At what point would you call the doctor?

CleoKitty

Ds fell off of some playground equipment today at the park, fell about 3-4 ft. down and landed right on his tailbone. It was a hard fall, but at least there was a thick layer of woodchips to cushion it a bit. 

He doesn't have any bruising but is obviously very sore. He can walk, but prefers not to and when he does he holds his lower back. Stairs/steps seem especially difficult for him- he can navigate them, but lifting his leg for each step is painful.

At what point would you call the doctor versus just figuring he's going to be sore for a few days? 

Jodi&Joe

While they can't do anything for a bruised tailbone, *I* would want him seen.  Joe would make me wait.  LOL

So I would give it 24-28 hours.  If no change, then bring him in.

DandRAgain

I hate going to the doc just to be told "nothing we can do" so I'd probably wait until tomorrow.  You know how things hurt bad that first day, but after a day it starts feeling at least a little better?? If its starting to feel better, then skip it...if not, or if it gets worse...to the doctor.

But today I'd be loading with ibuprofen and giving ice packs to sit on.

NativeNyer

But today I'd be loading with ibuprofen and giving ice packs to sit on.

This.

DandRAgain

wait....nest response is this:

"OH MY GOD!  How could you let that happen! If you had been watching him, it wouldn't have happened, you know!  He needs to get to the ER now and I am going to call CPS..gah, I'm sure you were sitting on the park bench painting your nails or facebooking on your phone"......eyeroll, walk away, glare

CleoKitty

DandRAgain:

I hate going to the doc just to be told "nothing we can do" so I'd probably wait until tomorrow.  You know how things hurt bad that first day, but after a day it starts feeling at least a little better?? If its starting to feel better, then skip it...if not, or if it gets worse...to the doctor.

But today I'd be loading with ibuprofen and giving ice packs to sit on.

Me too, especially since we have a high-deductible insurance policy so I'd end up paying for the visit out of pocket. I was once flamed here (long time ago) for saying that I hesitated to take the dc to the doctor unless I was really sure they needed to be seen because of the financial concerns.

Hooray2005

LOL, DandR

Since he can walk (even though it's painful), I'd likely go the advil and ice pack route and see how he's doing later today/tomorrow morning.  Reality is, injuries in small children don't always show up right away on x-ray/imaging anyway, so tomorrow is likely a better day for him to be seen anyway

I'd play it by ear... but if he's starts to really refuse to walk or his pain increases significantly, I might give the pedi a call, mainly to reassure myself.  Hope he's on the mend soon.

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