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Original poster

Would you go to A&E? A&E staff views particularly welcome!

126 replies

OhShutUpThomas · 04/10/2025 07:28

Yesterday I was thrown (literally!) from my horse. A spectacular leap and flick, meaning that I was launched from about 12-15’ in the air and landed on my lower back in sort of a half sit-up position.

After a while I managed to get back on and ride home, I was about a mile away, no signal and didn’t feel I could walk that far.

I managed to get through yesterday, make tea etc fold washing. It is obviously very sore but I can technically do stuff.

I’m aching from my lower back/pelvis, and also up through my neck and back of my head. I’ve had a few instances of mild pins and needles in arms/hands but nothing horrendous.

What’s worrying me is the tales you hear of missed fractures. I’d think I would be in agony then but I know people it’s happened to who weren’t. Also I have a high pain threshold and animals that need looking after.

WWYD?

OP posts:
Jamclag · 04/10/2025 08:18

Go to A & E - this was a serious accident and could still be an emergency.
You don't mess about with spinal injuries!
Hope all turns out okay for you.

FlibbertyGibbitt · 04/10/2025 08:20

The pins and needles thing would worry me. You should go to A&E.

CrotchetyQuaver · 04/10/2025 08:22

Yes I'd take yourself off down to A&E and get that checked out. I know it's a pain with the animals to do but I don't think you have a lot of choice really, that sounds a nasty fall.

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General health
olympicsrock · 04/10/2025 08:24

And yes go immediately . This is an emergency . If you are walking round with an instable neck Injury which shifts and injures the spinal cord , you could end up paralysed with whole body Involved. This is why a trauma doctor/ ambulance would have put you immediately into a hard collar with blocks either side to stop you moving your head intil
a CT rules out neck injury.

Imhereagainseriously · 04/10/2025 08:24

ConkersEverywhere · 04/10/2025 07:48

Go, asap. I had a fall in 1998, I got back on, carried on, drove home etc.. I felt dizzy in the evening, took myself to A&E. I’d broken my neck. C2, it had cracked but not moved.

Don't wait for even a minute OP.

Me too fell off horse left it 24 hours went to hospital broken L1, it was painful but still walking about driving etc.

Deeprug · 04/10/2025 08:26

You're probably on your way now, but it's just not worth NOT going. There is way too much at risk here.

YelloDaisy · 04/10/2025 08:28

Go to A/e -you can always exaggerate how much more painful it is but I don’t think you’ll need to, but you need properly examined

FightingInAVatOfJellyBabies · 04/10/2025 08:28

Ring 111 - they will triage you. Yes it takes time for a call back but at least you spend that time at home.
They can then make an appointment at a MIU/urgent care that does have access to X ray.

Isitmybathtimeyet · 04/10/2025 08:29

Jellybunny56 · 04/10/2025 08:16

I’d seek medical advise but not A&E- over 24 hrs later this isn’t an emergency, it’s a “seek advice and if they think you need it you’ll be sent for an xray” situation

The A of A&E isn’t just decorative.

Moochingallday · 04/10/2025 08:31

I hope you encounter or just about to head off to Accident and Emergency (you have had an accident as pp has said). Don't mess with your spine even if you think you might be okay - I say this from experience of urgent spine medical need but no intense pain!

Princesspollyyy · 04/10/2025 08:35

111 is useless in our area. They send everyone to the main a&e, people turn up there, and get told by a&e staff to go to minor injuries (which is in the next city so not easy to get to).

bloodredfeaturewall · 04/10/2025 08:38

your symptoms are concerning enough to go to a&e.
I wouldn't be surprised if you need a brace for a while

FightingInAVatOfJellyBabies · 04/10/2025 08:38

Princesspollyyy · 04/10/2025 08:35

111 is useless in our area. They send everyone to the main a&e, people turn up there, and get told by a&e staff to go to minor injuries (which is in the next city so not easy to get to).

There have been recent changes- it is worth ringing them first.

