A slip and fall accident is rarely a minor incident that you can walk away from with nothing worse than an injury to your ego. In reality, as the doctors at our Decatur injury clinic see on a daily basis, people who suffered this accident need medical care for a wide range of injuries.
As we will detail here, many of these injuries are severe. So always err on the side of safety and come to us for diagnostic tests and treatment after a slip and fall accident.
1. Bone Fractures
Bone fractures are very common among older adults and children after a severe fall. Fractures can be closed (the bone is broken within a limb) or open (when the broken bone penetrates through the muscle tissue and skin.
In most of the cases, fractures require a cast and bed rest. In some cases, you may need surgery to set the bone in the correct position and help it heal.
2. Soft Tissue Injuries
Muscle tears or strains are not only painful, but they can lead to reduced loss of function if they are left untreated. After a slip and fall accident, such injuries happen when you fall in an awkward position, twisting your legs or arms behind you.
The good news is that our doctors can help you manage pain, reduce inflammation and make a full recovery after such injuries. Using a combination of medications, chiropractic and physical therapy, we will make sure that your injury heals properly and you regain full use of the injured part.
3. Hip Dislocation or Fracture
Falling sideways after you slip on a wet or icy surface may cause dislocation or even fracture of the hip. This is one of the most important joints in your body, supporting your torso and allowing you to walk.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hip fractures and head injuries caused by slip and fall accidents result in over 800,000 hospitalizations each year at national level. These are some of the most serious injuries resulting from a fall, with a high risk of permanent disability even after treatment.
4. Back Injuries
Falling on your back on a hard surface can cause severe trauma to several parts of your body:
- The muscles
- The ribs
- The spine and the spinal cord
Many patients who come to our Decatur injury clinic suffer from severe back pain and are even worried about a potential spinal cord injury. This is the most severe type of slip and fall injury, which may result in paralysis.
Through a combination of therapies and treatments, we aim to offer you relief from the pain and help your body heal from these injuries. In parallel, our exceptional team of personal injury lawyers will work with you to protect your legal rights and file a slip and fall accident claim against the party whose negligence caused your fall.
5. Neck and Head Injuries
A slip and fall can lead to injuries to the neck, head or even the brain. Any injuries to these parts of the body require immediate diagnostic tests to identify the precise location and extent of the injury.
You should not ignore symptoms such as neck stiffness, headaches and dizziness. They are all symptoms of whiplash, but also of traumatic brain injury – one of the most severe types of injuries. Depending on the nature of your problem, our doctors may have to refer you to a specialist for advanced treatments or even surgery.
The Doctors at Our Decatur Injury Clinic Are Ready to Help You after a Slip and Fall!
As you can see, slip and fall accidents can cause severe injuries, so do not neglect getting seen by a doctor immediately afterwards. You may need immediate treatment, even if the injury is not visible to the eye.
If you are in the area of our Decatur injury clinic when you suffered the slip and fall accident, call 1-800-HURT911 and let our doctors know that you need our help!
