Injured my back at work

[CrossUniStudent]

I injured my back at work yesterday lifting. It was just a twinge and and an ow at first not really any pain after. I noticed in the car on the home lifting my right foot to switch between the accelerator/brake hurt but only a little. I thought it was just a little strain.

As the evening/night has gone on it's so much worse. I can't move around in bed as it's so painful. I kind of have to pull myself onto my side using my headboard and arms to roll over to get up, as using my legs makes my back hurt so much. Then I struggle to get back in, again because lifting my legs is so painful. I can't shuffle around and get comfy as any use of my legs makes my back hurt. Walking is ok, sitting uncomfortable, bending - not sure how I'll get my pants and socks on tomorrow. When I'm sat or lying down it's gone from just lifting my right being painful to now lifting either leg is painful.

The pain is in my lower right back sort of into my hip. What have I done? Is this more than just a pulled muscle? Do I need to tell work? I don't want to make a fuss and it's all fine in a couple of days and I look dramatic. Do I need to see the GP?

I'm up to take some ibuprofen in hope of some sleep after!

Is there numbness in the saddle area?
Any loss of bowel / Bladder?

If Yes to either, then go to the hospital straight away

No fortunately not!

Could be a pulled muscle, muscle going into spasm, a trapped nerve or a partial prolapse of a disc - seeing a GP would help get an idea of what’s going on. Depending on what you do for a living, I’d be wanting to get checked and then speak to work about some amended duties while it’s bad. I would also definitely get it recorded in the accident book at work in case things continue to deteriorate

I had symptoms very similar to this a few weeks ago. 2 days of rest, and it got a lot easier. Felt a lot better after 4 days. I assumed I strained a muscle.

Probably a muscle? Best to keep moving, avoid sitting for long periods. Try putting a pillow under your knees when laying.

Hot and cold and ibuprofen.

If it doesn't ease book a physio appointment for further investigation

But you do need to inform work you were injured on their premises etc, regardless of whether you are able to work today or not.

Hopefully it's short lived and you're feeling better soon

Did you mention this at work at the time?
If not, do so asap. Back injuries can be quite drawn out, and difficult to prove where/when you did them after the fact.
Were you asked to lift something? Is lifting part of your role? Have you received lifting training? Did you agree to it at the time?

On the other hand, if you've pulled a muscle it can feel like you've been hit by a truck and will never move again, but it'll be ok in a few days. I'm currently dealing with a back injury a - damage to my rib cartilage. It's much more comfortable if I keep moving.

It might be advisable to see a physio to help with a diagnosis and exercises for some relief. Also see your GP in case a different route is needed in the in the longer term.

It just sounds like a pulled muscle - they can be very painful but don't tend to last long.

Alternate between putting hot and cold compresses on the area affected and take some pain killers to help you move and stretch.

tell your work as it doesn’t sound like you will be working today.

I'm not in today anyway. It's lifting I've been doing for a number of years had all the training etc, not sure what happened yesterday.

I took my ibuprofen which eased things and it feels a lot better this morning (unless the ibuprofen just hasn't worn off yet?) so bizarre as it was so bad last night!

Exactly what I had. I could barely move for 24-36 hours, and then it eased considerably.