Dr. Hive: Go to the ER? Warning - picture of a foot

[stephanier.1765]

While cleaning this morning, I dropped one of those heavy, glass Yankee candles on my foot. Initially, I didn't give it much thought because I was busy with my cleaning but as time has gone by the more it hurts. The pain is not at the "I feel like crying" stage but it is increasing. I really don't want to go to the ER or even an urgent care, if I can help it. What do you think? Xrays?

Please ignore the scratches. Just a part of life with kittens. 

[Arctic Bunny]

I would RICE - rest, ice, compress, elevate - for a while and see how it goes.

[rebcoola]

RICE.  I would call and see what they say we have one urgent care that's been set aside only for injuries.

[Pen]

I would also basically RICE —

(though I might alternate ice and warmth if that seemed helpful 

plus I would use homeopathic arnica, herbal comfrey salve, and maybe take some magnesium )

in addition see if you can get a telemedicine visit

[gardenmom5]

I know the standard TX is "rest, elevate, ice, immobilize" - the only reason I would suggest having it looked at is a fracture that tears away a piece of bone isn't so simple.  We took dh to urgent care (should have gone to the ER.).  they missed it.  a small piece of bone torn away.  He was later correctly diagnosed, but there has been nerve damage that has affected the circulation in that foot.

- eta: dsil did similar with a finger.  they were looking at surgery for a tiny piece of bone that tore off, and wasn't healing properly.  (he only went to the ER because his brother started yelling at him and called him stupid 3x in five minutes.)

Edited April 20, 2020 by gardenmom5

[kbutton]

RICE, but if it feel overly warm or like you might have done some tendon damage (google symptoms), then get a telemed appointment or see where you can be seen in person. 

[itsheresomewhere]

RICE and watch.  While you watch, google and see if there are any orthopedic clinics near you. These are part of an orthopedic office and you get to avoid the ER.  

[lmrich]

Orthopedic offices and even podiatry offices have X-rays. But I would wait - keep it elevated and iced. 

[ktgrok]

1. Do you have any walk in orthopedic clinics in your area? we do - it is a little known secret but an amazing resource. The place is staffed only with orthopedic specialists (mostly PAs, some MDs) and so they won't miss the smaller stuff that the generalist ER doctors sometimes do. 

2. If not (and do google first before assuming you don't), call and see if a regular orthopedic clinic or podiatrist can get you in. Most are probably not busy right now anyway, and I know the one here has on site xray. 

3. I advise these because they will not be treating a bunch of people with respiratory illness the way an ER or Urgent care is. I always go to an orthopedic doctor for this stuff, not the ER or Urgent care, because I don't want to pick up a stomach virus while waiting, AND because Urgent care is notoriously bad at catching less obvious fractures and totally incapable of catching torn tendons, etc. 

 

[stephanier.1765]

30 minutes ago, Ktgrok said:

1. Do you have any walk in orthopedic clinics in your area? we do - it is a little known secret but an amazing resource. The place is staffed only with orthopedic specialists (mostly PAs, some MDs) and so they won't miss the smaller stuff that the generalist ER doctors sometimes do. 

2. If not (and do google first before assuming you don't), call and see if a regular orthopedic clinic or podiatrist can get you in. Most are probably not busy right now anyway, and I know the one here has on site xray. 

3. I advise these because they will not be treating a bunch of people with respiratory illness the way an ER or Urgent care is. I always go to an orthopedic doctor for this stuff, not the ER or Urgent care, because I don't want to pick up a stomach virus while waiting, AND because Urgent care is notoriously bad at catching less obvious fractures and totally incapable of catching torn tendons, etc. 

 

I don't know but I'm going to find out. My insurance can be weird about this sort of thing so I'll give them a call too. Thank you!

[City Mouse]

I wouldn’t yet. If the toes start to swell up or turn purplish, or if the bottoms of your foot turns purplish, then I would go have it x-rayed. 
A big clue for me for breaks is the extended bruising past the area of initial impact.

[stephanier.1765]

1 minute ago, City Mouse said:

I wouldn’t yet. If the toes start to swell up or turn purplish, or if the bottoms of your foot turns purplish, then I would go have it x-rayed. 
A big clue for me for breaks is the extended bruising past the area of initial impact.

Uh oh, since I took that picture some of the bruising has moved up and around my big toe and has started moving towards my second one. But I'm still not at a pain level where I want to mess with the ER or urgent care yet.

[TCB]

Can you move all parts of your foot - bend wiggle toes etc? Usually with a fracture swelling and loss of function occur - ie so excruciating you can’t move that part etc. Bruises can be very painful. I don’t think you would lose anything from waiting a few days so long as circulation and nerves intact.

[Jean in Newcastle]

37 minutes ago, TCB said:

Can you move all parts of your foot - bend wiggle toes etc? Usually with a fracture swelling and loss of function occur - ie so excruciating you can’t move that part etc. Bruises can be very painful. I don’t think you would lose anything from waiting a few days so long as circulation and nerves intact.

I agree.  Your foot looks a lot like mine did when I dropped a 2 pound can of pumpkin puree on it at Christmas time.  I could walk on it and I could wiggle my toes (though it still hurt of course).  With the RICE method suggested above, I was fine. 

[gardenmom5]

57 minutes ago, City Mouse said:

I wouldn’t yet. If the toes start to swell up or turn purplish, or if the bottoms of your foot turns purplish, then I would go have it x-rayed. 
A big clue for me for breaks is the extended bruising past the area of initial impact.

depends upon the type and size of the break.  my dh and my dsil never had much bruising or swelling, just discomfort/difficult when moving - because it was just a tiny piece of bone.  dsil was looking at surgery to reattach it because the external treatment wasn't working/wasn't healing.  dh has circulation damage that has completely changed the skin texture on that foot 

[SoCal_Bear]

Do you have any arnica? That helps with the bruising.

[Harriet Vane]

I would definitely get it xrayed. Do you have an orthopedic urgent care? If not, try either an orthopedic clinic or a podiatrist. They almost always have xray capacity.