Neurological Injuries After a Fall: A Mother's Concern

Q: Neurological Injuries After a Fall: A Mother's Concern

Hello： First, check for any nerve injury. <br>It's important to see a neurologist to determine the cause before formulating a treatment plan. <br>If it's just a tendon contusion, it will recover!

Injured after being pushed from behind and falling into a drainage ditch?

Hello Dr.
Yeh, I apologize for disturbing your rest time and hope you can understand.
I have some questions to ask you.
My daughter was pushed from behind by a classmate at school on May 14 and fell into a drainage ditch, resulting in an injury.
I took her to the hospital, where the Western medicine diagnosis was a lumbar contusion.
An X-ray was performed, and there were no significant issues with her back or waist.
She has been undergoing rehabilitation and taking medication.
I also took her to see a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, who diagnosed her with contusions in both hips and thighs, as well as bruising and pain in her waist, hips, back, and legs.
However, since the incident, my daughter's condition has not improved, and she is unable to attend school.
She keeps saying that her hands and feet feel numb, painful, and sore, and her lower back also hurts.
As a mother, it pains me to see my daughter suffering like this, and I feel helpless, only able to cry in secret and worry about her health.
My family believes that her fall may have affected her nerves.
On the advice of a friend, I learned about you, Dr.
Yeh, and I gathered the courage to write this letter to you.
I kindly ask for your help and guidance on what I can do to restore my daughter's health.
Thank you in advance for your assistance, Dr.
Yeh.
Given my daughter's situation, will there be any potential long-term complications from her injuries in the future? Wishing you good health and all the best.
A heartbroken single mother.

jimmy mei, 40~49 year old female. Ask Date: 2008/05/29

Dr. Ye Boshou reply Neurology

Hello: First, check for any nerve injury.
It's important to see a neurologist to determine the cause before formulating a treatment plan.
If it's just a tendon contusion, it will recover!

Reply Date: 2008/05/29

More Info

Dear Concerned Mother,
First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the deep concern and love you have for your daughter. It is completely understandable to feel helpless when witnessing your child in pain, especially after a traumatic incident like the one she experienced. Your daughter's symptoms, including pain, numbness, and weakness in her limbs, are indeed concerning and warrant further evaluation.

From your description, it seems that your daughter has sustained injuries from the fall, which were initially diagnosed as contusions to her lower back and hips. While X-rays have ruled out any fractures, the persistence of her symptoms—particularly the numbness and pain—suggests that there may be more going on than just soft tissue injuries. It is possible that she could have sustained nerve damage or irritation, which can occur in falls, especially if there was significant impact or if her body was twisted during the fall.

Given that her condition has not improved and she is unable to attend school, I strongly recommend that you seek a comprehensive evaluation from a specialist, such as a neurologist or an orthopedic surgeon. They can perform a thorough examination and may recommend additional imaging studies, such as an MRI, which can provide more detailed information about the soft tissues, nerves, and spinal structures. This is crucial because while X-rays are excellent for detecting fractures, they do not show soft tissue injuries or nerve damage.

In terms of treatment, it is essential to address both the physical and emotional aspects of her recovery. Physical therapy can be beneficial in helping her regain strength and mobility, but it is also important to ensure that she is not experiencing any underlying nerve issues that could be exacerbated by certain movements or exercises. If nerve damage is confirmed, treatment options may include medications to manage pain and inflammation, as well as specific therapies aimed at nerve recovery.

As for your concern about potential long-term effects, it is difficult to predict the outcome without a thorough evaluation. Many individuals recover fully from similar injuries, especially with appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. However, some may experience lingering symptoms, particularly if there was significant nerve involvement. Early intervention is key to improving the chances of a full recovery.

In the meantime, continue to provide emotional support for your daughter. Encourage her to express her feelings about the pain and the impact it has on her daily life. It might also be helpful to involve a counselor or therapist who can assist her in coping with the emotional aspects of her injury, especially if she is feeling anxious or depressed about her situation.

Lastly, I want to emphasize the importance of advocating for your daughter's health. If you feel that her current treatment is not effective, do not hesitate to seek a second opinion. Your daughter's well-being is paramount, and you deserve to have all your questions answered and concerns addressed.

I hope this information helps guide you in the right direction. Please take care of yourself as well during this challenging time, and know that you are doing your best for your daughter.

Wishing you both strength and healing,
Doctor Q&A Teams

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