These moves can help you heal faster
A fall can be minor and cause only a few bruises. But some can cause traumatic brain injuries, bone fractures, and even death. In fact, falls are one of the leading causes of death among adults age 65 and older, and each year three million seniors are seen in emergency rooms because they have suffered a serious fall.
If you are injured in a fall, following a recovery plan can help you heal.
When to seek assistance after a fall
One fifth of falls result in significant injuries, but even a small fall can indicate something is wrong. “Falls can predict functional decline as well as future injuries,” says Lisa Caruso, MD, director of quality and patient safety in the department of medicine at Boston Medical Center. This is one reason you should report any falls to your doctor, Caruso says, as well as any “involuntary position changes from a higher level to a lower level,” such as slipping from a chair or rolling out of bed. .
Tell your doctor even if you think nothing hurts, says Mary Campagnolo, MD, a family physician in Bordentown, New Jersey, and a member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Some injuries are not immediately apparent. In addition, your doctor can help you identify (and treat) the cause of your fall, whether it is a health problem, such as a vision problem, a medication side effect, or factors in the home, such as carpets that present a risk of falling. stumbles.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any pain as a result of a fall. If you’re having trouble moving, which could indicate a fracture, or you hit your head, go to the emergency room, says Dr. Janna Friedly, a professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. (Loss of consciousness or confusion, lightheadedness, headaches, and dizziness are signs of possible head injury.)
How recovery works
Whether or not you’ve been seriously injured, your doctor will likely prescribe physical therapy afterward, says Caruso. (If you’ve broken a bone, your doctor may also recommend some tests to check the health of your bones.) Physical therapy can help you recover if you have been injured and, if you have not been injured, it can reduce the risk of future falls. “The only intervention that has been shown to have any evidence in preventing falls is activity in a supervised setting,” he says.
The most serious injuries can require a long recovery process. For example, falls are a common cause of head injury in older people, and can take weeks, months, or sometimes more than a year to heal. Physiotherapy, getting enough sleep, and good nutrition and hydration help.
Surgery may be needed for a hip fracture, more than 300,000 adults are hospitalized for these surgeries each year in the United States. The procedure could be followed by a hospital stay of at least a few days, and then weeks in a physical rehabilitation center.
Medicare typically covers inpatient rehabilitation for about three weeks, Campagnolo says. But many people need physical therapy, and they require help with daily activities for a longer time. In fact, for many fall-related injuries, physical therapy can take months or more than a year. Some people also need occupational therapy to return to their usual activities, or speech therapy after a severe brain injury, Campagnolo says.
For anyone, mobility losses and slow progress can be frustrating. “Try to be patient,” says Caruso.
face fear
For some people, getting over worry about another fall can be quite a challenge. Physical therapy can help you regain your physical confidence, Campagnolo says. Additionally, people who do not resume their activity levels are more likely to fall again and experience a more serious injury the next time.
An assistive device like a cane or walker can also help you feel more stable, he says. And once you feel ready for a post-physiotherapy workout, and your doctor gives you the go-ahead, you’ll want to try exercises that help you build strength, balance and flexibility, experts say. Look for tai chi classes, gentle yoga, or enhanced fitness, a group exercise program found at YMCA clubs that aims to reduce the risk of falls.
Editor’s note: This article was also published in the February 2023 issue of Consumer Reports On Health.
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Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with the advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works with consumers to create a fair, safe, and healthy world. CR does not endorse products or services and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2023, Consumer Reports, Inc.