Summary: If you experience back pain after a workplace slip and fall, it’s important to seek evaluation right away – even if symptoms seem minor. Injuries like herniated discs, spinal fractures, and soft tissue strains can worsen over time without treatment. Physical exams, imaging, and personalized care plans – including physical therapy, pain management, or bracing – can support recovery, prevent long-term damage, and help you return safely to work and daily activities.
It takes just a split second – a slick floor, an uneven surface, or a misstep on a staircase – for a workplace slip and fall to turn into a serious back injury such as a disc extrusion. While some falls cause immediate pain, others may seem minor at first, only to reveal more significant issues days or weeks later. That’s why it’s essential to understand the symptoms to look for after a fall, the potential injuries involved, and how to get the right treatment.
Common Back Injuries Caused by Slips and Falls
Back injuries from falls can range from mild sprains to severe fractures. Here are some of the most common conditions:
Herniated Discs and Disc Extrusion
When you slip and land with force, the discs that cushion your vertebrae can become damaged. A herniated disc (also called a slipped or ruptured disc) happens when the disc’s soft inner material pushes out through a tear in the rubbery outer layer. A severe form of herniation, known as disc extrusion, occurs when the inner material extends even further into the spinal canal, sometimes pressing directly on nearby nerves. This can cause sharp pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that radiates down the legs.
Spinal Fractures and Burst Fractures
Falls can lead to spinal fractures, which vary in severity. One of the most dangerous is a burst fracture of the vertebra, where the vertebra bone literally shatters into multiple pieces. Because fragments can press on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves, this injury requires urgent evaluation. Other spinal fractures may cause localized pain, difficulty moving, or even deformity of the spine if left untreated.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains and Strains
Muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the back can be overstretched or torn during a fall. These are often referred to as “sprains” or “strains,” depending on which tissues are affected. Knowing if you have a sprain vs. a fracture is critical: while both cause pain and limit mobility, fractures involve broken bones and typically require more intensive treatment.
Contusion and Spinal Cord Injuries
If you directly impact your back during a fall, you may create a bruise or contusion on the spinal cord itself. A contusion spinal cord injury can lead to pain, bleeding, swelling, and temporary loss of function below the site of the injury. In severe cases, symptoms may mimic more serious neurological conditions and require immediate medical care.
Symptoms to Look for After a Fall
Not all back injuries appear right away. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to changes in your body after a workplace slip or trip. Some symptoms to look for after a fall include:
- Persistent or worsening back pain
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs
- Stiffness or difficulty bending and twisting
- Sudden loss of mobility or balance
- Visible deformity or swelling along the spine
- Bowel or bladder changes (which may signal nerve involvement)
Even if your symptoms seem minor at first, don’t ignore them. Some injuries, like disc extrusion or spinal fractures, can worsen over time without proper treatment.
Related: How to Stop Seasonal Slips, Trips, and Falls
Evaluation and Treatment Options
At Excelsia Injury Care, we begin with a thorough evaluation that may include a physical exam, imaging studies such as x-rays or MRIs, and a detailed review of your symptoms and medical history. Once we identify the injury, we create a customized treatment plan, which may involve:
- Medication management: To reduce pain and inflammation.
- Physical therapy: To restore mobility, strengthen muscles, and improve flexibility.
- Interventional procedures: Treatments like epidural steroid injections can relieve nerve pain from herniated discs or disc extrusion.
- Bracing: To stabilize spinal fractures while they heal.
- Surgical consultation: For severe injuries such as burst fractures or spinal cord contusions.
Early intervention makes a significant difference in recovery time and long-term outcomes. By addressing injuries quickly, patients reduce their risk of chronic pain or permanent mobility limitations.
How Excelsia Injury Care Helps You Heal
Recovering from a workplace slip and fall isn’t just about getting back on your feet, it’s about reclaiming your quality of life. At Excelsia Injury Care, our multidisciplinary team of physicians, physical therapists, and specialists work together to provide comprehensive treatment. From advanced diagnostics to personalized rehabilitation, we ensure every patient gets the care they need for a safe and steady recovery.
We also understand that workplace injuries can affect more than just your health – they can disrupt your livelihood and daily routine. That’s why our care focuses not only on healing your injury but also on helping you return to work and everyday activities with confidence.
Related: Preventing Long-Term Injuries from Workplace Falls
Don’t Wait – Protect Your Back After a Fall
Slips and falls happen in an instant, but without treatment, the impact on your back can last much longer. Whether you’re dealing with a sprain, a fracture, a possible disc extrusion, or a serious burst fracture vertebra, it’s crucial to take any back pain seriously. Know what symptoms to look for after a fall, and seek professional evaluation right away.
Talk with our team if you or a loved one are having back issues. At Excelsia Injury Care, we’re here to guide you through recovery, helping you regain the strength, mobility, and peace of mind to move forward with a healthier back.