Many people sustain hip injuries in slip and fall accidents, especially if they fall and land on their side. These injuries can lead to serious complications if they are left untreated, which is why it’s important to understand how to recover from a hip injury after a slip and fall accident. Here’s what you should know:
Common Slip and Fall Hip Injuries
You can sustain a number of different types of hip injuries in a slip and fall accident, including:
- Dislocation
- Partial or complete fracture
- Bursitis
- Sprains or tears in the soft tissue surrounding the hip
Anyone can sustain one of these injuries in a slip and fall, but elderly adults are at the greatest risk. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that three million older adults visit hospital emergency rooms every year as a result of fall injuries. More than 300,000 of these adults are admitted to the hospital and treated for hip fractures. Based on these statistics, it’s clear that hip injuries sustained in falls are a major problem among older adults.
How to Treat Hip Injuries After A Slip and Fall Accident
Treatment will vary depending on the type of hip injury. Minor hip injuries such as sprains or strains will usually heal on their own over time. If you suffer this type of injury, your doctor may recommend taking anti-inflammatories, getting plenty of rest, and icing the affected area to speed up your recovery.
If your hip is dislocated, a doctor may manually move the head of the femur back into the proper position. This will correct the dislocation, but painful symptoms can continue for weeks following treatment. You may need to use crutches to get around and go to physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the affected hip.
Most slip and fall victims who sustain a hip fracture will need surgical treatment. If you sustain this type of injury, your doctor may decide that it’s best to replace the affected hip if the bones are badly damaged. If not, the doctor may decide to insert metal screws into the bone to hold it in place while the fracture heals. Either way, you will need to go to physical therapy following the surgery to improve your range-of-motion and strengthen the muscles around your hip.
It can take more than six weeks to fully recover from a hip fracture. During this time, many people find it hard to bath, dress themselves, or use the bathroom on their own, which makes it impossible to live independently.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
It’s important to follow your doctor’s orders after sustaining a hip injury. Doctors know the best way to treat these injuries, so taking their advice can help you get back on your feet as quickly as possible. If you fail to follow these orders, you could suffer serious complications that could affect your mobility and everyday life.
Have you sustained a hip injury in a slip and fall accident? If so, seek legal representation from personal injury attorney Martin Gasparian at once. It can cost tens of thousands of dollars to treat a hip injury, and you may lose even more if you are unable to work during your recovery. Let Mr. Gasparian aggressively fight to ensure you are fully compensated for these expenses and lost wages. Schedule a free consultation regarding your case by calling 559-203-3333 or submitting your information at MaisonLaw.com.
