each other.

Many thanks

[tonyav]

I would take him to the A & E, if I were you.

[Sqad]

It really doesn't matter whether he has a cast or a compression bandage in the initial phase.....the important factor is that it is X-Rayed and re-assesed by an Orthopaedic surgeon next week.

Rest the leg (elevated) and Ibuprofen 600mgms for the pain.

The treatment initially is just a matter of opinion....no harm will be done either way.

[Brinjal]

Make some big ice blocks in old yoghurt cups and have him rub the sore swollen area until it becomes numb with cold. Ice directly on the skin. I was told to do that when I tore a muscle in my shoulder. It helped with the pain greatly. And of course don't forget the Ibuprofen.

[lcg]

take him back to a+e if he is still in pain - ask for pain relief, their assessment of his needs and any bandaging/plastering required. explain you are not happy about the difference of opinion and get them to treat him. both me and my son have had fractures missed by walk-in centres and as a result complications. i would never go back to on if i thought i had broken something....a+e all the way!!!! good luck x