[SavageGlow]

Injury from falling down the stairs

An 81-year-old woman presented with numerous injuries following a fall down a flight of stairs. Paramedics who accompanied her to the emergency department noted 500 mls of blood loss from a scalp wound which required bandaging.

Computed tomography (CT) of the chest and abdomen showed multiple rib and vertebrae fractures. Cranial CT revealed a posterior soft tissue injury with no skeletal or intracranial involvement.

The scalp infection that had developed before identification of the laceration meant that a general anaesthetic was required for wound closure. Examination under anaesthetic also revealed that some of the wound edges were friable. The lesion was extensively debrided and necrotic tissue was removed before closure was achieved primarily.

Post-operatively, the patient was continued on intravenous antibiotics. On the ward her condition stabilised and a social care plan was organised. She was discharged eleven days after the surgery, following the removal of sutures, with no signs of further infection or complications.

The patient was reviewed two months post-surgery complaining of an area of crusting and weeping. On examination the majority of the wound had healed uneventfully. Cleaning of the crusting lesion revealed a granulating area measuring roughly three centimetres in diameter (Fig.3). Following a course of topical corticosteroid application, this lesion continued to heal well and the patient had no complaints.

[Mr.NoCredit]

Getting old is hard and to have to go through things like that makes it even harder. Sorry she had to go through this but am relieved she healed well. Pretty sad occurrence.

[Tadhgín]

Awww poor old dotty. Glad she healed well

[Nates8er]

Where was this, was it in Virginia? If so, I know an old lady went thru just like this - fallen from a full staircase. Lost bunch of blood, but is alive to. Quite same position of thewound.