Is this worth an ER visit?

[Jennifer in MI]

Last Saturday, my ds10 flipped over his handlebars on his bike and landed on his arm and head (thank God for helmets!). Anyway, we took him to the ER that night for an xray. They said it wasn't broken.

 

He's been having pretty severe pain in that arm for the last four days. He is unable to throw a baseball or grasp a bat without quite a bit of pain (and baseball is his LIFE!!). Today we rode bikes and he said it hurt to ride.

 

When we got home, I noticed that his hand was all swollen. It hadn't been swollen until today. His ER papers said if there was a severe increase in swelling, to come back in. I wouldn't call this severe, but it's definately there.

 

I tried calling the dr and he doesn't have office hours today.

 

Why would his non-broken arm STILL be hurting this much? And, why would it suddenly be swelling after not being swollen at all? Should we go back to the ER?

[4kids4me]

None of us can see it and you can. Go with your gut and do what you think is best. Maybe they missed something.

[Firefly65]

First, I hesitate to give medical advice because I don't even play a doctor on T.V. :p But I think I would give him some ibuprofen and see how early you can get him into the doctor tomorrow. If the swelling gets really bad, take him to the E.R. I wouldn't let him ride his bike, throw a baseball, etc. until you do get in to see the doctor, though. Tell him to give it a rest until you find out what is going on. He might have torn a muscle or have bruising in the muscle. Where exactly does it hurt? I will keep him in my prayers.

[Firefly65]

First, I hesitate to give medical advice because I don't even play a doctor on T.V. :p But I think I would give him some ibuprofen and see how early you can get him into the doctor tomorrow. If the swelling gets really bad, take him to the E.R. I wouldn't let him ride his bike, throw a baseball, etc. until you do get in to see the doctor, though. Tell him to give it a rest until you find out what is going on. He might have torn a muscle or have bruising in the muscle. Where exactly does it hurt? I will keep him in my prayers.

 

You might want to ice the injured area, too. It will be uncomfortable, but it will ease the pain and bring the swelling down.

[Jan in SC]

I would call his doctor. My son broke his arm last year and the ER doctor missed it. It can be very hard to read kids films and sometimes breaks show up better after a day or two.

[HollyinNNV]

My doc told me that broken bones often do not show up on an x-ray initially. So, I'd suggest going back and asking them to do another x-ray.

Holly

[TraceyS/FL]

My brother broke his arm in 2 places (below the elbow & wrist), had it surgically set that night in the ER.

 

When they took him to our family Orthopedic - he said, "Well, what about the break ABOVE the elbow?"

 

I'd probably not go back THERE, but if you don't need a referral take him to a Ped Ortho if you have one, or a regular one.

[JudoMom]

I would call his doctor. My son broke his arm last year and the ER doctor missed it. It can be very hard to read kids films and sometimes breaks show up better after a day or two.

 

:iagree: I would take him back in.

[Myrtle]

Last Saturday, my ds10 flipped over his handlebars on his bike and landed on his arm and head (thank God for helmets!). Anyway, we took him to the ER that night for an xray. They said it wasn't broken.

 

He's been having pretty severe pain in that arm for the last four days. He is unable to throw a baseball or grasp a bat without quite a bit of pain (and baseball is his LIFE!!). Today we rode bikes and he said it hurt to ride.

 

When we got home, I noticed that his hand was all swollen. It hadn't been swollen until today. His ER papers said if there was a severe increase in swelling, to come back in. I wouldn't call this severe, but it's definately there.

 

I tried calling the dr and he doesn't have office hours today.

 

Why would his non-broken arm STILL be hurting this much? And, why would it suddenly be swelling after not being swollen at all? Should we go back to the ER?

 

I would look up the name and number of an orthopedist and get an office appointment. They are likely to have x-ray machines in their office and you'll pay on the office fee of a specialist rather than $1000 for an ER visit.

[Jugglin'5]

I agree, skip the ER, and get thee to an orthopedist. Otherwise you may end up with two bills after your orthopedist has to reset the bone that the ER screwed up.:glare:

[Myrtle]

My brother broke his arm in 2 places (below the elbow & wrist), had it surgically set that night in the ER.

 

When they took him to our family Orthopedic - he said, "Well, what about the break ABOVE the elbow?"

 

I'd probably not go back THERE, but if you don't need a referral take him to a Ped Ortho if you have one, or a regular one.

 

 

Sometimes emergency rooms aren't the best place for care. I would only go to one for a life or death situation.

 

Husband broke his hand and bypassed the whole ER visit and went straight to the orthopedist.

 

When my son was little he ripped part of his lip off his face, my pediatrician called a plastic surgeon for me and we met in his office and got it stitched up right away, correctly by a specialist and it was much, much cheaper than an ER visit.

[Firefly65]

I agree with the others. I was actually thinking of finding a sports medicine clinic that would see you today. ERs are such a pain when it comes to cost and the amount of time you will be there waiting just to see someone. Hope you find someone who can care for your son today. God bless.

[Jennifer in MI]

Thank you SOOOO much everyone!!! We usually use the ER for true emergencies, but dh was leaving for a week on Sunday. So, on Sat night, he took him in for an xray so I wouldn't have to deal with it alone with three kids!

 

So, I'm going to call my doc at home (he goes to our church and encourages us to call him at home if we need to!) and see which ortho doc he recommends.

 

Thanks so much!!!

[Myrtle]

Thank you SOOOO much everyone!!! We usually use the ER for true emergencies, but dh was leaving for a week on Sunday. So, on Sat night, he took him in for an xray so I wouldn't have to deal with it alone with three kids!

