Are scans recommended for abdominal and back pain after falling off a horse?
Patient: Hello, just over a week ago I had a pretty bad fall from my horse where I was bucked into the air and landed on my back! I was knocked unconscious for a few seconds but had sever pain in my lower back and butt especially to the left. I went to A&E, they gave me morphine for the pain and took a urine sample as they were worried about bruising to the kidney, there was no blood in my urine and they told me it was more than likely muscle bruising and should ease in a week! I took a week off work as the pain of walking and sitting was just too bad! However since the accident it doesn t seem to feel any better at all, I have now started to get low pains in the front of my tummy as well as still sharp burning pains in my lower back. It is very painful to walk and sit! I am also noticing abdominal pain when I go to the toilet. There has been no visible bruising since the accident and the area with the most pain (left lower back, around kidney area) is slightly numb to touch. I am taking inflammatory tablets and pain killers which do help slightly but I am in pain again as soon as they wear off! What would you suggest? No scans were done while at the hospital. Thank you for you help Jodie Doctor: Hi.With a history of a fall from the horse SCANs are certainly indicated to prove or to rule out any internal injury. Consult a General Surgeon for a clinical examination to determine which scans you need to undergo to confirm or to rule out internal injury of any sort. The further treatment will depend upon the findings.