The Nature of Autumn Injuries and How to Best Avoid Them

We often associate autumn with quiet walks among changing leaves or relaxing with a cup of hot chocolate and a long movie. This is also the time when emergency rooms begin to be crowded with more people with various injuries. Fall weather makes it easier for us to slip and fall. Also, the decreasing temperature does not encourage us to be more attentive when we are in a hurry – often wanting to get somewhere as quickly as possible.

If you are over the age of 60, the risk of getting injured in a fall is very high. As we age, our bones become brittle and more susceptible to injury. However, everyone can be at risk. Outdoor sports also become more dangerous at this time of year. Runners and cyclists accustomed to training outdoors may not even notice that surfaces become slippery and that our shoes are not adapted to autumn conditions.

What can happen to us?

Dislocations and sprains

When you trip or slip, your body anticipates an impending fall. We then react in an unusual way, trying to protect ourselves from it. One reaction may be a sudden rotation of the entire body, which looks for stable support in the closest handrail. Unfortunately, it often happens that the railing or wall is too far away, placing the weight of the entire body on twisting joints and ligaments. It is in these situations that sprains can most easily occur, which are one of the most common autumn injuries.

Fractures

If you fail to protect yourself during a fall, your entire body weight may hit a hard surface, such as an icy sidewalk. In extreme situations, it may even lead to fractures, which are most likely to affect seniors and people with bone problems. If you have inured yourself because of someone else’s negligence, be sure to contact a slip and fall attorney to open a potential legal case. The most common fracture associated with falls are femur fractures.

TBI’s (Traumatic brain injury)

If you slip and hit your head in a fall, you could suffer a skull fracture or even a brain injury. Depending on the impact, this type of injury can affect all aspects of your life and ability to function daily. This means months or even years of rehabilitation, often learning basic tasks from scratch. Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury in people over 67 years of age.

Spine injuries

Spinal injuries resulting from falls are not as common as bone fractures, but they can have more serious consequences for our health and eligible for compensation in spinal cord legal cases. In milder cases this will mean chronic pain. Sometimes, however, spine injuries can even lead to paralysis of part or the entire body. This may involve:

• Discopathy
• Spine fracture
• Spinal dislocation
• Spinal misalignment
• Spinal cord damage
• Paralysis
• Chest injuries

How to avoid fall injuries and fall injuries

The most effective way to avoid these types of injuries is to prevent falls in the first place. This means wearing shoes that provide traction on wet or slippery surfaces. Such shoes are primarily trappers or other footwear with a properly prepared sole. It is also worth keeping the following tips in mind:

• Avoid rushing to get to your destination
• Stick to sidewalks and designated paths rather than riskier shortcuts
• As the days get shorter, use well-lit trails at night and carry a flashlight
• Avoid damaged sidewalks
• Keep your hands free for better balance and support if you fall
• If you care about your health and practice sports, use the treadmill at a nearby gym instead of running on a wet surface

How to support your body to reduce the risk of autumn injuries.

Take care of your bones

Bone health is important for people of all ages, although people over 60 should pay special attention to it. Many factors contribute to strong bones, such as the appropriate amount of calcium in the diet, the level of vitamin D, and even something as inconspicuous as the level of omega-3 fatty acids.

Strengthen your joints

To prevent joint sprains and strains, focus on a diet full of collagen and hyaluronic acid. These are the basic elements that make up our synovial fluid. Remember that vitamin C is also important for proper collagen synthesis, which will additionally help you strengthen your immunity in the autumn months.