Question: I had right full hip replacement in Feb 2013. My left hip will need replacement as well. I am a 55 year old female, 5'8, 140lbs. Last night I was locking up the house, and have a step down, 2 stairs. My left hip seemed to be unsteady as I went to step down and fell on my left side. I apparently was knocked out for about 3 minutes, and called for my son to pick me up. I fell on a stone floor and hit just next to the temple by the eyebrow. I put ice on it last night and still have a good size lump. No headache. Pain in my left arm from the shoulder to the forearm, able to move it with some pain, and a large bruise on my left thigh. Had a little nausea, pupils look fine. Is this something I need to have checked? I figured if I didn't have a headache once the initial shock wore off, and it's just tender to the touch that I didn't need to go to the ER. Should I be concerned. Thank you

Thank you Dr. Pottinger,

I didn't think I needed to go, but my kids and sister were concerned. Having had my hip replacement, I know that kind of pain? there is no pain medication for that and figured nothing was fractured, there was just more concern because of the lump on my head. I had called my doctors office and he thought I should maybe go to the ER, and I was hoping he would just fax over a referral for an X XXXXXXX Besides a $150 co payment, and the cost the hospital would charge my insurance, believe me, I have enough medical bills, that if something was wrong I would know it. Having all these auto immune disorders, something we never think about, being well and loving our jobs, to all of a sudden at 55 be unable to do anything is not what we anticipate as we age. I am currently on LTD, and am applying for SSD, something I didn't want to do. I was a very successful sales rep for the largest cable company in the US, top sales rep for 3 years in the country, and in the top 5 for 15 years, so all of a sudden getting your pay cut such as mine....I am not happy about it, but as an outside B2B business sales rep, I can no longer wear high heels or walk a city block, those days are over and it happened in a span of just a couple of years. But I am hoping with the right medications that the RA doctor, and my OA surgeon, I will eventually get into remission, my hip will heal, and maybe I will be able to return one day. Leaving a company after 18 years without wanting to due to health issues is a sad time for me and I am struggling not to be depressed, so the thought of here we go again, something else to add to the mix by falling wasn't something I even wanted to deal with, which is why I didn't run to the ER. It seems as much as I've had going on that I would know if there was something....wrong. I am by no means a medical expert, but I knew something was going on besides menopause, which is when I found I had Graves, Adrenal mass, your body tells you when there is something. I am not a person to want to ride the so called system and struggled for the past 4 years not to go out, but the body won out, so now? I am listening to the doctors and trying to better my health in order to be around a bit longer. We take for granted our good years, and never anticipate that we could actually get sick and old, it happens too quickly. I signed up for a membership, and appreciate your time and reply, the confirmation makes me feel better that I didn't rush to the ER. And rest? that's all I get, and I do rehabilitation at home, I am determined to get a life back which is why I refuse to get depression. You do not need to reply, I just wanted to thank you.

Regards,
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