Urgent Assistance Needed
Hello everyone, I’m a 20-year-old female who underwent an L5-S1 ALIF procedure on February 27th. Last week, I had a mishap where I fell down the stairs, landing directly on my lower back. Initially, the pain was incredibly intense for several hours but subsided afterward. Earlier today, around noon, I had to rearrange all my furniture to the center of my room because my university was treating the apartments for fleas and ticks. I expected my grandfather to assist me with this task as the furniture is quite heavy; however, I discovered at 9 AM that he had no intention of helping. Consequently, I ended up moving the furniture myself, which understandably caused significant discomfort since I’m still restricted from lifting, pushing, or pulling items heavier than 15 lbs, and this was definitely more than that. After waiting for the pain to improve throughout the day, I started feeling an overwhelming pressure in my lower back, accompanied by discomfort radiating into my left buttock, hip, and down the back of my leg to my foot. I then reached out to the neurosurgeon on call, hoping it would be my doctor, but unfortunately, it was not. He seemed quite annoyed and stated he couldn't assist me. The only advice he offered was to visit the nearest emergency room, where they would arrange a transfer to the hospital of my neurosurgeon, the same place I had my surgery. I’m hesitant to take up the emergency department's time if they’re unable to help. While I’m aware they can perform an X-ray, I’m unsure if that would accurately identify any issues if present. Isn't an MRI more appropriate for this situation? I realize the emergency room may not facilitate that. Would it be ill-advised to wait until morning when my doctor’s office opens to send a message through MyChart outlining my circumstances and asking for guidance? I can’t shake the feeling that the on-call neurosurgeon didn't view my situation as urgent at all, despite the fact that I've been in tears from pain for the last three hours.
Answers (1)
4/23/2025, 3:40:36 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about your accident and the pain you're experiencing. Given your recent surgery, it's understandable to be concerned. Here’s a concise summary of the main points and some suggested actions:
- Safety and Pain Management: Radiating pain, especially after a fall and while moving heavy furniture, can indicate a serious issue. It's important to assess your symptoms carefully.
- Further Evaluation: An X-ray might not show soft tissue problems, but it can help rule out fractures. An MRI generally provides more detailed information about soft tissues and spinal structures.
- Next Steps for Pain Relief and Monitoring:
Explanation:
After surgery like an L5-S1 ALIF, changes in pain or the onset of new symptoms, especially after a fall and heavy lifting, can raise concerns about complications or injury. The pressure and radiating pain you feel could be due to muscle strain, nerve irritation, or other issues.
Prioritized Actions:
- Immediate Pain Relief: Use cold compresses on your lower back to reduce inflammation and take over-the-counter pain relief (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen) if you have no contraindications. Ensure you follow the recommended dosage.
- Rest and Repositioning: Avoid any further heavy lifting or strenuous activities. Try to rest in a comfortable position that doesn’t exacerbate your pain.
- Monitoring Symptoms: Pay close attention to any worsening of pain, changes in sensation in your legs, or difficulty with mobility. If these occur, it heightens the need for immediate evaluation.
- Seeking Further Evaluation: While you might feel hesitant to go to the emergency room, if your pain persists or worsens significantly, reducing that risk is essential. It’s better to have a professional evaluate you, especially if you're in distress.
- Contact Your Doctor: If your symptoms are stable and you're managing the pain, and you can wait, reaching out via MyChart when your doctor’s office opens to explain your situation can also be valuable. This gives your surgeon a chance to advise you directly.
Conclusion:
You're right to prioritize your health and wellbeing. Don't hesitate to seek evaluation if concerns grow or if pain is unmanageable. It's better to err on the side of caution, especially after spinal surgery. Please take care, and let me know if you have further questions or need more specific advice.
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