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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Sharp Lower Back Pain After Falling Down A Flight Of Stairs?

I fell down a flight of stairs when I was drinking Friday night. Immediately after I felt a burning sharp pain in my middle to lower left back. Yesterday a friend looked at my back and said the left side is significantly more inflamed than the right side. The pain hasn t gotten better after 3 days and I woke up last night and couldn t go back to sleep. I can t even roll over in bed or sit down without pain. When I try to stand up I feel the same burning sharp pain. I can t bend over to pick things up and if I try to take too large of a step my back hurts. I m going to the orthopedic surgeon later this week because ibuprofen and Ice don t seem to be working and I couldn t get an appointment any sooner.. What do you think my injury is?
Thu, 10 Mar 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Thank you for your query.

It seems that you have injured your spine during the fall.
Possible injuries are slipped disc, compression fracture of the vertebrae with nerve injury.

I recommend you visit an ER to rule out severe or unstable injury. Do not strain your back or lift anything or bend( if you do have to absolutely get some thing off the floor, squat and take it or ask someone to help you. do not travel alone and climb the stairs.
have someone with you till you find out what it is.
Unstable spinal injuries can go from bad to worse and worsen the injury drastically .
you will need and X-ray and probably and MRI of the spine.

if the injury is stable, you will be prescribed rest, restriction of movement or activities and anti inflammatory/pain medications. and you can see the ortho surgeon as advised by the ER physician.
hope this helps and you feel better .
please get back to us if younger any clarification.
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What Causes Sharp Lower Back Pain After Falling Down A Flight Of Stairs?

Thank you for your query. It seems that you have injured your spine during the fall. Possible injuries are slipped disc, compression fracture of the vertebrae with nerve injury. I recommend you visit an ER to rule out severe or unstable injury. Do not strain your back or lift anything or bend( if you do have to absolutely get some thing off the floor, squat and take it or ask someone to help you. do not travel alone and climb the stairs. have someone with you till you find out what it is. Unstable spinal injuries can go from bad to worse and worsen the injury drastically . you will need and X-ray and probably and MRI of the spine. if the injury is stable, you will be prescribed rest, restriction of movement or activities and anti inflammatory/pain medications. and you can see the ortho surgeon as advised by the ER physician. hope this helps and you feel better . please get back to us if younger any clarification.