A & E or not??

[sturdygirl]

I would like your thoughts if I may....
As some of you may know, Hubs and Youngest suffer from Joint Hypermobility Syndrome.
Youngest has had physio for hips, knees and ankles and is awaiting an ortho app. for insoles to help with her flat feet.
Her shoulder has been 'popping' out almost every day for the last few weeks, ( before this it was maybe once a month if that) it's not a full dislocation and she can usually pop it back in quickly with a little help.
I have made an appointment to see her GP next week, but here's my dilemma...

Do I hang on and see the GP and wait for x-rays, physio etc OR take her to A&E next time it happens?
If I wait, there's the risk that if it keeps happening it will damage the soft tissue further and could possibly fully dislocate, if I take her to A&E she will have to leave it in the 'out' position until they can see her which will cause her quite a bit of pain, but they will probably x-ray and refer her to the fracture clinic within days.
I hate to see DD like this, but have to be practical about it
I would value your opinions
xx

[Parsifal]

I think A&E as it is happening so often, there is always the risk of permanent damage or injury requiring surgical intervention to the joint and surrounding structures, tendons, ligaments, etc. I have dislocating kneecaps and now have a permanently damaged left knee which probably needs replacement so I may well be more than a little biased .

[Debra Found]

I'd do both personally. Start the GP route but if (& when) it happens again then take the A & E route

[Simon Turner]

Situation like this as much as it will cause longer distress for your DD I would say A&E, as you say the long term results will be much faster.
My left shoulder pops every now and then from an old sports injury so I know how painfull it can be but I would try and get to A&E with it.

Hope it works out for you

[michael parker]

A and E Definitely.It should be quicker and they may spot something that might be otherwise missed.

[Myrtle]

If it happens again before your gp appointment, I'd say A&E too. It might be a painful wait there, which is distressing, but you might get a better result and quicker in the long run.

[poppett]

I am with the A & E brigade on this one. Instant (well after you wait in a Q) access to scans, xrays etc., and specialist medics too.

Take care
Meg

[bowlingbun]

A&E, even an ambulance. Then she will get to hospital as quickly as possible, minimising pain. If you don't do this, how would you feel in 20 years time if she had lifelong problems, because you didn't take this action? If you've done your very best, i.e. A&E, and things don't turn out as you would like, wll, you did your best. I live my life using this principle. Think carefully, make the best considered decision you can, and then don't blame yourself for any consequences. If you do your best, that's enough. This became my policy when I was trying to find the best education for my brain damaged son with LD. I know that I really annoyed a lot of people as I refused to accept what appeared to me to be second best, appealing all the way to the Secretary of State for Education. As a result, my son went to the best school locally and he progressed wonderfully. Now he's a lovely young man - had I not persevered he wouldn't have turned out so well. As a parent, you need to stick up for your children, no one else will.

[Parsifal]

Whilst going to A&E is perfectly reasonable and valid, I do not think an ambulance is a good idea, this is not an emergency. I would never abuse the system, primarily because it may deny someone else an emergency ambulance for a genuine emergency or result in an excessive wait for a patient whose GP has requested an urgent ambulance, but also because if you have previously abused the system if you do later need an ambulance for an emergency it may not be treated an such.

[bowlingbun]

I wrote what I did from my own point of view. If I dislocated my own shoulder, then I'd call 999 without any hesitation. A&E is a very long way away from my home, as I live in a rural area. I would not feel able to care for my child in pain and drive at the same time, the journey could easily take an hour. Perhaps if you live with conditions like this, or you live closer to a hospital, your attitude would be different?

[Parsifal]

The circumstances are somewhat different, in the case in question it is not an emergency, other scenarios were not under discussion. Given different circumstances one might act differently although the ambulance triage system would probably suggest alternatives to an ambulance before agreeing to send an ambulance and one might have a very long wait whilst emergencies and more urgent cases were prioritised. Personally I would always call a taxi unless I was incapable of using one and an ambulance was the only feasible means of attending A&E but that is my choice and others might make different choices which they are fully entitled to do.

[charles47]

Overall, I think the important thing is A&E is a definite option here. Although it may be an idea to make sure you have some triangular bandages available to reduce the discomfort.

Mind you, when I broke a bone in my arm and set myself up with a triangular bandage sling before going to A&E they asked who'd done it, commended the job and decided I didn't need anything else!

[sturdygirl]

Thanks everyone
I am awaiting a call back from our GP at the moment, I have helped pop it back twice this morning so thought rather than wait I would ask his advice.
When DD dislocated her knee last year, school immediately phoned for an ambulance, but that was a full dislocation, her shoulder is partial and does not warrant an ambulance in my opinion, BUT, if it dislocated fully, I would consider it if I couldn't arrange other transport.( I know school wouldn't hesitate if it happened there)
I have asked our son in law to be on stand-by for a lift to A&E, we are only 10-15 mins away- but DD is very reluctant.
I will see what the GP says, then maybe a trip out to the hospital at the weekend will be in order, I'll get snacks and drinks organised, it's usually a long wait!
Thanks again all
xx

[sturdygirl]

Hi,
GP is of the same opinion as most of my virtual friends, - A&E straight away if it becomes very painful or won't go back in, he wants her to keep the appointment to see him next week, and in the mean time he will get a referral done for physio.
It has popped 6 times today so far, rather than going to the office at school and risking being sent home again, DD got one of her friends to help her, all well and good, but I have told her in the future she should go to the staff.
Thanks again all
xx