Jo-Ann Scott-Noye, PT — Winter is upon us, and with of all this ice and snow, we know falls will happen. So…. who should you see after a fall? There is no sure answer to that, but here are some guidelines to help you decide.
If you hit your head during a fall, go the ER immediately if you experienced one or more of:
· Loss of consciousness
· Seizure
· Excessive bleeding that won’t stop with pressure applied for more than 15 minutes
· Vomiting, especially if you vomit more than once, including several hours after the accident
· Amnesia or memory loss
Symptoms may develop within the first 24-48 hours after your fall that should also be taken seriously. Go to the ER if you develop:
· An intense headache like you never had before
· Difficulty breathing, have a feeling akin to a lump in your throat, or difficulty speaking or finding your words
· You start vomiting
· Lose balance, coordination or control
· You lose or fade in and out of consciousness
Even if you didn’t hit your head, go to the ER if:
· You are unable to put weight on your injured side immediately after the fall
· Your limb is obviously misshapen
· You have low bone density and are at high risk of fractures
· Severe, unrelenting pain (this may not be indicative of a broken bone but it is best to rule it out after a fall)
· You are unable to move the injured body part
This is not an inclusive list. When in doubt, error on the side of caution and go to the emergency room.
Generally, if you hit your head, it’s a good idea to get check out by a family doctor within the first couple days. Go to a walk-in clinic or see your family doctor:
· If you hit your head and you are older than 65
· If you hit your head and are on blood thinners
If you have pain following a fall that does not warrant a visit to a doctor, come see on of our team at Reactive Health. Our providers can assess not only injuries to the body, but symptoms of mild concussion. A physiotherapist can assess the injured areas and determine what has been aggravated and the extent of the damage. Your physiotherapist will use hands-on manual therapy and prescribe individualized exercises to help relieve pain, restore movement, and get you back to living the life you want to live.
Even if your pain is better, you may have residual weaknesses or imbalances from the experience which can put you at risk of injuring the same area again. That’s why after any fall it is best to consult a physiotherapist to assess your strength, range of motion, and functional movements to help avoid any future issues.
If you have experienced a slip or fall on the ice and snow, we are here to help.