There is always a risk of injury from a fall, and some fall injuries can be severe. You may be at greater risk for a serious fall injury depending on your age and the height and direction from which you fall.
Certain injuries are more likely from falls than others. The injury you are likely to receive depends partly on the point of impact. Relias Media describes some of the most commonly occurring fall injuries.
1. Hip fracture
A hip fracture can occur if you fall and land on your side. Anyone is at risk for a hip fracture from a fall. However, your risk may be greater if you are elderly or have decreased bone density. Not only are hip fractures more common among the elderly, but they are also more likely to cause serious complications, some of which can be life-threatening.
2. Ankle sprains
If your ankle becomes twisted during the fall, it can cause a sprain of the ligaments binding the bones together by stretching or tearing them. Ankle sprains can take a long time to heal and put you at risk for long-term complications such as continued pain and chronic joint instability.
3. Distal radius fracture
There are two bones in each of your forearms, and the radius is the larger of these. When you start to fall forward, you may have the instinctual reaction to put out your hands to catch yourself. This can fracture the distal radius, i.e., the portion closest to the wrist.
Because of the reflex to catch oneself when falling, the distal radius is one of the most frequently broken bones in the body. The risk of serious complications from a distal radius fracture is less than for a hip fracture. Nevertheless, a distal radius fracture is still a painful condition requiring immediate medical attention.
