do I need to go to the doctor?

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rh71

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
Yes I'm asking ATOT for health advice.

So as I was carrying my kid down the stairs last night he dropped his toy car and I stepped on it as I got off the last step... I bent my right foot sideways and heard a crack and distinctly felt something give... it's not the ankle but the foot itself... the pinky toe area halfway up to the ankle was pretty swolen. Immediately I started having chills and uncontrollable shaking but no pain in the foot... I don't know if it was a nerve but I could barely control myself. 10 minutes later that went away and I started feeling the pain, about a 6/10. It was swollen a bit on top of the foot, more on the right side. I can't tell if it's a bone or what - never broke anything before.

This morning I can't walk on it at all but the pain level is 2/10 if I don't put weight on it. I should probably have it xray'd but what can they possibly do for it besides put a cast on it? Do I even need that? Yes I have insurance but if it's something I can just wait out, I'd rather do that. What should it feel like if I fractured or broke something?
 
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bobdole369

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2004
4,504
2
0
Listen to Mosh. It isn't an ER thing, but if you call your primary doctor (if you have that sort of healthplan) they might be able to get you into an xray lab today.

If a bone is fractured in your foot, welcome to walking cast land.
 
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bignateyk

Lifer
Apr 22, 2002
11,288
7
0
This reminds me of that time my dog left a squeaky toy on the stairs. It kinda hurt when I fell, but everything seemed ok. Then after sitting on the couch for an hour I stood up and collapsed to the floor with lower back spasms.
 
R

rasczak

Lifer
Jan 29, 2005
10,437
23
81
yes. you most likely sprained it, (i've heard that po/crack sound a a few times I sprained my ankles) just go in under primary care, or if need be urgent care. no need for ER services if your pain level is at a 2. 6 or 7 would be a different story altogether.

good luck OP.
 
Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
Urgent Care for such a thing.

I'm actually sitting on 2 basketball injuries right now that I think I should have gone to UC for when they happened. Now, month+ later on each, it seems pointless. I'm in some sort of "no man's land" with these... 1 knee and 1 finger.
 
shiner

shiner

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
17,112
1
0
Its too late for the doctors to do anything. Get all your affairs in order, say goodbye to those you care about and prepare to meet your end.
 
T

thepd7

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2005
9,423
0
0
bobdole369 said:
Listen to Mosh. It isn't an ER thing, but if you call your primary doctor (if you have that sort of healthplan) they might be able to get you into an xray lab today.

If a bone is fractured in your foot, welcome to walking cast land.
Click to expand...

this

shiner said:
Its too late for the doctors to do anything. Get all your affairs in order, say goodbye to those you care about and prepare to meet your end.
Click to expand...

but really this
 
rh71

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
I'm reading about 6 weeks for fractures to heal... sob.

I'm gonna go to the urgent care place soon but wtf... a fracture has to feel worse than this. Does it really feel like nothing unless stressed?
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Homerboy said:
Urgent Care for such a thing.

I'm actually sitting on 2 basketball injuries right now that I think I should have gone to UC for when they happened. Now, month+ later on each, it seems pointless. I'm in some sort of "no man's land" with these... 1 knee and 1 finger.
Click to expand...

Heh. Those are the worst. I've got a couple fingers from basketball as well in the same situation. My right ring finger knuckle is still swollen and sore almost 3 months after the injury. I know it's hurt, and xray would show that there's some swelling but what really can you do? Just suck it up deal with it. Don't need to pay a doctor visit to tell me that.

With the foot issue on the OP I'd probably go get an xray done just to rule out a bone fracture vs. soft tissue. One heals with some ice, NSAIDs and rest. The other might need a cast or boot to aid in healing properly.
 
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Codewiz

Diamond Member
Jan 23, 2002
5,758
0
76
I broke my arm in 8th grade. I didn't think it was broken so my mom didn't know to take me to the doctor for about 3 days.

The pain went away after the first day unless I tried to do something.

So yes, it could be broken, it just isn't going to be a compound facture.
 
F

Fatdog

Golden Member
Nov 10, 2000
1,001
0
76
I did something similar and broke the fifth metatarsal in 2 places. Everything you describe sounds the same. Took about 3 weeks to heal well enough not to need the boot cast. It still get's sore when the weather changes though.
 
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bobdole369

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2004
4,504
2
0
Simple fractures often do feel like that, esp if its in a place with a bunch of little bones like your foot. When I had my major trauma I had no idea that my ankle had a fracture until they told me. I was in traction for the other leg (broken hip - car accident, long story) so they felt no need to do anything about it - it was set fine, just felt a weird pinch deep inside, sort of a dull ache. A doc actually came in and I thought he was looking at the wrong leg, I'm all "doc, the broken hips over here," he said "Nope, here for the broken ankle" - I'm "Whu???!!!"

I broke my pinky (left hand) catching a football. The only marker was that it swelled up huge, I didn't feel much pain there either.
 
D1gger

D1gger

Diamond Member
Oct 3, 2004
5,411
2
76
My wife did exactly the same thing when my son was a baby. She cracked a bone in her foot and was in a walking cast for about a month. She also delayed going to the doctor, who gave her shit when she finally went.
 
sourceninja

sourceninja

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2005
8,805
65
91
I was teaching a judo class once and my friend got thrown wrong and his partner landed on his ankle. There was a loud pop followed by screaming.

I, being a cocky, stupid, and young teacher told him he sprained it and to stop being a baby. I then made him walk to the car and to the restaurant after for dinner.

The next day he sends me a photo and asks me if it's ok that it's the size of a softball and black. He now has 3 screws in his foot. I still have not forgiven myself for being a asshole.
 
Gooberlx2

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Yeppers, PCP or urgent care would suffice. I don't recommend waiting to see if it gets better on its own though.
 
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TurtleCrusher

TurtleCrusher

Lifer
Apr 20, 2008
10,067
990
126
Short answer: Absolutely you need to go to UC or your primary doctor. Probably UC. After breaking the ligaments in my ankle/entire foot and NOT having it seen, I spent the past year letting it heal on its own. Biggest regret ever. It would have taken me 3 months to heal if I had that checked right away. It snapped like how you are describing, but the pain only got worse.

Long answer: Yes.
 
SKORPI0

SKORPI0

Lifer
Jan 18, 2000
18,485
2,419
136
shiner said:
Its too late for the doctors to do anything. Get all your affairs in order, say goodbye to those you care about and prepare to meet your maker.
Click to expand...

Fixed, I should kick you in the nuts.....:hmm:

OP, in situations like this the best way is seek treatment ASAP. Chances are you'll end up with a cast. Good luck.
 
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