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Treatment for Slip & Fall Injuries

Slip and fall accidents are a leading cause of serious injuries such as head injuries and fractures, especially amongst the older adult population. Our team of orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, neurologists, and chiropractors ensure your slip and fall injuries receive proper, high-quality care to get you back on your feet.

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Twenty percent of all falls result in a serious injury, which is why careful assessment after a fall is crucial to ensure you receive proper care for any suspected injuries (1). Common injuries caused by falls include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), hip fractures, and fractures in the arms.

Fall risk also increases with age, with 25% of senior citizens falling at least one time per year (2). Factors which contribute to increased fall risk with aging include diminished responsiveness of the vestibular system, decreased reaction time, poor balance, muscle weakness, and vision impairments.

Management of slip and fall injuries and prevention of future falls involves a multidisciplinary care team. This includes orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, physical therapists, and chiropractors, amongst other practitioners.

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Schedule an appointment today and join our patient family.

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The best of the best. I was injured but the love and care I got was second to none.

Chad D.

All the therapists were amazing, very professional and helped me al lot in my recovery. I feel great again.

Lina M.

Amazing staff, and extremely friendly. Professional technicians, and great facilities.

Alek A.

The entire staff is kind, caring and compassionate. They go above and beyond professionalism. This should be a training center, so they can show how it's done!

Donna W.

Dr. Pena was very attentive to my problem and provided instant relief.

Kristie S.

Excellent care and service. Great friendly & professional staff. Highly recommended.

Brett S.

Excellent care and service. Great friendly & professional staff. Highly recommended.

Brett S.

This wellness and rehab center is amazing. The staff, in special Dr. Exposito, go above and beyond to make you feel like a family member. The center is extremely clean, the equipment is top of the line.

Lisandra M.

Everyone here has a great attitude and are always calm, courteous and professional. They have been taking very good care of me and treat my 3 year old son with so much love and care.

Pey B.

The staff members here are really friendly, and dedicated to helping you feel better as fast as possible.

Brian B.

I ended up coming here for treatment after a car accident. I was reluctant at first, but the staff here couldn't be more accommodating. Everyone is friendly, professional, and caring.

R.B.

Common Slip & Fall Injuries

There are a multitude of factors that can increase risk of falling. Amongst adults who are 65 or older, falls are the top cause of injury (7).

Some other risk factors include medication use that causes dizziness or drowsiness, vision impairments, difficulty with bowel and bladder control, altered cognitive status, excessive alcohol use, weakness, and diabetic neuropathy, which can cause loss of sensation in the foot (8).

Some of the most common injuries that can result from slips and falls include hip fractures and head injuries such as TBIs, concussions, or skull fractures. Fractures of other bones are also common, especially in the arm.

Hip Fractures
Most hip fractures are caused by falls, with over 95% resulting from a slip or fall (3). Hip fractures are more common in females due to the increased prevalence of osteoporosis, or severely diminished bone density that often occurs with aging (4). 

Head Injuries
Head injuries can include skull fractures, concussions, and TBIs (5). Falls are the most common cause of TBIs amongst senior citizens (6). 

Other Fractures and Injuries
Falls also commonly result in forearm fractures in the radius or ulna, or fractures of the bones in the hand. These are especially common with falls that occur on an outstretched hand (FOOSH falls). Humeral fractures of the arm or clavicular fractures can also occur when one falls on the shoulder. 

It is also important to assess for any dislocations, ligamentous sprains, muscle or tendon strains, or lacerations and wounds. 

Treatment for Slip & Fall Injuries

If you're injured in a fall, a variety of treatment options are available depending on the nature and severity of your injuries. You should seek urgent medical care if you suspect an injury. Providers who are involved in treating fall injuries or conditions that can increase risk of falling include orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, physical therapists, and chiropractors.

Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgeons can assess fractures and other soft tissue injuries such as muscle, ligament, or tendon tears and make repairs if needed. 

Fractures may be managed conservatively or operatively. Some fractures may need a reduction, which involves realigning the bone at the break site(s) if any part of the bone has shifted out of place. 

This can be done in a closed technique where an operation is not necessary and immobilization via casting or splinting may be used to restrict weight bearing during the healing process. Other fractures may need an open or surgical reduction to realign the bone. 

Fixators such as nails, rods, screws, or plates may be used to maintain alignment of the bone fragments as the healing process occurs. Fixators can also be placed externally outside of the skin while connecting the bone fragments internally, though this is a less common method of fixation. Some fractures may not need a reduction at all. 

Orthopedic surgeons will determine the weight bearing status of the fractured limb during the healing process. This is based upon the type of fracture, the reduction technique, and any surgical fixation methods. 

Fracture classifications include closed or open, where the bone breaks through the skin, and can be partial or complete (9). Specific types include avulsion, where a muscle, tendon, or ligament is pulled from the bone, spiral, which wraps around the bone transverse, which is a direct line across the bone, oblique, which is a slanted line across the bone, comminuted, which is a shattering, or compression, which is flattening (9). 

Neurology for TBI
Neurologists can help treat conditions that may contribute to a fall or increase risk of slips and falls. Conditions may include Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and peripheral nerve diseases (10). Additional medical conditions they can treat include Huntington’s Disease (HD), spinal cord injuries (SCIs), vertigo, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and more. 

Neurologists can also be involved in care of stroke survivors, who experience increased fall risk from mobility impairments (11). Mobility impairments can include impaired gross motor function, coordination, and sensation, along with altered muscle tone such as rigidity or flaccidity.

Physical Therapy
Physical therapists are well-versed in assessing balance, strength, and range of motion deficits that may have led to a slip or fall or may increase risk of falling. Based upon impairments in body structures and functions, physical therapists can plan and implement programming for improving balance. 

They can also assist in attaining safety with functional transfers such as standing and moving from one surface to another. Another area of expertise includes achieving safe ambulation patterns on varied surfaces and steps. They may train individuals with or without assistive devices such as walkers and canes. Physical therapists also administer tests such as the Timed Up and Go to assess progress. Tests such as this one include cutoff scores for determining high fall risk. 

Along with assessing and improving balance, transfers, and ambulation, physical therapists can help with rehabilitation from fractures that may have resulted from falls. While adhering to any weight bearing precautions, they will work to improve range of motion and prevent muscle contractures from disuse. They will also help improve strength in weakened muscles to allow for safe transfers, standing, and walking. Conditioning is another key component of rehabilitation of fractures due to probable decreased cardiovascular function that occurs during immobilization.

Physical therapists can help treat head injuries from slip and falls and work to gradually improve tolerance to physical activity.

Physical therapists may make recommendations on modifications that can improve the safety of your home and decrease the likelihood of a fall.

Chiropractic Care
Chiropractors are specialized in providing pain relief for any injury that resulted from a slip or fall. They are able to provide adjustments for joint realignment including spinal manipulations (in the case that there is not a fracture at the joint site), soft tissue work for muscle relaxation, and they may recommend bracing or other forms of stabilization to protect joints and promote healing (12).  

References:
  • https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/index.html#:~:text=One%20out%20of%20every%20five,falling%E2%80%94usually%20by%20falling%20sideways. 
  • https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/fall-prevention-exercises 
  • https://www.cdc.gov/falls/hip-fractures.html#:~:text=More%20than%2095%25%20of%20hip,2%20usually%20by%20falling%20sideways.&text=Women%20experience%20three%2Dquarters%20of%20all%20hip%20fractures.&text=Women%20fall%20more%20often%20than,them%20more%20likely%20to%20break.
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5380170/#:~:text=However%2C%20osteoporosis%20and%20its%20complications,complications%20%5B3%2C%204%5D.  
  • https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/head-injury 
  • https://medlineplus.gov/traumaticbraininjury.html 
  • https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2679279 
  • https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/preventing-falls/causes-of-falls 
  • https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15241-bone-fractures 
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3845038/ 
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6371176/ 
  • https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21033-chiropractic-adjustment#:~:text=A%20chiropractor%20treats%20many%20conditions,Lower%20back%20pain.
 

Three convenient Florida locations serving you.

Common Questions

A variety of factors can influence healing time for fractures, including the bone and vascular supply, age, nutritional status, type of fracture, reduction type, and more. Generally, most bones take at least 12 weeks to heal.

Recognize if you are experiencing difficulty with balancing or notice weakness or any changes in your usual function. You should see a neurologist to assess for any potential neurological conditions and receive proper medication treatment. You may also wish to see a physical therapist to receive balance and functional training to prevent a fall from occurring.

Inability to bear weight on a joint, severe,sharp pain, swelling, redness, and bruising, noticeable visual deformity or feeling deformity when touching the site of pain, and severe or complete loss of motion are all red flag for a potential fracture. You should seek urgent medical care to assess and rule out a potential fracture if you have any suspicion that one has occurred.

Sharp pain, loss of consciousness, severe headache, memory deficits, loss of vision or blurred vision, open wounds, bruising, redness, or deformity of the skull after a fall can indicate a potential head injury.

Some simple tips: Avoid using throw rugs that can cause a slip or fall and wear sturdy shoes with non-slip or non-skid soles around the home. Consider installing grab bars in the bathroom or rails on the staircases and using an assistive device such as a walker or cane if needed.

Patients Love Us!

Schedule an appointment today and join our patient family.

Schedule Now

The best of the best. I was injured but the love and care I got was second to none.

Chad D.

All the therapists were amazing, very professional and helped me al lot in my recovery. I feel great again.

Lina M.

Amazing staff, and extremely friendly. Professional technicians, and great facilities.

Alek A.

The entire staff is kind, caring and compassionate. They go above and beyond professionalism. This should be a training center, so they can show how it's done!

Donna W.

Dr. Pena was very attentive to my problem and provided instant relief.

Kristie S.

Excellent care and service. Great friendly & professional staff. Highly recommended.

Brett S.

Excellent care and service. Great friendly & professional staff. Highly recommended.

Brett S.

This wellness and rehab center is amazing. The staff, in special Dr. Exposito, go above and beyond to make you feel like a family member. The center is extremely clean, the equipment is top of the line.

Lisandra M.

Everyone here has a great attitude and are always calm, courteous and professional. They have been taking very good care of me and treat my 3 year old son with so much love and care.

Pey B.

The staff members here are really friendly, and dedicated to helping you feel better as fast as possible.

Brian B.

I ended up coming here for treatment after a car accident. I was reluctant at first, but the staff here couldn't be more accommodating. Everyone is friendly, professional, and caring.

R.B.
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