How to Treat Common Slip and Fall Injuries

Slipping, falling, and injuring yourself is more common than you might think.

According to the National Security Council, falls are the third leading cause of unintentional death here in the United States. In 2014, over 31,000 people died from a fall in a home or a community. At work, almost 600 people died from falls.

Although falls can result in death, though, they’re much more likely to cause injuries. Falls are responsible for eight million visits to emergency rooms every year, which makes them the top reason people visit the emergency room. Slip and falls are responsible for one million emergency room visits and account for 12 percent of total falls.

Let’s look at where most slip and fall accidents occur, the most common types of slip and fall injuries, and the best treatments for those injuries.

Where Are People Most Likely to Slip and Fall?

Slip and falls can occur anywhere, but there are certain places that are more prone to slip and fall accidents. The 10 most common slip and fall accident locations include:

• Doorways
• Stairs
• Hallways with lots of clutter
• Areas with heavy traffic
• Areas likely to be wet or have spills
• Unguarded heights
• Uneven surfaces
• Unstable work surfaces
• Ladders
• Ramps

In order to avoid slip and falls in these areas, it’s important to keep some safety tips in mind:

• Clean up spills and stay off wet floors.
• Get rid of any possible tripping hazards or debris.
• Make sure there’s appropriate light inside and outside so you can see where you’re going.
• Wear slip-resistant shoes.
• Install handrails on all stairs and ramps.

What Are the Most Common Types of Slip and Fall Injuries?

Slip and falls can cause both minor and major injuries depending on the severity of the fall.

Head injuries. Head injuries – regardless of whether you’re experiencing symptoms – need immediate medical attention. Concussions tend to clear up on their own, but a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can potentially cause permanent damage.

Soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries can involve sprains, tears, and other injuries to your muscles, tendons, or ligaments. While soft tissue injuries aren’t always visible unless there’s swelling or bruising present, they can lead to chronic neck, shoulder, or back pain if left untreated

Cuts, wounds, and abrasions. These are usually the most minor slip and fall injuries and, at most, might require some stitches in addition to topical treatments.

Spinal cord injuries. In a slip and fall accident, you might injure, compress, or even sever your spinal cord depending on how bad the fall is.

Fractures and broken bones. Fractures account for nearly five percent of slip and fall accidents and can cause internal bleeding, neuromuscular damage, and chronic pain. Hips fractures are the most serious fall injuries and often cause the most health issues and number of deaths.

What Is the Best Treatment for Slip and Fall Injuries?

Despite our best efforts to prevent slip and falls, accidents happen and we often get injured in the process. If you’re suffering from a slip and fall, the type of treatment you need will depend on the specific injury you have suffered.

Emergency room care. If your injury is serious and immediate, an emergency room is your best bet. Traditional Western medicine is the best way to deal with broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and other emergencies.

Chiropractic care. You should consider contacting an experienced Florida chiropractor to determine which treatment options are best for you if you are dealing with issues like ongoing pain and stiffness. Chiropractic care focuses on alleviating the body’s pain and restoring it to its proper functionality naturally without surgery or medication. Spinal manipulation, electric stim therapy, and even massage therapy are potential ways that your chiropractor may help you recover from your injury.

Physical therapy.  This type of treatment focuses on teaching you techniques that you can use to restore function to your body, increase your range of motion and ability to move in general, reduce pain, and prevent disability.

Don’t continue to suffer from your slip and fall injuries and pain in silence, reach out to a knowledgeable professional today to begin the healing process.

About the Author:

Dr. Singer has been a practicing chiropractor for more than 20 years, and USA Health & Therapy has been around since 2004. Over the course of his career, Singer has helped tens of thousands of people with all kinds of issues by using a wide variety of treatment strategies. He has extensive knowledge of chiropractic modalities, including Gonstead, Diversified, Thompson Drop Table, and Activator, and in 1997 he earned a special adjunctive Chiropractic Certification in Spinal Trauma (CCST) to better provide care for car crash victims. Dr. Singer is licensed to practice chiropractic medicine in both Florida and New York.