Back Problems/Tail Bone Injury: 3 Weeks after slipping down my stairs

  • Thread starter Thread starter KeriL
  • Start date Start date
K

KeriL

Guest
Okay, so nearly 8 months ago I had a Sesamoidectomy and I have been basically living in sneakers "even in my house on hardwood flooring and upstairs carpeting." Well, about 3 weeks ago I wasn't wearing shoes while walking up and down my carpeted stairs, and I slipped on my top five stairs. I hit my tailbone and the side of my spine "very hard." I went to see my PCP a week later b/c my symptoms were not improving, and I was in excruciating pain. The pain that was "excruciating" was not in my tail bone, but in the lower right side of my vaginal area. I was having stabbing, sharp pain. It was as if I fell on a bicycle bar. I had a pelvis x-ray and was examined. My symptoms have improved in certain areas, but I am still in a lot of pain in my tailbone and mid-back while sitting and bending. Any advise or familiar symptoms:wave: will be Greatly Appreciated!!
Thank you!
 
Perhaps an x-ray of the affected areas would help. If you feel it is a spinal problem then you may also need an MRI and then a consultation with a neurosurgeon and/or orthopedic spine surgeon. They'd be able to see if there is any spinal problem and if so recommend some kind of treatment (don't worry, not only surgery but other non-operative treatments as well)
 
Hi, thank you for your advice and reply! I had a back x-ray and the pelvis x-ray, all showed up to be okay. I think that it's a serious injury w/excessive swelling & bruising. Since my initial symptoms have pretty much subsided, the rest will too w/more time. I'm just sick and tired of the waiting. I'm not a complainer, rarely ask for help (always the giver and not the receiver/requester), so it's been an adjustment w/these past two injuries. Thank you again. How are you holding up?
 
Something similiar happened to me. I had a spinal fusion 9 months ago, and a few months ago I fell down about 5 stairs like you. I was also holding my 30 lb child. (Luckily I fell in a way to protect her, but I injured myself). Mine are not carpeted though. I had never gotten better from my first surgery, but this fall caused me to experience even more severe pain in my lower back and legs. I did go to my PCP and they told me it was just bruised. This is what prompted me to go to another spinal clinic/ surgeon. I am now needing another surgery, but I don't necessarily think the fall caused it. I think the fall could have possibly made it worse though. I knew my L4-L5 disc was bad before the fall. After meeting with the new surgeon, I had some new testing done (almost a year after my other tests). The discogram caused 10/10 pain in my L4-L5 disc, and a CT scan showed that that disc still has a tear and is basically herniated. It also has DDD. This CT did reveal for the first time that L2-L3 and L3-L4 are beginning to tear. Not sure if it was the fall or just time. The CT also showed that my first fusion has not healed properly. I have halos around the screws, which is empty space from the screws grinding up against the bone when I move. Now I am having L5-S1 re done, and L4-L5 fused.
 
Lord, I am getting wonderful replies, but it's just freaking me out! Thank You both very much, but I am going to wait it out for now. I just NEED to my more patient and attentive to my own care, as I am always to others (I'm a Social Worker/Therapist-comes with the profession). The problem that I've been having is that was have not been able to be as active since my foot injury over a year ago, then, my surgery this past April. I injured my L5 2+ years ago, & went to a Chiropractor for 8+ months. That improved over time "for the most part." I broke my foot shortly after getting back into walking/jogging/running. I am just sooo physically and emotionally drained from "All" of it!! I was active and well prior to moving to a new state in the Spring of '07. Praying that this improves on it's own, that my new year ahead is better overall.
I don't have insurance at this time b/c it ran out in June, and we can't find steady employment w/coverage.

Thanks for the personal VENT!! I needed it.
 
Hopefully you just bruised it and it will heal soon. Try ice and heat.
I am okay, I take it one day at a time. I am currently waiting for the surgery scheduler to call me back with my next surgery date. I am getting scared because I have had this surgery before and it is incredibly painful. Hopefully this time it will go well.
 
Hi,

Thank you for your reply. I'm still in pain, but little by little I am improving "I think/hope!" I'm using an electrical heating pad that has lights "magnetic electrodes" that are supposed to help too. I'm also rubbing Arnica Gel on my back too. It's

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a safe, effective, surgery, & for a speedy recovery!
I hope that the new surgeon is attentive to your neeRAB/concerns with previous surgery/and with fear/s of pain after upcoming surgery.
Thank God by the way in regard to your last reply: "That your little one was not injured! I'm sorry that you were though!"

I'm around. "0)
 
Oh no. I had no insurance for months as well, while dealing with this. I had to stop my PT and everything when we lost it. I finally have insurance but unfortunately I have to work full time to get it. Luckily I work from home so I can take breaks on my own time, but it is still incredibly difficult. Have you tried applying for state aid? We had that for awhile, but it stopped as soon as I started working a little because I then made too much money. There are clinics that run on a sliding fee scale. You might try that, at least to get an x ray or something.
 
Back
Top