Table of Contents
What is a lower back contusion?
Contusion is the medical term for a bruise. When you have a low back bruise, it’s often caused by a direct blow or an impact, such as falling against a counter or table. Bruises are common sports injuries.
What happens if you fall on your lower 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. You should see a doctor right away if you have: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
What is contusion of thoracic spine?
A spinal contusion involves the bruising of the spinal cord–a sensitive bundle of nerves that, as noted, controls many vital functions within the human body. Ranking among the most common varieties of spinal cord injury, this can occur when external pressure is applied to the spinal cord.
How do you know if a contusion is serious?
See your doctor or visit State Urgent Care right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Abnormal bleeding in the gums, frequent nose bleeds or blood in the urine or stool.
- Frequent very large, very painful bruises.
- Numbness or weakness anywhere in the injured limb.
- Swelling around the bruised skin.
How do you treat a lower back contusion?
How can you care for yourself at home?
- Put ice or a cold pack on the sore area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to stop swelling. Put a thin cloth between the ice pack and your skin.
- Be safe with medicines.
- For the first day or two of pain, take it easy.
- Get gentle exercise, such as walking.
What to do if you hurt your lower back?
Apply heat or ice to the painful area. Use ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, then use heat. Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Sleep in a curled-up, fetal position with a pillow between your legs.
How do I know if my lower back injury is serious?
What back pain signs and symptoms indicate something more serious is going on?
- Sudden spike in pain, discomfort, weakness or numbness.
- Loss of bladder function.
- High fever.
- Severe stomach pain.
- Unexplainable weight loss.
- The pain results from a fall or severe blow to your back.
Can a contusion cause nerve damage?
If you develop internal bleeding from an injury, the pressure can cause your tissue to swell. This is a painful and dangerous condition that can decrease blood flow to your muscle and nerve cells, leading to death of the tissues and even potential loss of limb.
What are 5 symptoms of a contusion?
Contusions on your bones
- stiffness or swelling.
- tenderness.
- trouble bending or using the affected area.
- pain that lasts longer than the symptoms of a typical bruise would.
How long does it take a deep contusion to heal?
Returning to Activity & Sports Moderate-to-severe contusions take an average of 4-6 weeks to heal. Minor contusions take considerably less time. If your child puts too much stress on the injured area before it is healed, excessive scar tissue may develop.
When should I be worried about lower back pain?
You’ve Been in Pain for Over a Week Most back pain will subside after a few days, but if you’ve been experiencing pain for over a week, then it’s time to call a doctor. Your doctor will perform any examinations or tests required to help get to the bottom of your pain before it could become a bigger problem.
How long does it take for a lower back injury to heal?
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.
How long does it take to recover from a lower back injury?
Can contusions cause permanent damage?
Severe contusions should always be treated as soon as possible to prevent or limit permanent harm. Even with treatment, there may be permanent damage—although prompt care can limit the severity of these effects.
How long do contusions take to heal?
Moderate-to-severe contusions take an average of 4-6 weeks to heal. Minor contusions take considerably less time. If your child puts too much stress on the injured area before it is healed, excessive scar tissue may develop.
How do you know when lower back pain is serious?
8 Signs That it’s Time to Call a Doctor for Your Back Pain
- You’ve Been in Pain for Over a Week.
- Your Pain Extends to Other Body Parts.
- You Have Numbness, Tingling or Weakness.
- You Have Pain After an Accident.
- Your Pain is Worse at Certain Times or in Certain Positions.
- You’re Having Problems with Your Bowels or Urination.
When should I worry about thoracic back pain?
Pain that doesn’t get better after 2-4 weeks of treatment. Pain that is accompanied by severe stiffness in the morning. Changes to the shape of the spine, including the appearance of lumps or bumps. Pins and needles, numbness or weakness of the legs that is severe or gets worse over time.
How long does it take for thoracic back pain to heal?
People who sit for long periods (more than seven hours per day) or those who are less active (less than 150 minutes per week) tend to have more stiffness and pain in the thoracic spine. Trauma to the thoracic spine can cause pain which can commonly take some weeks or months to resolve.
What is a thoracic spine contusion?
Thoracic Spine Contusion. A contusion (more commonly known as a bruise) in the Thoracic Spine usually occurs when a force or trauma causes the blood vessels in the Thoracic Spine area to rupture without the skin breaking. This causes discoloration in the injured area that is caused by blood leaking onto the surrounding tissues. Like other muscle…
What are the most common injuries due to thoracic trauma?
Still, the most common injuries due to thoracic trauma are pneumothorax and hemothorax, which are definitively managed in 80% of cases with tube thoracostomy. The size of the chest tube used is a clinical decision based on the pathology seen on a chest x-ray.
What is a thoracic spinal cord injury?
Thoracic Spinal Cord Injuries. Thoracic spinal cord injuries may affect one or both sides of the body, and although the long-term prognosis is good, early treatment is still critical. The thoracic spine consists of 12 vertebrae levels. The are located at the middle of the spine, between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae.
What are the treatments for thoracic spinal injuries?
Current treatments for spinal cord patients with thoracic injuries are: Drugs: Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce inflammation in the affected area of the spinal cord. Reducing inflammation in and around the spinal cord will encourage healthy sensory and motor function.