Hi, I slipped on wet seaweed and fell down concrete steps yesterday. I fell on my back and side. My back is very tender (I have back problems) but my left side is very bruised and my ribs just below my breast are agony when I breathe deeply or sneeze etc. I can t lie down as it s too painful so am sleeping upright on the sofa but the thing that I don t understand is that my feet and ankles are swollen - why would this be?
Hi, Welcome to Chat Doctor. After going through your query I think You are suffering from acute backache after injury. Treatment of it is rest and analgesics. Diclofenac three times a day after meals is effective. Sometimes strong analgesic(such as attract three times a day after meals) is required. OMEPRAZOLE before meals prevent acidity caused by analgesics. You can discuss with your treating Doctor. There are two possibility, one is simple muscle injury, second is possibility of rib fracture. To further investigate chest x-ray and MRI of the region is advised. Your feet and ankle are also swollen. It may be due to prolonged upright position has made feet and ankle dependent leading to edema. However, you should check your circulatory system checked if swelling is consistent even on lying down. I think your query answered. Welcome to any follow-up query.