Most Common Slip and Fall Injuries Explained

Every year, 3 million older people are treated in emergency rooms for slip and fall injuries. Being injured in a slip and fall accident can be a frightening experience. Whether it occurred in your home, at your workplace, or in public- it’s an experience that you shouldn’t have to go through alone. At Impact Medical, you won’t. At our clinics, you can trust that our medical staff is here to ensure that you receive the proper treatment to get you back to feeling your best as quickly as possible.

Most Common Slip and Fall Injuries- What Are They?

Traumatic Brain Injury: In many slip and fall accidents, victims propel forward, their legs extend forward, and they fall backward. This causes them to hit the backside of their head. Depending on how hard they hit their head, they may break through the skin and suffer from brain damage. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.

Broken/Fractured Hip: Over 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling, usually when falling sideways. Depending on the severity of the fall, you can easily break or fracture your hip. According to the CDC, 95% of fall injuries result in hip fractures. It can result in extreme mobility issues and requires surgery, a multi-month recovery period, and is followed by physical therapy.
Wrist Injuries: Given the tendency to reach out when falling, wrist injuries are quite common in slip and fall cases as well. Wrists contain small bones and ligaments that can easily snap or strain on impact. If you notice intense wrist pain, swelling, and mobility issues, you need to seek medical attention. Physical therapy can help you regain your range of motion and get back in the swing of things.

Herniated Disks: The spine is composed of small bones that are separated by protective disks. Herniated disks occur when a disk slips out of place, causing a multitude of serious issues. Patients suffering from this typically experience sensations of numbness and/or weakness in their extremities, mild to severe pain, and decreased range of motion.

Concussions: This injury commonly goes undiagnosed but can have serious repercussions if not treated. You can experience vision and balance issues, trouble concentrating and talking, along with memory and coordination difficulties.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

Following a slip and fall accident, it is very important that you consult your doctor so that you can properly diagnose any injuries you might be suffering from. Many people will attempt to “self-diagnose” and overlook many noteworthy injuries. Your doctor (or any medical professional) will be able to assess and recommend a treatment for any injuries you may be suffering from and are unaware of – fully and accurately.

At Impact Medical of Wesley Chapel, our team is ready to work with you on a treatment plan that can ensure you heal from your slip and fall injury and guide you through every step of the process. The road to recovery isn’t always easy, and that’s why it’s our mission to make your journey as painless as possible. Get started today by giving us a call at (813) 953-1002!