On Saturday I fell down the stairs. Our stairs are quite narrow and I tripped and fell about 5-6 steps.. I saw I was headed all the way down to the main floor ( I live on the 3rd fl) so I turned myself and caught on to the railing. My left leg swelled up and my husband and mom took me into my parents place (2nd fl) and the put ice and vicks on my leg. I'm sure it's not broken because I don't have fever and the swelling went down. But It hurts like crazy. I have a big scrape on my leg now, and bruises in a few places.
This morning I fell again trying to catch the bus.. I didn't want to miss it so I ran and slipped and fell. (caught the bus though) and now my leg is hurting like hell
Should I go to the hospital and have it checked out? I'm sure it's not broken cuz it didn't swell up..
2007-01-22 02:37:33 · 23 answers · asked by BFP On September 20 :) 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
Strains are injuries that affect muscles or tendons, thick bands that attach muscles to bones. They occur in response to a quick tear, twist, or pull of the muscle. Strains are an acute type of injury that results from overstretching or over contraction. Pain, weakness, and muscle spasms are common symptoms experienced after a strain occurs.
Sprains are injuries that affect ligaments, thick bands of cartilage that attach bone to bone. They occur in response to a stretch or tear of a ligament. Sprains are an acute type of injury that results from trauma such as a fall or outside force that displaces the surrounding joint from its normal alignment. Sprains can range from a mild ligamentous stretch to a complete tear. Bruising, swelling, instability, and painful movement are common symptoms experienced after a sprain occurs.
RICE is the acronym used for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. It is used as the best initial treatment of soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and contusions. The combination of RICE helps reduce inflammation that occurs after acute injury. It is important to remember that the earlier this treatment is put into place, the more effective it is.
Rest: Rest and protect the injured area. If it hurts to bear weight on the injury, use crutches, or a cane.
Ice: Apply ice to the injury. The cold will reduce swelling and pain at the injured site. This step should be done as soon as possible. Apply the frozen object to the area for 20 minutes three times a day for the first 48 hours.
Compression: Compress the injured site. This will decreases swelling of the injured region. Although the wrap should be snug, make sure it is not too tight as this can cause numbness, tingling, or increased pain.
Elevation: Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart as much as possible. This technique will also assist in reducing the amount of swelling to the injured site.
Once the pain and swelling are eliminated, you should start gradual range of motion exercises but not to the point of pain. Each day your range of motion will increase slightly. Continue until you have complete range of motion. Than start gentle strengthening exercises to re-build the strength in the knee.
The stiffness will go away over time.
Good Luck
2007-01-22 05:54:25 · answer #1 · answered by twocoolinc 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
u should definetly go to the hospital. Not the emergency room, though. Just the doctors to get your leg checked out. U may not have broken it but it may have been sprained and that is why u fell down the stairs the second time. Also dont wear high heels right now. This may strain ur leg even more and cause some serious damage. Also talk to the head of the building cuz maybe they need to get the stairs redone to stop any other serious injuries that may occur.
Hope u feel better.
2007-01-22 02:42:04 · answer #2 · answered by gema=) 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't always have swelling with a break, strangely enough. I had a friend who had no pain or fever, but he continued to have pain, and the problem turned out to be a broken bone and something else fractured I think. The doctor said it was a very good thing that he came on in to the hospital.
I would suggest calling a local reputable Ask-A-Nurse if you have a Nurse hotline where you live, to ask their advice.
If there is no such hotline, then try calling your personal family doctor, and see if there is an emergency phone number on his/her answering machine. Call the emergency number, describe your symptoms, and see what the doctor says to do.
If you have no family doctor in the area yet... get your yellow pages and look for physicians in family practice. Call a few that you recognize until you find an answering machine with an emergency number on it, and call the doctor. See if the family doctor can either see you first thing in the morning, or does he/she feel you should just head on in to the emergency room?
That way... maybe you won't feel you are wasting a bunch of money on an emergency room visit. BUT... don't put this off. It is important to get medical attention soon, to be sure nothing is broken, torn, fractured, whatever. You can do more damage to yourself if something is awry and you wait.
All my best to you. I will be praying for you.
2007-01-22 02:48:59 · answer #3 · answered by prodaugh-internet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me, it sounds like you've badly sprained your leg. Possibly in a multitude of places around the leg area. I wouldn't necessarily go to the hospital for it, but I would make an appointment with your PCP Primary Care Physician. A hospital visit will lead to a long exhausting wait that may not amount to anything. Plus, if you go to your PCP, he'll be able to give you meds quicker, examine you more efficiantly and maybe even refer you to get an X-ray sooner than any Doctor at the hospital.
Something like this happend to me before (falling down the stairs) I had a sprain (I went to the hospital) and the description given in the above paragraph is what happend to me, only I didn't go to my PCP.
Good luck and hope you get/ feel better soon.
2007-01-22 03:16:30 · answer #4 · answered by lilfireyballofhate 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you need to get it checked out. You do not have a fever with a broken bone and don't always have swelling either although that is common. You may have a hairline fracture or a bad sprain but either way they can treat those.
2007-01-22 02:47:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, Just because it didn't swell doesn't mean it is not broken. It very well could be broken and the only way to tell is to have an x-ray. Go to the doctor ASAP.
2007-01-22 02:43:25 · answer #6 · answered by sunshinesue_1999 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are in severe pain, then by all means seek out emergency medical help. Broken bones don't always cause swelling. If you fell twice then YES please go today, just to make sure. You could have done some damage.
2007-01-22 02:43:32 · answer #7 · answered by Premo Mom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get it check, cause if you don't you might be dealing with major swelling of the legs later in life. also the swelling of the legs can lead to blood clots and they can travel throughout your body. My family goes through these problem because it is hereditary.
2007-01-22 02:42:24 · answer #8 · answered by ezekiel's mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your leg may not be broken but you might have cracked the bone. A hairline fracture hurts alot. I'd go to the Dr.s just to be on the safe side.
2007-01-22 02:41:40 · answer #9 · answered by CLM 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1)Read an interesting book. 2)Watch a movie. 3)Go out with friends. 4)Go out shopping. 5)Talk on the fone about anything BUT pain. 6)Play Board games. 7)Play video games(better) 8)Baby sit for some1's kids(they keep u busy) 9)Flirt with guys/girls. 10)Dress up in ur room for nothing and walk around like ur on the runway.
2016-03-29 08:53:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