Back injury

Posted , 2 users are following.

A few days ago, pretty much two, I slipped down the stairs as I was walking down and landed on my back. It was more towards the right side and near my ribs, and it knocked the air out of me. I actually cried due to how much it hurt, which is something I don't normally do. However, before the fall, I might have strained my back because it was already hurting before that. So basically it was two injuries.

I haven't gotten any bruises, although it is still painful to put any pressure on my right side. Sometimes it just hurts, but not as bad as it did when I injured it.

Why haven't I gotten a bruise despite the impact? Can the muscles be damaged while the skin is fine? Also, should I have seen some one after my injury, and if I still feel pain, would it be too late for me to see someone?

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Yes you should see someone and no, it's not too late. I'm trying to imagine how you described it and if I'm right then it sounds like you may have sprained a rib out. Also, yes you can have bone or muscle damage without it reflecting on your skin but usually trauma is severe enough that we are used to seeing bruises and discoloration when we are hurt. In any case, if you do have a rib out, it can be adjusted and the longer it's left like that, the longer the healing process is. If it turns out that it's not your ribs then they will still catch if it's something more internal and potentially serious so it's important to go regardless.

    If it wasn't serious you would have felt less pain 24 hours after the incident even if you were overall sore, it would be less.

    • Posted

      I'll have to wait until Monday to see someone unfortunately. It hurts to walk or put pressure on that side, and my knee has been acting up. I also probably injured my shoulder because I was holding the rail on my way down.
    • Posted

      Just keep in mind that if it is your rib, the longer you wait the longer it will take to heal. Also, when it happened to me, the 5th day or so it became difficult to breathe if I laid on that side so your symptoms may continue to worsen until you do go to a dr or an urgent care.
    • Posted

      I'm with my family and I don't know if they'll take me, even after I told them about it, and I want to give them a break, so I'm waiting until Monday when I go back to school to see a nurse.

      Idk if it's even serious or not, and I was told to take pain meds for it.

    • Posted

      You do whatever you need/want to. I am simply sharing the advice you originally requested and from my own experiences as well. Make sure the do an xray and good luck. If you take pain meds stick with anti inflammatory only such as advil.

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