Lottie6712 · 04/10/2025 08:38

A family member fractured her back skiing and managed to ski down back to the apartment! Go get it looked asap.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 04/10/2025 08:42

You’ve had a significant accident, are in pain and are worried you might have a fracture, of course it’s fine to go to A&E and you should have gone straight after it happened. Delaying going to A&E isn’t saving the NHS money, often it will end up costing more because an injury that could have been treated easily becomes worse and requires more intensive, costly treatment.

Original poster
OhShutUpThomas · 04/10/2025 08:43

Thanks all. I have a lot on today which technical can’t be cancelled, but I’ll see what I can do/how helpful husband will be.
It’s much worse now I’m up ☹️

OP posts:
Christmashatglee · 04/10/2025 08:46

I always say it is in the name. Is it an accident and/or is it an emergency. In your case it is definitely an accident and potentially an emergency as you have pins and needles following a trauma to your back.

whataballbag · 04/10/2025 08:48

I work for the ambulance service. 111 would send you to a&e. Most minor injuries only tend to xray limbs and generally won’t accept a potential spinal injury like that.

Your pain has increased, and the tingling suggests a possible nerve problem, don’t leave it to get worse, go and get seen x

70sMuuMuu · 04/10/2025 08:49

Jellybunny56 · 04/10/2025 08:16

I’d seek medical advise but not A&E- over 24 hrs later this isn’t an emergency, it’s a “seek advice and if they think you need it you’ll be sent for an xray” situation

What makes you so confident she doesn’t have a fracture that needs stabilising? One that could cause paralysis if it moved? Impressive that that you can be so sure.

Sera1989 · 04/10/2025 08:49

With the pins and needles yes I would go. I would consider calling 111 first because they will have more info on your minor injuries unit and whether the imaging department would be able to help/be open today. If not then A&E, it’s an accident and is causing you pain and neurological symptoms

Longingforspringtime · 04/10/2025 08:53

I was in a bad car crash at high speed. Paramedics were dismissive of my injuries. I spent the next day in pain, so the following day went to minor injuries. I waited two hours in agony and got shouted at by the nurse for wasting her time as they can't deal with a potential serious injury. I then went to A&E and after seven hours had a CT scan to be told there was nothing wrong. Still in agony I went back and they refused to see me but sent me to a GP in the hospital. After five hours I was seen and he realised that I had severe abdominal injuries. I've had major surgery and the recovery is taking months.

Don't waste your time with minor injuries OP. Go to A&E and if they discharge you without treatment, but you still have pain, persevere.

CameForAVacationStayedForTheRevolution · 04/10/2025 08:54

I broke one of my vertebra in my spine right the way through and walked 2 miles home, so it’s very much technically possible to walk/do stuff after fracturing your spine. Saying that by the time I got home I was sobbing hysterically with the pain but guess not every fracture will cause the same amount of pain. I also knew I’d broken something as I heard a massive loud crack and felt it snap when I hit the floor. I got a taxi to a&e and walked in on my own still sobbing.

it could all be muscular, your muscles can go into spasm, etc then press on nerves and cause pins and needles but better to let a doctor assess what needs doing.

sashh · 04/10/2025 08:55

Go to A and E, you fell and landed on your back that means you could have done a lot of damage or none. Or somewhere in between.

You need to get medical attention.

Funnywonder · 04/10/2025 08:57

Isitmybathtimeyet · 04/10/2025 08:29

The A of A&E isn’t just decorative.

Show quote history

Couldn’t agree more. Also, of course it can still be an emergency 24 hours later. If there’s a serious problem that wasn’t addressed at the time, it could be even MORE of an emergency later on. Honestly, I’m sick of the Accident and Emergency pendants/gatekeepers on here.

nhsmanagersanonymous · 04/10/2025 09:00

With that mechanism of injury she likely needs a CT. If you don’t know what you are talking about don’t comment on these threads. You are a fucking liability.