HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Injury Due To Fall, Hip Pain, Taken Painkiller, Bed Rest, Done CT Scan, History Of Constipation

default
Posted on Tue, 5 Jun 2012
Question: My mother fell on the floor & got an injury 3weeks back.she has no significant pain in vertebral region.she took pain killer for two days after injury & since after that she is no longer taking any medicine for that purpose.she is on complete bed rest till date.However she complains mild pain in her right hip.On one or two occasion she walked for few steps but didn’t experience any pain in her back.
Please find Digital XRay & CT Scan reports as below:
1.Digital XRay of DL Spine AP/LAT : (Date 07.09.11)
Collapse compression with grade II anterior wedging of L1 vertebra....? post traumatic.
Disc spaces are normal.Pedicles are normal.No paravertebral opacity seen.Osteoporosis is seen.

2.CT SCAN OF DORSOLUMBAR SPINE 3D MPR: (Date-16.9.11)
Reveals burst fracture of D12 vertebral body with mild reduction of heights (~ 25%). superior & inferior end plates are focally depressed. There is minimal retropulsion of posterior cortex. The mid sagittal residual AP diameter is 12mm. pedicels,lamina, spinous and facetal processes are normal.
There is sacralisation of L5.
There is mild anterior spondylolisthesis of L4 over L5. No Pars interarticularis defect There is gross facetal arthropathic changes seen.
Rest of the vertebral bodies are normal in height. small anterior osteo phytes are present at multiple levels.
Ther is large mass in the right suprarenal region measuring 78×63×86 mms in size with predomint fat content. No Calcification seen.
Impressions
Brust fracture D12 Vertebral body---unstable injury( two column involvement) with minimal retropulsion,
sacralisation of L5.
Anterior spondylolisthesis of L4 over L5 (degenerative).
Gross facetal arthropathy at L4-L5.
Right suprarenal mass- angiomyelolipoma.

Medical History
Age-62 yrs, Height- 5 ft, weight-78 kg,
Bowel habit- constipated,
Neurological condition- Intact, No bowel or bladder dysfunction.
Medication- consuming amlodipine – atenalol,( Last 5yrs) atorvastatin-10 ( intermittent), Alprazolam..25mg, ( Last 15 yrs) & Amtriptyline+ chlordiazepoxide ( 15 yrs).


doctor
Answered by Dr. Atul Wankhede (11 hours later)
Hello.

Thanks for posting the question.

I presume your mother is having considerable inconvenience because of the fall. It is evident from CT scan that she has a fracture of 12th thoracic vertebra, though I have doubt on the authencity of the Xray report since they mentioned fractured 1st lumbar vertebra and have no mention of L 5 sacralisation. Nevertheless an MRI of spine is of more significance since it describes the condition of the spinal cord. Cord compromise is of utmost importance in your mothers case. Besides, CT shows facetal arthropathy which again predisposes to nerve root impingement.

In my opinion, adequate bed rest has been taken. She may take pain killers as and when necessary. She needs to wear a 'Taylor's ' brace at earliest. That will help her keep good posture. Take her to a physiotherapist to teach her 'log rolling'. That will be necessary for avoiding further complications. Ask her to avoid forward bending and back twisting at all costs.

This should work fine for now. If she starts having weakness of her legs with tingling or numbness, get an MRI done without further delay.

I hope I've answered your query. If you need more assistance I'm available for follow up.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Jyoti Patil
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Atul Wankhede (10 hours later)
1.How long she needs to wear Taylor's brace?
2.Whether she can sit on chair & use commode for toilet?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Atul Wankhede (1 hour later)
Hello once again.
She needs to use the brace for a period of 6-8 weeks. She may continue using it further till she feels symptomatically stable, i.e painless and no neurological involvement.
She may use commode and carry on sitting on chair as long as she can tolerate.

For early recovery ask your physician for a calcium supplement and bisphosphonate's dose. Hope she recovers soon.
I shall be glad to assist you further if you need more help.

Good luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Atul Wankhede (20 hours later)
1.Whether she needs to wear Taylor's brace when she sleeps?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Atul Wankhede (1 hour later)
Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

She has to remove the brace while sleeping, using restroom and while doing exercises. Mind you she has to do extention exercises and not flexion or forward bending ones. Exercises can be commensed after a span of month and to be carried on life long.

Wish her an early recovery and a healthy life.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Atul Wankhede

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 170 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Injury Due To Fall, Hip Pain, Taken Painkiller, Bed Rest, Done CT Scan, History Of Constipation

Hello.

Thanks for posting the question.

I presume your mother is having considerable inconvenience because of the fall. It is evident from CT scan that she has a fracture of 12th thoracic vertebra, though I have doubt on the authencity of the Xray report since they mentioned fractured 1st lumbar vertebra and have no mention of L 5 sacralisation. Nevertheless an MRI of spine is of more significance since it describes the condition of the spinal cord. Cord compromise is of utmost importance in your mothers case. Besides, CT shows facetal arthropathy which again predisposes to nerve root impingement.

In my opinion, adequate bed rest has been taken. She may take pain killers as and when necessary. She needs to wear a 'Taylor's ' brace at earliest. That will help her keep good posture. Take her to a physiotherapist to teach her 'log rolling'. That will be necessary for avoiding further complications. Ask her to avoid forward bending and back twisting at all costs.

This should work fine for now. If she starts having weakness of her legs with tingling or numbness, get an MRI done without further delay.

I hope I've answered your query. If you need more assistance I'm available for follow up.

Regards.