Potential Injuries from Slipping and Falling on Ice

As the days grow colder, the chances that you’ll encounter slippery pavement increase. You could be walking down your front steps, driveway or shoveling snow and fall down on icy ground.

A range of injuries can result, from bruising and sprains to a concussion or broken bones. Understand potential injuries associated with this wintertime hazard and how recovery may unfold.

Injuries from Slipping and Falling on Ice

The injuries sustained in a slip and fall accident relate to where and how you land. When you slip on ice, your ankle, shoulder, wrist, back and head are often vulnerable. Common injuries include:

• Bruises and Lacerations: Especially falling on hard ground, you risk lacerations or abrasions. The impact can also result in a bruise, causing blood to accumulate beneath the skin.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: Attempting to brace your fall often makes it worse. Based on how fast and far you fall, the impact can be enough to bend your joint out of shape and crack adjacent bones. Shoulders, knees, ankles and elbows have the highest risks.
• Muscle Sprains and Strains: A sharp, sudden fall can stretch and damage muscle fibers, resulting in inflammation or a full or partial tear.
• Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries: If you fall sharply backward or land on an object, you risk hitting your head hard enough to experience a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI). The impact causes your brain to move back and forth and hit the inside of your skull. Symptoms of a TBI may be external, often characterized by bruising and punctured skin, or strictly internal, with changes in personality appearing months later. If you hit your head, seek medical attention right away.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Landing on your back can damage the bones and tissues of your spinal cord. You may experience pain, full or partial paralysis, or respiratory complications.
• Joint Injuries: Even if you don’t break a bone, a slip and fall accident could lead to joint dislocation in the shoulder, knee, back or neck.

How to Reduce Your Risks

Fall injuries are a significant concern during the winter months. To lessen your risks, people of all ages are advised to:

• Wear treaded, protective footwear to go outdoors.
• Walk at a slower pace, taking shorter steps on icy, slippery surfaces.
• Walk on textured surfaces like grass or gravel rather than pavement.
• Fully shovel all walking areas around your property and break up any ice below.
• De-ice driveways, walkways and sidewalks around your home.
• Always take your cell phone when you go outside, so you can call for help in case of a fall.
• Prepare to tuck and roll if you slip to protect your head, limbs and better distribute the impact force.

Treatment Following a Slip and Fall Injury

Treatment will vary depending on the severity of your injury:

• When the fall occurs, assess your pain and mobility. You may need to call 911 if you can’t sit up or stand.
• Even if you’re able to get up and move, soreness, pain and swelling may not appear right away. Should these symptoms emerge later, ice the affected areas, use over-the-counter pain relievers and make an appointment with your doctor.
• A trip to urgent care can look for broken bones and soft tissue injuries. You may need to undergo an imaging procedure like X-ray, CT scan, MRI or ultrasound.
• If rest, ice, compression and elevation don’t have an effect after 24 hours, see a doctor.
• Broken bones may not be as obvious to children. If your child complains of pain after a fall, they could be dealing with a fracture and need medical attention.

After seeking medical care, treatment may span from surgery and casting to help a broken bone heal to physical therapy exercises for a muscle sprain or strain.

After a slip and fall injury, let the physical therapists at Integrated Rehab guide your recovery. To schedule an appointment, contact us today.