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単語数: 730語

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作成日: 2023/01/13 10:09

更新日: 2025/12/09 09:06

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The Right Way to Recover From a Fall
Kevin Loria
These moves can help you heal faster

By Kevin Loria

A fall may be minor, leading only to a bit of bruising. But some can cause traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, even death. In fact, falls are a leading cause of death for adults over 65, and each year 3 million older people are treated in emergency rooms because they’ve had a serious fall.

If you’re injured in a fall, following a recovery plan can help you heal.

When to Seek Care After a Fall
One-fifth of falls cause significant injuries, but even a small tumble may signify that something is amiss. “Falls can be predictive of functional decline as well as future injuries,” says Lisa Caruso, MD, director of quality and patient safety in the department of medicine at Boston Medical Center. That’s one reason it’s wise to let your doctor know about any fall, Caruso says, as well as any “unintentional change in position from a higher level to a lower level,” such as slipping out of a chair or rolling out of bed.

Tell your doctor even if you don’t think you’re hurt, says Mary Campagnolo, MD, a family physician in Bordentown, N.J., and a member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Some injuries are not immediately apparent. Also, your doctor may be able to help identify (and deal with) the cause of your fall, whether it’s a health issue such as a vision problem, a drug sideeffect, or factors at home, like throw rugs that pose tripping hazards.

Call your doctor immediately if you are in any pain from a fall. If you have trouble moving—which could indicate a fracture—or you hit your head, seek emergency care, says Janna Friedly, MD, a professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. (Loss of consciousness and/or confusion, lightheadedness, headaches, and dizziness are all signs of potential head trauma.)

How Recovery Works
Whether you were seriously injured or not hurt, your doctor is likely to set you up with physical therapy afterward, Caruso says. (If you broke a bone, your doctor may also recommend a scan to check the health of your bones.) PT can help you recover if you were hurt and, if you weren’t injured, can reduce the risk of future falls. “The only intervention that has been shown to have any evidence in preventing falls is activity in a supervised setting,” she says.

More serious injuries may call for a long recovery process. For instance, falls are a common cause of traumatic brain injury in older adults, and it can take weeks, months, or sometimes more than a year to heal. PT, sufficient sleep, and good nutrition and hydration all help.

For a hip fracture—more than 300,000 adults are hospitalized for these each year in the U.S.—surgery may be required. The procedure could be followed by a hospital stay of at least a few days and then weeks in a physical rehabilitation facility.

Medicare typically covers inpatient rehabilitation for about three weeks, Campagnolo says. But many people need PT and require help with daily activities for longer. In fact, for various fall-related injuries, PT can take months or more than a year. Some people also need occupational therapy to get back to their regular activities, or speech therapy after a serious brain injury, Campagnolo says.

For anyone, the mobility losses and slow progress can be frustrating. “Try to have patience,” Caruso says.

Facing the Fear
For some people, overcoming the worry about another fall can be quite a challenge. PT can help you regain physical confidence, Campagnolo says. Also, those who don’t build their activity levels back up are more likely to fall again—and more likely to experience a more serious injury the next time around.

An assistive device like a cane or a walker can also help you feel steadier, she says. And once you feel ready for a post-PT workout, and your doctor gives the okay, you’ll want to try exercises that help build strength, balance, and flexibility, experts say. You can look for tai chi, gentle yoga, or Enhanced Fitness classes—a program of group exercise found at YMCA clubs that aims to reduce fall risks.

Editor’s Note: A version of this article also appeared in the February 2023 issue of Consumer Reports On Health.

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