Falls and Fractures: Prevention and Treatments

Nobody likes to fall. Even the smallest tumble can lead to potentially serious health consequences — depending on how hard you fell and what part of your body was injured.  It’s also a fact that your risk of injury from falls increases with age due to diminishing bone mass. 

At the office of J. Turner Vosseller, MD, our team of orthopedists is highly skilled in the treatment of falls and fractures. We take pride in offering compassionate care, working to treat your injury and educate you on ways to prevent future falls and the complications that can occur.

A surprising number of falls occur at home — most commonly for seniors, after getting up at night or in the early morning to use the bathroom or walking to the kitchen. The most common locations for fracture are the hip, shoulder and wrist. 

Treatment often depends on what body part was injured. Many arm fractures can be treated in a sling or cast, while, many lower extremity fractures need surgery in order to maintain mobility and independence. 

Strategies for fall prevention

The best prevention is to lessen the risk. Do weight-bearing exercises such as walking and hiking, in addition to resistance exercises such as lifting weights to help strengthen your bones. As you age, consider using an assistive device such as a cane or walker, which helps maintain balance, especially at night when seeing may be more difficult. 

At the office of J. Turner Vosseller, MD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate orthopedic care. We carefully assess each case individually and develop a customized treatment plan for each patient. For more information on the services we provide, give us a call today.

By J. Turner Vosseller

January 25, 2021