Slip-and-fall injuries can range from mild to fatal, and they can be especially dangerous for the elderly. A common injury among older people resulting from a slip and fall is a hip injury.
As we age, decreased bone density, joint degeneration and other causes make hips more prone to serious injuries. While hip injuries can happen at any age, older people are especially prone to them.
What to do after falling
If you fall on your hip or injure your hip in a fall, you should immediately:
- Seek medical attention, even if the injury seems minor. A healthcare professional can perform imaging tests to assess the extent of the injury.
- Document the incident in as much detail as possible. If you can, take photos and videos of the place where you fell and note the conditions that caused the fall.
- Notify the owners of the property where you fell. This is essential for legal purposes and something you must remember to do immediately.
- Consult with a personal injury attorney who has experience in these cases. Legal knowledge is fundamental. However, an attorney who handles these cases regularly understands the legal system and the laws surrounding slips and falls.
Healing from your injury
In many cases, an injury to the hip will require surgery to heal, and the process can be lengthy and expensive. Typically, there are several stages involved.
Pre-surgery preparation
Once your physician determines that your injury requires surgery, they will discuss the procedure with you and explain the risks and expected outcomes.
Surgical intervention
Depending on your specific injury, you may need a hip repair or replacement, which involves removing damaged bone and cartilage and replacing them with artificial components.
Recovery stage
After surgery, you will enter the recovery phase. This phase can take several weeks to months, depending on the extent of your surgery. Typically, some form of physical therapy is used during this stage.
Long-term care
After you recover from surgery, you may need to continue the rehabilitation process, which can involve continued physical therapy. In addition, you will most likely have many follow-up visits with your doctor to monitor your progress and ensure you are healing as you should.
A slip and fall that results in a hip injury requiring surgical intervention is not as uncommon as you might think, especially among older folks. Understanding what you must do immediately after the injury and knowing what to expect is critical to being prepared and having a smooth healing phase.
