When snow flies: slips and falls
Slip and falls are the leading causes of spinal injuries and nerve pain, especially during the winter months in Minnesota. Over 10 million people a year are injured in slip and fall accidents, according to the Mayo Clinic. When left untreated, they can lead to chronic pain and cause other bodily issues due to overcompensating. Additionally, the quick reactive reflex of “catching yourself” to prevent a slip or fall can cause muscle trauma and pain, and other medical issues.
Slip and fall prevention
- Proper footwear
- Traction devices that fit over shoes and boots to provide extra grip
- Adjust your gait for the weather, landing with a flat foot for maximum stability
- Frequent salting of your walkway or driveway
- Asking a neighbor or friend/relative for help with shoveling when conditions aren’t the best
- Stocking up on extra groceries or ordering delivery so you don’t have to go out (when possible)
Common slip and fall injuries include:
- Bruises and cuts
- Pulled muscles, stretched tendons or torn ligaments
- Soft tissue damage
- Sprained or broken wrists, ankles, arms or legs
- Fractured hip, tailbone, collarbone or dislocated shoulder
- Head injuries or injured spinal cord
What to do if you experience a slip and fall
If you’ve experienced a serious slip and fall, it’s critical you seek medical attention, especially if you are an older person. Even if you don’t think you were badly hurt, serious injuries can take a while to begin causing you pain or limit your ability to work or perform daily tasks, especially head injuries. If you were at work, file a worker’s compensation claim. If you were in a public place, it is important to report the fall. In certain circumstances you may want to talk with legal counsel to protect you should your injury be more severe, you be out of work for a while, have hospital/surgery bills or need ongoing treatment.
If your pain lingers (6-12 weeks) from a slip and fall, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Pain Clinic to get a second opinion, or who can help you consider if a pain injection or rehabilitative therapies can help.
Seeking legal advice is free and remember: Never settle or even take money from the insurance company before talking to an attorney.
Learn more about the conditions we treat and our service offerings. And if you are ready to schedule a pain consultation, call (763) 201-8191.