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Back issue with blueish mark
( My father's age is 79)
As discussed, I am sharing the picture of my father’s pain-affected area on the right side of his lower back. I have marked the area in the image. You may notice a bluish mark, which is where the pain is ( see the picture attached)
A few days ago, he had a minor fall at home. Since then, he has been experiencing pain.
The pain is only in the marked area and is not radiating to the leg or the spine.
The pain increases with movement, and even at rest the pain is present and very painful. It is limited to the marked area and is not felt in the leg or the spine.
Answers (12)
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The photo shows a bluish-purple mark (ecchymosis / bruise) in the right lower back area, exactly where the pain is located. This is almost certainly a bruise (contusion) caused by the minor fall a few days ago.
At 79 years of age, even a low-impact fall can cause significant bruising and pain because:
• Skin and subcutaneous tissue are thinner and more fragile
• Blood vessels are more fragile → bleed easily under the skin
• Healing is slower
The fact that:
• Pain is localized only to the bruised area
• No radiation to leg or spine
• No numbness, weakness, or tingling in legs
• Pain worse on movement, present at rest
…makes serious spinal injury (fracture, disc prolapse, nerve compression) very unlikely. This looks like a soft-tissue injury (muscle contusion + subcutaneous bleeding) — common and usually self-limiting in older adults.
Next Steps
1. See a doctor within 1–3 days (do not wait longer because of age)
• Preferably orthopedic doctor or general physician who can examine.
• They will most likely:
• Do a clinical examination (press on area, check spine movement, neurological test of legs)
• Order X-ray of lumbosacral spine (to rule out vertebral fracture — common in elderly falls even with minor trauma)
• Possibly ultrasound soft tissue or CT if suspicion of deeper hematoma
2. Go to emergency / hospital same day if any of these appear:
• Pain suddenly becomes much worse
• Swelling increases rapidly
• Fever develops
• Numbness, weakness, or tingling starts in legs
• Difficulty passing urine or stool (very rare but serious sign of cauda equina)
• Dizziness, confusion, or blood in urine/stool
Health Tips
• Pain relief (safe for elderly):
• Paracetamol 500–650 mg every 6 hours (max 3 g/day) — safest first choice
• If not enough → Ibuprofen 200–400 mg after food, 2–3 times/day (only 3–5 days, watch for stomach upset)
• Topical: Volini gel / Moov gel / Diclofenac gel 3–4 times/day — apply gently over bruise (avoid open skin)
• Home care (very important):
• Ice pack wrapped in cloth → 10–15 min every 2–3 hours for first 48–72 hours (reduces swelling & pain)
• After 3 days → switch to warm compress (helps blood reabsorption)
• Absolute rest for 3–5 days — avoid bending, lifting, sitting long
• Sleep on firm mattress, use pillow under knees when lying on back
• Elevate the area slightly when lying down (small pillow under lower back)
• Healing time:
• Pain usually peaks at 2–5 days, then gradually reduces
• Bruise color changes (purple → blue → green → yellow → fades) over 2–4 weeks
• Full comfort usually returns in 2–6 weeks depending on size of bruise
This is a very common injury after falls in elderly — most resolve completely with rest, pain relief, and time.
The X-ray is mainly to give peace of mind (rule out hidden fracture), but clinically it does not sound like one.
Please take him to the doctor soon — better to get examined and reassured.
If you want help preparing questions for the doctor or if anything changes (more swelling, new symptoms), consult online anytime.
Take care of him — wishing him quick relief
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Juz analgesics is sufficent...if pain severe consult a physician for nerv damage..or muscle pain..diclofenac gel and thrombophobe ointment for local application...xray hip if any disability..
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It is a Bruise more common in old age and also it they take blood thinners or steroids
Do the following,
1. Monitor the bruise- expect it to gradually fade away in a couple of weeks
2. Blood tests- CBP
3. Hirudin ointment once a day for a week
All the best.
J G S R clinic
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Need few more details for proper understanding of your issue.
You can consult with me online on Practo or whatsapp on eight three one eight four six nine eight eight six for proper diagnosis, conclusion and management
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BRUISE
SMALL VEIN RUPTURED DUE TO FALL.
LOCALLY APPLY
THROMBOPHOB GEL THREE TIMES A DAY.
TAB ZERODOL SP THREE TIMES A DAY AFTER FOOD FOR OR SOS THREE TO FIVE DAYS.
NOTHING TO WORRY.
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Small blood vessels can rupture after a fall, causing bluish discoloration and pain, This supports a local injury rather than nerve pain (like sciatica).Xray,CT or MRI needed fast to evaluate. Is he taking any drug like warfarin, aspirin or any other blood thinner?? History may be important in this case.please feel free to consult me on practo for further management.
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As your father is a aged one his body would be somewhat fragile as compared to a young body. A as
Generally the pain should subside or reduce in 3-4 days.
But if pain persists or some danger signs are seen you should immediately consult the doctor.
Danger signs :-
Blood in urine
Pain over shoulder tip
Breathing difficulty more than usual one.
Radiating pain to leg
Next Steps
Just wait for 3-4 days and if the pain persists or danger signs presents , contact the doctor
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Dr. Kamal Kumar
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rewari
Dear Patient
Based on your description — a minor fall followed by localized pain with a bluish discoloration — the most likely cause is soft tissue injury (muscle contusion / hematoma) around the lower back.
What you should do now
• Apply cold compress (ice pack wrapped in cloth) for 15 minutes, 3–4 times daily for first 48 hours if swelling present, then warm fomentation after 2–3 days
• Give pain relief such as Paracetamol 650 mg up to 3 times daily (if no liver issue)
• If pain is severe, a topical diclofenac gel can be applied locally
• Encourage gentle movement but avoid bending, twisting, or lifting
• Provide firm mattress support while lying
Important — do X-ray
Because of his age and fall history, lumbar spine and pelvic X-ray is advisable if:
• Pain is severe or not improving within 3–5 days
• Difficulty standing or walking
• Pain increases on pressing bone area
• Night pain persists
Elderly patients can sometimes have small compression fractures even after minor falls
Warning signs — seek urgent care if
• Leg weakness or numbness
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Increasing swelling or expanding bluish area
• Fever
Most soft tissue injuries improve within 1–2 weeks with proper care.
For detailed evaluation and prescription guidance, you can consult me or text me on Practo anytime.
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Dr. Shahbaz Khan
General Physician
4 yrs exp
Delhi
Get a consultation with a physician don't take medication with proper consultation
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Practitioner
7 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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