Ask a doctor on the topic of General medicine

Falling down the stairs

October 22, 2015 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ive Dr. Schaaf

Dear Sir or Madam,

I just fell/slipped down about 5 meters of concrete stairs forward, it happened very quickly but I think I first hit my shin and then slid down to the bottom. I missed the first step and then fate took its course. It happened so fast (they were concrete steps so ouch). I immediately got up and climbed back up the stairs.

I took a short break and then walked the last few meters to the house. Took off my pants and showered, applied Octenisept to the wound and started to cool it. My left ankle hurts, I can fully bear weight on it, move it, rotate it and move it up and down. I hit my shin on the right side, there is a blood-red bruise but there is no external bleeding. The leg is also fully weight-bearing.

Would one notice a broken bone on both sides? Can a thrombosis be triggered by the severe bruising?

In my opinion, I did not hit anything else, the wrists are okay, the hands are not abraded. Nothing hurts on my head or other parts of my body. I have no bruises anywhere else and no pain.

Would one notice internal bleeding and how long should one watch for which symptoms? Can one hit their head dangerously without pain afterwards and no headaches? I'm sorry, I'm a bit in shock and unfortunately have a bit of health anxiety.

I'm sorry I'm totally in shock and panicking about overlooking something. Should I go to the hospital?

Yours sincerely.

Dr. med. Ive Dr. Schaaf

Good evening,

You cannot overlook a bone fracture. If you can put weight on the leg - and you did run back up the stairs - then you do not have a bone fracture. That is for sure.

Internal bleeding is less likely to occur from a fall down the stairs, because there is no foreign object penetrating the abdomen. Internal bleeding can occur, for example, when receiving a blow or kick to the abdomen, or when tripping and falling onto a fence.

So, I can reassure you. You do not need to go to the hospital and you have done everything right.

Any further questions?

Dr. Schaaf