Probably a very stupid question......wouldn't someone know if they broke a bone?

[justmeagain]

Ok......I'm going to try to make this long story short as possible. For the past few years I have been having problems with my muscles and much more.....I have no health insurance--so I haven't been able to get any of the tests I need........but the doctor thinks I probably have fibromyalgia.
Well, I had just went through a really bad episode........that is what I call them (achy body but no temp, chills then sweat, shooting pains everywhere etc etc blah blah blah). Anyways......the last episode was pretty bad. My muscles still felt very weak........almost like my brain isn't connecting to my muscles or something dumb. So today I was carry this metal box which was not too heavy but decent amount of weight. I walked out onto my porch to take it outside and my muscles just decided they weren't going to work and so I fell down the steps and I couldn't even do anything to break my fall......it all happened so fast. We have 4 steps and I think I got every one of them......and head crashed into the wood railing and there I was lying on the ground and covered in dirt. I sat up, sorta stunned and got up took my sock off and the skin was peeled back on the part of the my foot that meets my leg. No biggie.......ya, it hurt but I wasn't bleeding majorly or anything and it sure could have been hugely worse considering the metal box I was carrying.
About a few hours later.......I tripped over my daughters toy.......normally should have been able to re-balance myself.........certainly not a big enough trip to warrant a fall, but again.......I'm just having a bad muscle day.....not enough strength or coordination ...........so I fell AGAIN.
Prior to this my leg has always been swollen........the amount of swelling fluctuates....... but it usually is bad.......I have pitting edema in my legs but mostly in my right leg. When DH got home and he saw my foot, he could NOT believe my foot was even a foot It is dented and so swollen---it is the worst we have ever seen it and I never knew a human foot could get that big. I have said that in the past but this surprised my worst swelling day by far LOL
Well, I never babied my foot or anything.......didn't think much about it besides knowing that I was going to be sore. As the night as gone on.........my foot is getting very painful. I CAN stand on it will my full weight, but I can't seem to walk now on it. My husband thinks I may have broke my foot.........BUT, I think since I can put my full weight on it..........Plus I never heard anything break.........I never felt anything pop........that it is NOT broke but probably bruised the muscle or whatever. I have never had a broken bone in my life. Wouldn't a person know right away if they broke something? Wouldn't you feel it break or hear it or something? I REALLY REALLY REALLY do not want to go to the doctors as I already am making payments to them.

[CW&M Mom]

You could of broken something and not hear it or realize immediatly....especially hairline fractures.

With it swollen that bad...I would go in. Do you have a regular physician you could call and order an xray for you??? Maybe cheaper than the ER...let him look at it...and if it looks broken then have you come in.??

[hcwhcw]

Not a very stupid or even semi-stupid question. It is possible to break a bone and not really know it. Especially with the foot. The foot has a lot of bones... 26-28 bones. So it's very possible you might have broken one of those small bones in there.

I completely understand you not wanting to go to the doctor if not necessary, due to financial issues. I don't know what to suggest. But if you can't walk, and if you want your foot to heal correctly, you may have to find some way financially to go asap. Are there any inexpensive or public medical clinics in your area? Why don't you research it on Monday while also giving your foot a rest and then see how it's feeling?

[justmeagain]

Hmm........I guess I didn't realize a doctors office may have an x-ray machine. I really don't have a family doc technically cuz I don't have insurance but I have seen this one doctor but the office is connected right to the hospital and usually anywhere I have been before they write up a slip and send you off to the hospital........but not entering through the ER but instead in the radiology dept.
Hmm.......I wonder if any urgent cares would have x-ray machine......I guess I do some researching tomorrow.
Do you think with a hairline fracture that someone put their full weight on the foot though? I have been so lucky. I have never ever had any broken bones.

[justmeagain]

Not a very stupid or even semi-stupid question. It is possible to break a bone and not really know it. Especially with the foot. The foot has a lot of bones... 26-28 bones. So it's very possible you might have broken one of those small bones in there.

I completely understand you not wanting to go to the doctor if not necessary, due to financial issues. I don't know what to suggest. But if you can't walk, and if you want your foot to heal correctly, you may have to find some way financially to go asap. Are there any inexpensive or public medical clinics in your area? Why don't you research it on Monday while also giving your foot a rest and then see how it's feeling?

Ha......I was writing as you posted this. Ya, this what I'm going to do.....Wait till tomorrow and see what happens.....and do some researching on finding the cheapest place possible.........no public clinics here......well technically there is SORT OF, but the chance of getting in without being one their established patients is slim to none.........and slim just left town .
It is SO crazy how much stuff changes the older you get. I know as a kid I fell down and.........so what.........I would just get up like it never happened......scrapes and all. Now-a-days........I can feel every spot that hit those stairs From my back, knees, head, leg........and of course my foot. It just seems ridiculous :shrug7:

[hcwhcw]

Awww... please post again on Monday with an update. Hope your foot is doing better by then AND you also find a good inexpensive medical option during that time! :-)

[justmeagain]

EEEK........UGH.......Note to self.........do NOT try to bend toes.........ROFL
It is so crazy. I can stand up and put my weight on it.......but the motion or walking OR holding my foot up and trying to bend my toes.........forget it.

Thanks everyone for the information and well wishes.........I will update tomorrow. Gnight

[hcwhcw]

I forgot to post, maybe soaking your foot in a cool bath for a while would help a bit?

Also, obviously, if it gets worse overnight or during the day tomorrow, you may just have to suck it up and go see a doctor regardless of the expense. (I wonder, btw, if I can post the word "suck" on HCW... well, let's see if it gets starred out or not!)

Edit: I guess "suck" is not one of the censored words on HCW. :-D LOL.
Anyway, g'night, justmeagain... hope tomorrow is better! :-)

[latte]

i dont know if this fits or not....but i figure ill throw it out there for you


i was 13, last day of summer before 7th grade started....playin at the neighbors house across the street, and i did a front handspring.....i landed wrong, my toes were curled up under my foot when i landed, all i heard was a *crunch*.....after getting the neighbor to help me hobble across the street ( i couldnt walk very well, and i wanted to cry every time my foot hit the ground), my step dad made me wait 3 WEEKS before he allowed my mom to take me to the doctor....and then it was only after 2 notes from the pe teacher because i was limping and not able to fully particicpate.....low and behold i had broken 2 bones in my foot.....my stepdad swore up and down tht i had just *sprained* my foot.........


not sure if it helps or not, but i definately would be taking yourself to see someone about your foot


*luvs and prayers*
latte

[maryannehoben]

I agree with Latte - the swelling tells you that something is most likely broken, even if it doesn't feel like you think a break should feel. There are hundreds of tiny bones in your feet and a hairline fracture swells just as much as a break. Definitely check it out - you need those feet!