Hi,I am Dr. Gopal Goel (Orthopaedic Surgeon). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
Swollen, Painful Lower Back. Histroy Of Fall From Horse. Suggest
i got thrown off a horse and the right side if my lower back hurts and is kinda swollen. It feel like a bruise when i touch it but there's no bruising on my skin. it hurts when i walk, run, and i can't even lay down on it. Plus i have a track meet today and i can't put all my weight on my right leg without it hurting my back. what do you think it is?
Horse fall offs are quite dangerous and can cause serious injuries. Even if the symptoms does not indicate it. Even if there is no bruise visible, muscles or even bones could be injured. That is why after such trauma is is advisable to have some diagnostics and rule out serious problems.
Back pain and leg pain can indicate broken ribs, spine fractures, hip fractures or leg fracture. Moreover if the rib is broken, there is always a risk of pneumothorax what can be life threatening. Abdominal traumas should be always ruled out.
I suggest you to visit your doctor and have chest X-ray, ribs X-ray, spine X-ray (CT would be better), abdominal ultrasound, hip X-ray and leg X-ray.
If your back is swollen and it hurts, then you need to get it x-rayed. As you are not able to hold weight on the right leg, this seems to be a pelvic fracture.
Its best to have this checked. I would advise not to bear weight until you get the X-ray done. And I would also advise you to skip the meet and take rest.
It is impossible to predict from the description / often after examination too...
You should see a doctor / and get yourself investigated...
MRI of the lower spine is a must in such cases.
Rest to the part (Splinting if necessary & avoiding weight bearing) is important
Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs like ibuprofen reduce pain & inflammation
Cold compress in first days / later warm compress - help
Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
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Swollen, Painful Lower Back. Histroy Of Fall From Horse. Suggest
Hello! Thank you for the query. Horse fall offs are quite dangerous and can cause serious injuries. Even if the symptoms does not indicate it. Even if there is no bruise visible, muscles or even bones could be injured. That is why after such trauma is is advisable to have some diagnostics and rule out serious problems. Back pain and leg pain can indicate broken ribs, spine fractures, hip fractures or leg fracture. Moreover if the rib is broken, there is always a risk of pneumothorax what can be life threatening. Abdominal traumas should be always ruled out. I suggest you to visit your doctor and have chest X-ray, ribs X-ray, spine X-ray (CT would be better), abdominal ultrasound, hip X-ray and leg X-ray. Hope this will help. Regards.