 

So, I'm going to call my doc at home (he goes to our church and encourages us to call him at home if we need to!) and see which ortho doc he recommends.

 

Thanks so much!!!

 

Give us an update!

[The Governess]

I agree that it could be broken even if it didn't show up on the x ray. I fractured my ankle last summer; it was a hairline fracture and didn't show up on an x ray until my third one two weeks later!! The doctor said that some small breaks won't show up on film until they have started to heal.

 

And I second trying to get into an orthopedist. If you have to have a referral, is there an urgent care you can go to, or another on-call doctor? I would try to do anything and everything before taking him into the ER.

 

In the meantime, I would keep it elevated and ice it for 20 minutes out of every hour....based on what my orthopedist had me do for my ankle. Ibuprofin couldn't hurt either.

[The Governess]

Ooops, I didn't see your update before I posted. How did it go?

[Jennifer in MI]

Okay - I called the orthopedic dr/sports clinic. My ds played baseball with his son and his specialty happens to be lower arm/hand! Anyway, we got in tomorrow. This guy is supposed to be the best around, so we ought to know more then.

 

Ds's hand is still quite swollen, but it's his arm that hurts. Weird.

[JudoMom]

Let us know what the doctor says. Hopefully it's something that'll heal quickly so your ds can get back to baseball :001_smile:.

[Firefly65]

Okay - I called the orthopedic dr/sports clinic. My ds played baseball with his son and his specialty happens to be lower arm/hand! Anyway, we got in tomorrow. This guy is supposed to be the best around, so we ought to know more then.

 

Ds's hand is still quite swollen, but it's his arm that hurts. Weird.

 

I'm so glad you let us know! I will be praying that all goes well. Please let us know what the doctor has to say. :)

[JudoMom]

Okay - I called the orthopedic dr/sports clinic. My ds played baseball with his son and his specialty happens to be lower arm/hand! Anyway, we got in tomorrow. This guy is supposed to be the best around, so we ought to know more then.

 

Ds's hand is still quite swollen, but it's his arm that hurts. Weird.

 

Hey Jennifer-

 

Did you get any answers about your ds? How's he feeling?

 

(Sorry if I missed an update :001_smile:)

[elegantlion]

I would look up the name and number of an orthopedist and get an office appointment. They are likely to have x-ray machines in their office and you'll pay on the office fee of a specialist rather than $1000 for an ER visit.

 

:iagree:

[jmgconner]

Bumping up.

 

How's his arm doing?

[JudoMom]

Hey Jennifer--

 

Another bump! How's your ds?

[Jennifer in MI]

Oops! I'm so sorry! I meant to update, but we waited for TWO HOURS at the orthopedic guy and then had to rush home and get two kids to baseball games that night.

 

Anyway, his arm is not broken. The doctor said he thinks that he bruised the muscle. He is banned from baseball until next week (ds was very upset!). If it's still sore next Wed, we'll take him back in for another xray.

 

I was just relieved that it wasn't broken.

 

Thanks so much for asking!

[JudoMom]

Oops! I'm so sorry! I meant to update, but we waited for TWO HOURS at the orthopedic guy and then had to rush home and get two kids to baseball games that night.

 

Anyway, his arm is not broken. The doctor said he thinks that he bruised the muscle. He is banned from baseball until next week (ds was very upset!). If it's still sore next Wed, we'll take him back in for another xray.

 

I was just relieved that it wasn't broken.

 

Thanks so much for asking!

 

I'm glad it's just a bump in his baseball plans and not season ending!

[Jennifer in MI]

I'm glad it's just a bump in his baseball plans and not season ending!

 

Me too!

[TraceyS/FL]

Sometimes emergency rooms aren't the best place for care. I would only go to one for a life or death situation.

 

Husband broke his hand and bypassed the whole ER visit and went straight to the orthopedist.

 

When my son was little he ripped part of his lip off his face, my pediatrician called a plastic surgeon for me and we met in his office and got it stitched up right away, correctly by a specialist and it was much, much cheaper than an ER visit.

 

SOme of these only work in a big town!

 

My brothers arm was about 18 years ago too ;)

 

But we can drive an hour to the Level 1 trauma center, that now has a childrens ER. I won't go to my local one unless i HAVE to - but i also might not have a choice either :(

[TraceyS/FL]

Glad to hear it's minor, and hopefully he is back to playing ball QUICK!

 

Oops! I'm so sorry! I meant to update, but we waited for TWO HOURS at the orthopedic guy and then had to rush home and get two kids to baseball games that night.

 

Anyway, his arm is not broken. The doctor said he thinks that he bruised the muscle. He is banned from baseball until next week (ds was very upset!). If it's still sore next Wed, we'll take him back in for another xray.

 

I was just relieved that it wasn't broken.

 

Thanks so much for asking!

[Jennifer in MI]

Aww. Thanks guys. I tried to rep ya' both, but I've already handed it out too many times to both of you!!

 

BTW - he still isn't using the arm today. He tried to throw the ball today and came in very upset because it hurt. (Doc said he could throw the ball in the back yard a few times, but just not play in a game.)

[Brindee]

BTW - he still isn't using the arm today. He tried to throw the ball today and came in very upset because it hurt. (Doc said he could throw the ball in the back yard a few times, but just not play in a game.)

Ohhh, poor guy! That's so hard! I surely do hope it heals up soon and he can get on with his season!

 

Praying for healing and NO after-effects from this!:001_smile: