I often ask patients if they had any accidents or falls. Usually they are quick to say no, or that was a real long time ago. Guess what, that fall from a long time ago can contribute significantly to the pains you currently have. You may have sustained an injury that was never treated, and now in your “old age or second youth” as some may say, it rears its ugly head.

 How Falls Occur

They are among the most common dangers as it pertains to injuries. A huge concern overall, it is more so amongst the elderly population. One fall can change your life forever. They are a major threat to independent living, and increase the risk of an early death. Healthcare professionals consider it a fall, if you accidently and unexpectedly land on the ground. Sometimes landing on the ground unexpectedly,  is the result of a sudden impact from an outside force, or loss of consciousness (such as from a seizure, stroke, or heart problem). However, healthcare professionals consider an incident a fall, if it occurs for some other reason. Generally, a fall takes place in a familiar environment, while you are carrying out regular activities of daily living. It may even be the first sign of a new illness in an older person.

In children, and persons involved in sports, falls occur regularly, particularly with contact sports. Sports personnel and children alike fall and get up, but keep it going like all is well with the world. If you have fallen, particularly if elderly, you may develop a fear of falling again. This can prevent you from going out, or enjoying your normal activities.  That then lowers your physical fitness, which increases your risk for yet another fall.

Falls can cause all kinds of fractures, including a broken spine, hip, arm, leg, ankle, or pelvis.  They are responsible for a high number of brain injuries in older people. They are also the number one cause of hospital admissions for injuries in older adults, and are responsible for increased use of medical services. Younger children break their arm or leg in the simplest of ways, but they are usually excited about friends and family writing and drawing things on the cast.

 The Most Common Types of Falls

Although they may occur anywhere, most falls happen at home.  They can surprise you when you are least expecting it, such as while you are doing normal everyday functions. Items in your home environment can turn out to be a hazard.  For example, a dark stairway, a rug, or a piece of furniture.

It’s human nature to let our guard down temporarily, and be distracted by random thoughts or doing multiple activities. Being in a hurry, will result in walking too fast or running, which increases the chances of a slip, trip or fall. Taking shortcuts, not watching where one is going, using a cell phone, carrying materials which obstruct the vision, wearing sunglasses in low-light areas, not using designated walkways and speed, are common factors in many injuries.

Falls that result in broken bones are twice as common in older women, than older men. One of the most frequent and serious fractures is a broken hip, which is a leading cause of loss of independence. If you were healthy before breaking a hip, usually you will recover, return home, and live on your own after some rehabilitation. But many older people need long-term care after falling and breaking a hip.

 How Common are Falls?

Each year, up to a third of adults over the age of 65 who live at home experience a fall. It’s even worse for people living in nursing homes, about half of whom fall each year. Almost two-thirds of older adults who suffered a fall within the past year will fall again.

Falls and the complications from them are the leading cause of both non-fatal and fatal injuries in adults age 65 and over. Although older women are more often injured in falls, men have a higher risk of dying after a fall.

Most falls only cause bruises and scrapes. However, some falls result in lacerations (cuts), broken bones, head trauma, or other serious injuries.  These, unfortunately, require a trip to accident and emergency.

Your feet mirror your general health . . . cherish them!