Foot help please
Discussion
End of May this year I stubbed my foot rather badly on an ornate cast-iron staircase.
I had the full range of movement - just about - as the whole thing was very swollen. The second and third toes hurt the most, so I assumed these were broken, strapped the two together (as any A&E would tell you) and hobbled about my way.
The problem is that three months in, while it's lot better, I've reached a plateau and still can't bear weight on the ball of my foot. Looking from above, it is still slightly swollen across the 1st metatarsal / proximal phalange area of the entire foot.
I'm sure that three months of hobbling on my heel and big toe can't have helped maintain flexibility in the foot as a whole (I continued to try and get about rather than rest it), but I'm surprised that it's still hurting.
My question now to any physios / podiatrists in the house is - where do I go from here?
Is it a question of just being patient, and that at my age (48) expect healing to take longer? Any exercises which may help?
Any investigations I should expect / insist on if I go to A&E?
Many thanks in advance,
Old Hopalong.
I had the full range of movement - just about - as the whole thing was very swollen. The second and third toes hurt the most, so I assumed these were broken, strapped the two together (as any A&E would tell you) and hobbled about my way.
The problem is that three months in, while it's lot better, I've reached a plateau and still can't bear weight on the ball of my foot. Looking from above, it is still slightly swollen across the 1st metatarsal / proximal phalange area of the entire foot.
I'm sure that three months of hobbling on my heel and big toe can't have helped maintain flexibility in the foot as a whole (I continued to try and get about rather than rest it), but I'm surprised that it's still hurting.
My question now to any physios / podiatrists in the house is - where do I go from here?
Is it a question of just being patient, and that at my age (48) expect healing to take longer? Any exercises which may help?
Any investigations I should expect / insist on if I go to A&E?
Many thanks in advance,
Old Hopalong.
sawman said:
probably best to get an x ray for starters - Your GP can organise this.
from then on it depends what the films show......
Don't go to A&E - its not an emergency, or an accident (now).
Your GP can arrange appropriate referral or start treatment themselves
Thanks - but would A&E send me away if I did go?from then on it depends what the films show......
Don't go to A&E - its not an emergency, or an accident (now).
Your GP can arrange appropriate referral or start treatment themselves
Trying to get an appointment with my GP is like trying to spin a room full of straw into gold by the morning.
They might do.
A&E are often very busy dealing with things that need urgent attention, not injuries which are months old so they could legitimately advise you go seek treatment elsewhere for your chronic condition.
Tedious, it may be, but your GP is the most appropriate route in to the healthcare system
hope you get to the bottom of it
A&E are often very busy dealing with things that need urgent attention, not injuries which are months old so they could legitimately advise you go seek treatment elsewhere for your chronic condition.
Tedious, it may be, but your GP is the most appropriate route in to the healthcare system
hope you get to the bottom of it
sawman said:
probably best to get an x ray for starters - Your GP can organise this.
from then on it depends what the films show......
Don't go to A&E - its not an emergency, or an accident (now).
Your GP can arrange appropriate referral or start treatment themselves
GP not A&E.from then on it depends what the films show......
Don't go to A&E - its not an emergency, or an accident (now).
Your GP can arrange appropriate referral or start treatment themselves
x1million%
Your GP practice has a duty to see you in a reasonable time. Your taxes pay for the building and everyone's salary inside.
Email the practice manager if you can't get an appointment, it should not be, and they have no right making it, hard to get an appointment.
Not A&E or minor injuries unit, or NHS direct, just your GP.
The_Doc said:
GP not A&E.
....
..or minor injuries unit, .....
Our minor injury unit is advertised as being for "bangs, cuts and bruises...."....
..or minor injuries unit, .....
In this case I would have thought it not too unreasonable for him to turn up there?? The only reason over going directly to the GP being timely access to imaging.
Happy to be corrected though.
ps..OP - do you have access to a piano tuning fork? If so, set it buzzing then hold it over the part of the foot that hurts. If it makes you jump through the roof, or feel sick with pain, then it can be a simple way to suggest a fracture diagnosis.
dave_s13 said:
The_Doc said:
GP not A&E.
....
..or minor injuries unit, .....
Our minor injury unit is advertised as being for "bangs, cuts and bruises...."....
..or minor injuries unit, .....
In this case I would have thought it not too unreasonable for him to turn up there?? The only reason over going directly to the GP being timely access to imaging.
Happy to be corrected though.
trust me. even if they do an xray they won't be able to interpret it, in this case.
trust me
If it was a minor injury, it would have gone away since May.
trust me, this is what I do.
The_Doc said:
whilst I have some respect for Minor Injury units, this will be beyond them
trust me. even if they do an xray they won't be able to interpret it, in this case.
trust me
If it was a minor injury, it would have gone away since May.
trust me, this is what I do.
Fair enough doc.trust me. even if they do an xray they won't be able to interpret it, in this case.
trust me
If it was a minor injury, it would have gone away since May.
trust me, this is what I do.
I'm a podiatrist BTW so seen a few feet in my time and I know what you mean about Xrays being interpreted creatively.
OP, make sure you update us with what happens.
Update:
Still not better after many months of strapping and patience. Many thanks tori for your ministrations
Doc agrees with you that it's a 'nerve pain'.
I finally went to my GP on 14 February, was referred to a specialist foot/ankle consultant whom I saw on 12 March, and I'm now booked in for an MRI scan of said foot on 2 April.
This is all on the NHS, but at a local private hospital which also does NHS work. To say I'm staggered at the speed with which I've been seen would be an understatement.
Is this at all usual? I'm impressed.
One very happy bunny. Thanks for the advice all.
Still not better after many months of strapping and patience. Many thanks tori for your ministrations
Doc agrees with you that it's a 'nerve pain'.I finally went to my GP on 14 February, was referred to a specialist foot/ankle consultant whom I saw on 12 March, and I'm now booked in for an MRI scan of said foot on 2 April.
This is all on the NHS, but at a local private hospital which also does NHS work. To say I'm staggered at the speed with which I've been seen would be an understatement.
Is this at all usual? I'm impressed.
One very happy bunny. Thanks for the advice all.
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