Pain after a Fall: Where to get after care?

Hi, @andytheman. It sounds like you have had a couple of significant falls and have experienced a lot of pain. Are you hurting from the fall today? If so, what recommendations did the hospital or your ALF make about managing your pain?

Nothing. The hospital blew me off saying “there’s nothing there” in other words I’m not in pain. And discharged me without looking into it thoroughly Xrays and cat scan showed nothing wrong. I didn’t believe their diagnosis and went to a neurologist and he said I had a fractured vertebrae. One on top of the other. Bone to bone. I can barely walk without a walker because I can’t lift my right foot up. That will eventually get repaired or it will get worse. The ALF nurse said that I’ve been to the hospital and you show nothing. But there was something wrong and I had to fight to prove it. This occurred a month ago and was getting worse including my lower back. You have to fight these lazy doctors.

You need to see a physical therapist and get evaluated to ascertain what was injured so a treatment plan can be devised. It’s great the hospital gave you a clean checkup now get your injured muscles healed.

I fell 4 months ago and hit my left hip hard on a flagstone step jutting out. We quickly went to the ER for a hip x-ray because I’d had a successful hip replacement the year before. According to them, the hip was fine, the replacement was fine and I just needed to continue to use my rollator until the bruising healed. I couldn’t walk without pain unless I had some support. Two weeks later I was in more pain than when I fell. I went to a primary care physician (mine was out of town so they found a sub). She sent me across the way for a pelvis x-ray. That showed two fractures with a possible third. The PCP sent that on to the orthopedist on call. He sent me for a CT scan that showed 3 fractures for sure and a possible 4th. I’m not sure why they didn’t notice those on the hip x-rays because they sure noticed my wonky back, commenting on my “seriously degenerating spine.” My pelvic fractures did heal and when the orthopedist dismissed me at 11 weeks, I asked for a physical therapy script which he gave me. I have a wonderful PT that I’ve had for 8 years. I couldn’t get in with him until this week, 12 weeks since my fall. The fall also impacted my back but no one made mention of that being any cause of my pain aside from two radiologists making mention of its deterioration. I have to use at a minimum, a cane, to go any distance. I use a wonderful Swedish all terrain outdoor rollator to walk my dog each day and I have a small indoor one that I end up using by the end of the day because my back has had it by then.

Anyway, after a thorough evaluation, my PT agreed that my pelvis is fine, my hip is fine, my back is a mess and we started a 12 week program for my back even though the order was for PT for pelvic fracture.

I guess I’m trying to say that you know your body best. And you have to keep fighting for the help you need. Just because I was told that my hip was fine and was dismissed, didn’t mean that there wasn’t something else wrong and it turned out to be a pretty big thing that was wrong; 3, maybe 4 pelvic fractures (and a dislodgment to my back, not mentioned.)

The medical profession has changed so much over the years we’ve been alive. They don’t have the time to take with us and insurance companies want a minimal diagnosis in order to treat you minimally so that the cost of your care doesn’t impact their bottom line and shareholder value. My PCP actually told me at my yearly check-up that she’d see me in a year and if I had any issues before then, to go to Urgent Care. Well, that fall was a pretty big issue so when I needed to figure out who I needed to see for a resolution, I ignored her advice and called her office. That wasn’t an Urgent Care issue. Fortunately, the receptionist agreed and found me a PCP to see that day. I’m 73 and aside from the aging process of my back and other joints apparently, I’m pretty healthy. Even so, I have to advocate for myself relentlessly these days. I hope that you can get the proper healthcare that you need to get your issues resolved. Is there a patient advocate in your area that can help you?

What kind of pain medication is used?

I hear you loud and clear. I fell hard on my lower back eight years ago. I went to urgent care where thy took x-rays. The finding was no fractures. I eventually had an MRI that showed a compression fracture of my L1. That resolved itself nicely, but I have been in and out of severe pain ever since. I can't find a doc who will take the time to really take a deep dive into my pain. I've had injections, nerve ablations, meds, pain pump. All to little avail. I am almost to the point of giving up, but I will soldier on, looking for whatever is still causing my pain. I hope you can find the help you need.

@andytheman you need to be evaluated by a PT. Depending on where you live you can see a PT for an evaluation without seeing a doctor first. Ask your PCP for a PT referral you’ll be better off.

I know I do but my pcp comes once a year.. he never answers his phone and his assistant doesn’t respond. Wow I used to have a pcp with a messaging portal but he retired. I left a message with my insurance company asking if a referral is needed and a list of local neurologists that accepts my insurance. They have that information

I had a hard fall one week ago.
Tripped over an extension cord and landed on hardwood floor.
Bruised head to foot on left side. Have a huge shiner, still. I hit my cheek which seems to have affected my teeth.
Nothing broken, so I didn’t go to ER. Also, I had an appointment that day with rheumatologist who had me do some eye movements, gait exercises, etc.
I do have a headache still, so now wonder if I should have had a CT scan.

depopulation agenda