Late winter weather in Illinois is unpredictable. An ice storm can be followed by snow the following day and a thaw on the third day.
But one commonality pervades the prairie in February. The ice, snow and mud mean many Illinoisans will slip and fall.
The good news is there are steps to take to reduce your risk of falls and strategies to mitigate injury if you go down.
“You can take reasonable precautions to reduce your injury risk and stay healthy this winter,” Brandon Divan, DPT, Cert. MDT, physical therapist at Carle Therapy Services Champaign-Urbana, said.
Lori Ritter, RN, CEN, trauma/quality coordinator in the Emergency Department at Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Normal, agreed. This time of year, Carle Health Emergency Departments treat a variety of injuries resulting from falls, including broken and fractured bones, especially of the wrist, hip, elbow and ankle, Ritter said.
“Elderly on blood thinners are especially at risk for serious bleeding, particularly to their brains, which can cause serious consequences,” Ritter warned.
Ice is particularly worrisome for people with balance issues and fear of falling, Divan said.
“Anybody can be injured while slipping and falling on ice,” he said. “Many injuries we see here in physical therapy are for FOOSH (falling on an outstretched hand) and hip injuries. Working at Carle’s Brain and Spine Center, we also see a lot of people with head injuries, in addition to back and neck pain after a fall. In severe cases, someone may experience a compression fracture of a vertebrae or of the skull.”
“A lesser-known risk factor for falling is the fear of falling itself,” Divan said. “People may have justifiable reasons to fear falling, such as poor balance, altered attentional processes, lack of lower limb strength and sensation, history of falls or poor vision.”
The good news is there are steps that people can take to reduce their risk of falls and injuries. Here are tips and strategies from Divan and Ritter:
Caring for a fall can vary depending on your current condition and the impact of the fall. If you can move all your joints and have no symptoms of a head injury and no suspicion of broken bones, you may be able to self-care at home. Apply ice to bruised or swollen areas.
If you have a sprain, strain or minor laceration, go to your closest Convenient Care location. If you have a broken bone, possible head injury, serious bleeding or bruising, or severe pain, call 911 or have someone drive you to the closest Emergency Department (ED). Anyone taking a blood thinner should be evaluated in the ED.
When accidents happen, know that Carle Health Convenient Care and Emergency Department medical professionals are ready to help. If therapy must follow immediate care, Carle Health has you covered there as well, with several Therapy Services locations.
But one commonality pervades the prairie in February. The ice, snow and mud mean many Illinoisans will slip and fall.
The good news is there are steps to take to reduce your risk of falls and strategies to mitigate injury if you go down.
“You can take reasonable precautions to reduce your injury risk and stay healthy this winter,” Brandon Divan, DPT, Cert. MDT, physical therapist at Carle Therapy Services Champaign-Urbana, said.
Lori Ritter, RN, CEN, trauma/quality coordinator in the Emergency Department at Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Normal, agreed. This time of year, Carle Health Emergency Departments treat a variety of injuries resulting from falls, including broken and fractured bones, especially of the wrist, hip, elbow and ankle, Ritter said.
“Elderly on blood thinners are especially at risk for serious bleeding, particularly to their brains, which can cause serious consequences,” Ritter warned.
Ice is particularly worrisome for people with balance issues and fear of falling, Divan said.
“Anybody can be injured while slipping and falling on ice,” he said. “Many injuries we see here in physical therapy are for FOOSH (falling on an outstretched hand) and hip injuries. Working at Carle’s Brain and Spine Center, we also see a lot of people with head injuries, in addition to back and neck pain after a fall. In severe cases, someone may experience a compression fracture of a vertebrae or of the skull.”
“A lesser-known risk factor for falling is the fear of falling itself,” Divan said. “People may have justifiable reasons to fear falling, such as poor balance, altered attentional processes, lack of lower limb strength and sensation, history of falls or poor vision.”
The good news is there are steps that people can take to reduce their risk of falls and injuries. Here are tips and strategies from Divan and Ritter:
- Stay inside when possible. “The mail and the garbage can wait!” Ritter said. “Every year, we see people going out to get the mail or bring in the garbage can when conditions are still bad, and they fall trying to get there.”
- If you have poor balance, attention problems, lack of lower limb strength and sensation or poor vision, talk with your healthcare provider about how these risk factors may be addressed.
- If you are planning to be outdoors during less-than-ideal weather conditions, make sure someone knows your plans and your route. “I have been a lifelong runner and I make sure to tell a loved one how long I plan to be outside and what my route will be,” Divan said. “That way, in case of an unexpected event, someone will be accountable to help should I need it.”
- Wear sturdy footwear with good traction. Use over-the-shoe walking cleats when it’s icy or snowy.
- Try to keep wherever you walk clear of ice, snow and mud. Use deicing products on steps and walkways.
- Walk slowly. Bend your knees and take small, shuffling steps. Some people describe this as walking like a penguin. Others say it’s similar to the cross-country skiing motion.
- If you begin to fall and have enough time to react, tuck in your chin to protect your head and cross your arms to reduce the risk of injuring your arms or wrist by breaking your fall with your hand. Try to land on your side or buttocks and roll through the fall instead of falling stiffly. That will help to redistribute your momentum so your fall isn’t concentrated on one area of your body, which increases injury risk.
- After a fall, people are embarrassed, which leads them to attempt to rise quickly. That can lead to another slip. Or, if they hit their head, getting up too quickly can result in dizziness and another fall. Instead, while still lying down, assess yourself for injuries. If you can’t get up, call for help. If you can get up, roll onto your side, then onto your hands and knees, then crawl to a stable place to support yourself while you slowly stand up.
If you have a sprain, strain or minor laceration, go to your closest Convenient Care location. If you have a broken bone, possible head injury, serious bleeding or bruising, or severe pain, call 911 or have someone drive you to the closest Emergency Department (ED). Anyone taking a blood thinner should be evaluated in the ED.
When accidents happen, know that Carle Health Convenient Care and Emergency Department medical professionals are ready to help. If therapy must follow immediate care, Carle Health has you covered there as well, with several Therapy Services locations.
Categories: Staying Healthy