Table of Contents
What happens if you fall flat on your back?
If you fall onto your back, the impact of this force is usually borne by your spine. The result can be a chipped vertebra, a slipped disc, nerve damage or even permanent damage to your spinal cord which can result in total or partial paralysis.
What damage can you do Falling on your back?
Severe back injuries include fractures (a break in a bone), wounds, extensive bruising and damage to your spinal cord and internal organs. Any of the following symptoms could indicate a severe back injury.
What to do when you fall down the stairs on your back?
If possible, slap the stairs or floor with a shoe or otherwise make as much noise as you can. You should also try to get to a safe, comfortable space to wait for help. This may mean moving off the stairs if you aren’t on a flat surface. If you feel that moving will cause further injury, then stay put and wait for help.
What injuries are most common after a fall?
Common Fall Injuries
- Soft Tissue Injuries. Soft tissue injuries aren’t always visible, because they can be internal.
- Head Injuries (TBI and concussions) Head injuries are often the result of a fall.
- Cuts and Abrasions.
- Spinal Cord Injuries.
- Broken Bones / fractures:
How long does it take for back muscles to heal after a fall?
Back muscle strains typically heal with time, many within a few days, and most within 3 to 4 weeks. Most patients with mild or moderate lumbar strains make a full recovery and are free of symptoms within days, weeks, or possibly months.
Can falling on your back cause nerve damage?
A fall or slip that twists the spine can cause a disc to rupture, causing the softer inner portion of the disk to herniate. This creates pressure on the surrounding nerves, which can result in moderate to intense pain, tingling and numbness, and muscle weakness.
When should I worry about back pain after a fall?
If you fall on your back and experience severe pain that makes breathing or standing difficult, you should have a thorough examination by a healthcare professional immediately. Most acute back injuries should get better within a few days.
What happens to your body after a fall?
Depending on how quickly your fall occurs, your body releases a surge of adrenaline when you first start to lose control and you begin to panic. Once the fall is underway, your body braces for impact by tensing your muscles and extending your arms or legs.
How long should you be sore after a fall?
Muscle soreness should not last longer than five days. Seek medical attention if the pain doesn’t subside after a week, the injured area feels numb, or you are unable to walk or move your arms or legs.
How long after a fall can injuries show up?
Based on case studies, researchers have found that: Internal bleeding and/or bruising, also known as the “seat belt syndrome,” has been noticed between 24 hours and 3 days after an accident. Brain and neck injuries have emerged up to eight days after an accident and, in some cases, proven fatal.
What should you check after a fall?
After the Fall
- Check the patient’s breathing, pulse, and blood pressure.
- Check for injury, such as cuts, scrapes, bruises, and broken bones.
- If you were not there when the patient fell, ask the patient or someone who saw the fall what happened.
How serious is a back injury from an accident?
The seriousness of an injury depends upon the actual event, impact and forces involved in the accident. Minor injuries also may occur from tripping, falling a short distance, or excessive twisting of the spine. Severe back injuries may result from car accidents or falls from significant heights.
Why is a long fall more dangerous than a short one?
The severity of injuries from a fall is closely related to the speed of impact. This explains why a long fall is more dangerous than a short one.
What happens if you have an injury to the spinal column?
All will result in pain and suffering, including possible paralysis. The spinal column encases the spinal cord, a main nerve conduit that runs from the brain to other areas of the body. An injury to any point along this pathway will result in symptoms or dysfunction in the area of body that region serves.
What is the most common type of fall injury in SLFs?
In SLFs, brain injury is also common. Brain and spine injury was seen in 25\% of same level fallers in one study, hence it was more common than fractures [ 26 ]. Thoracic injuries are more common in high falls, the commonest specific injuries being rib fractures, lung contusion, pneumothorax and hemothorax [ 10 ].