Suffering a fall can cause a fracture, which can range from mild to serious. A mild or partial break can cause discomfort, while a serious break can immediately cause a total lack of movability in that area.
In order for a fracture to heal properly, you will need to rest the area and put a pause on your regular activities. Your doctor may apply a cast or a sling to the area to immobilize the bone so it can heal without being jostled out of place.
Let’s talk about what areas of the body tend to suffer a bone fracture due to a fall, and where you can go for expert orthopedic care to treat everything from broken bones to sprains and strains.
What Bones Are Often Broken in a Fall?
The most common fractured bones from falls are in the wrist, hip, shoulder, arm, knee, and ankle. Usually, a person tries to break a fall by extending their hand toward the floor or the ground, and this frequently results in a broken wrist. If you fall forward, you may also break a bone in your knee or in the leg.
How to Prevent Fractures
To reduce your chances of falling and suffering a broken bone, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Wear shoes that fit you well. Shoes that are comfortable, supportive, low-heeled, and with non-skid soles can provide extra protection against slips and falls.
- Mind the floor. Always be aware of the presence of water or anything that can make the floor or the ground slippery. Melted snow, ice, or slush on your deck, driveway, or sidewalk can cause you to slip. Likewise, if you spill something on the floor, clean it up right away – you could forget about it even just a couple of minutes later and end up slipping.
- Stay physically active. Regular exercise keeps your bones and muscles strong and improves flexibility and balance, which can all help to protect you against falls. Plus, if you do suffer a fall, you are more likely to avoid a fracture if you are strong and limber.
- Get at least six hours of sleep. Lack of sleep can make you more susceptible to falls and other accidents.
Orthopedic Doctor in North Dakota
Our orthopedic surgeons here at The Bone & Joint Center specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of fractures. We will first make sure that your broken bone is in proper alignment for it to heal correctly, and that you have all the information and tools you need for an easy recovery – including physical therapy if necessary.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our outstanding orthopedic doctors, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (800) 424-2663 (BONE) or by filling out our convenient online request form now. We look forward to being your healthcare partner!
