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My Husband Had A Fall Yesterday. He Landed On The
Question: my husband had a fall yesterday. He landed on the left side of his back. He was able to get up and drive home. He has a bruise by his left kidney and is experiencing extreme pain in his left back when he moves. He is stubborn and will not go to emergency. No blood in urine. He has pain meds from a previous issue. ( almost 2 years ago) The label said he could take 2 so I gave him 2 this morning. He was able to get up and had a small breakfast. What should I look for as far as insisting he go to emergency?
Brief Answer:
H/O trauma, bruise, severe pain, area of injury to rule out internal trauma
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for the query about your husband.
Noted the history well and understood the concerns.
There is a blunt injury in the left side of back with a bruise.
The reasons to go to Emergency are:
To have proper clinical evaluation and investigations to rule out internal injuries. Such injuries can show up even after a few day or later hence it is best either to rule these out or get confirmed. Such conditions are as follows:
Retroperitoneal hematoma and trauma, may involve the kidney or not.
Spleen is on the same side and more fragile.
Colon injuries.
Injury to the spine, canal, cord - either direct or indirect causing further complications.
Bruise outside should always be investigated by CT scan and/MRI to see for internal injuries.
Age: with advancing age even trivial trauma can cause more serious injuries.
Severe pain in itself is an indication to go to ER.
Obviously other things to be observed are:
As you have noted - blood in urine.
Changes in stool.
Pain
Increase in bruise and/or swelling.
Any referred pains.
I hope this answers this your and helps in decision making.
Please give feedback.
With Regards.
H/O trauma, bruise, severe pain, area of injury to rule out internal trauma
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for the query about your husband.
Noted the history well and understood the concerns.
There is a blunt injury in the left side of back with a bruise.
The reasons to go to Emergency are:
To have proper clinical evaluation and investigations to rule out internal injuries. Such injuries can show up even after a few day or later hence it is best either to rule these out or get confirmed. Such conditions are as follows:
Retroperitoneal hematoma and trauma, may involve the kidney or not.
Spleen is on the same side and more fragile.
Colon injuries.
Injury to the spine, canal, cord - either direct or indirect causing further complications.
Bruise outside should always be investigated by CT scan and/MRI to see for internal injuries.
Age: with advancing age even trivial trauma can cause more serious injuries.
Severe pain in itself is an indication to go to ER.
Obviously other things to be observed are:
As you have noted - blood in urine.
Changes in stool.
Pain
Increase in bruise and/or swelling.
Any referred pains.
I hope this answers this your and helps in decision making.
Please give feedback.
With Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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