Question4 days ago, my 80 year old dad, who is very active and in great shape, had to lift and move the end of a riding lawnmower. He was standing on uneven group as he began to life he heard a loud pop like the breaking of an instrument string and then immediate pain and was unable to move. My mom was able to get him to a doctor who said that if he still was having pain in 2 weeks they would do an MRI and to apply ice for two days. He had to crawl to the bathroom for two days. Yesterday he was able to stand and walk for a short distance. Today he has more pain again. When he stands up there his left hip seems to be tilted upward about 2 inches, even though he is not aware of it.
Questions: What would cause a loud popping sound like that.
Is waiting two weeks the best thing to do?
Is there something that he should be doing now to help him improve besides laying in bed applying cold and heat alternately?
Any help would be appreciated. He wants to stay active and doesn't like being in bed, but the pain when moving is severe.
Thank you,
Augusta, GA
AnswerThanks for your question. The audible "popping" you describe could have been caused by a joint cavitation resultant from the offending movement. Cavitation is the creation of a negative pressure within the capsule of a fluid-filled joint due to stretching of the joint capsule, resulting in the lubricating fluid of the joint being release instantaneously as a gas. A characterstic "popping" sound often results.
I would recommend having your father see a musculoskeletal-based chiropractor. X-rays should be taken if deemed clinically necessary. The chiropractor can determine if his problem is disc-related or muscle-related, and may be able to render some palliative treatment.
If your father experiences radiating leg pain from the low back, leg weakness, or difficulty with normal bowel or bladder function, an MRI should be sought emergently and a referral to a neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon considered.
I hope this helps to answer your questions.
