An elderly person experiences lower back pain after a fall; the doctor recommends bed rest and imaging tests.
Disease description:
After the elderly person in my family accidentally fell and got injured, they kept complaining of lower back pain. The doctor advised bed rest and taking imaging scans—was this examination necessary?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
After an elderly person falls and experiences low back pain, it could be due to soft tissue injuries in the waist area, such as muscle strains or ligament sprains. However, it could also indicate fractures, including vertebral fractures or transverse process fractures. Fractures are relatively common among the elderly because their bones tend to be more brittle and prone to fracture when subjected to external forces. Imaging tests are important for accurately determining the type and severity of the injury. If a fracture is present and not promptly identified, it may lead to worsening of the fracture displacement, nerve damage, and other serious consequences.
It is essential to strictly follow the doctor's instructions to ensure the elderly person remains on bed rest, avoiding excessive movement of the waist area to prevent further injury.
