Tips for Reducing Your Fall Risk

A bad fall can harm your health more than you might expect. Whether you’re an athlete coming down hard in a bad position, an older person increasingly worried about fall risks, or someone of any age who can’t afford to spend weeks or months recovering from a preventable accident, you need to take active steps to reduce your chances of falling and decrease your chances of being badly hurt in a fall.

Falls can cause broken bones or fractures, painful bruising or swelling, or damage to your tendons, ligaments, or joints. Dr. Michael Blackwell treats these and other injuries at the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, located in Tomball, Kingwood, and Conroe, Texas. But, wouldn’t it be better to focus more on prevention now, and skip the hassle of recovering from a fall, slip, accident, or sports injury? Here are a few things you can do to reduce your fall risk.

Tip #1: Always use the right equipment

Your sports equipment, activewear, or outdoor gear serves an essential purpose, protecting your body as you push for performance or handle challenging terrain. So, you need to make sure you’re using the right equipment for your activities, and that your gear stays up-to-date. The wrong equipment, or worn-out gear, increases your risk of a fall or accident.

Consider the type of activity as well as the terrain you expect to be moving through. You might need more support for parts of your feet like your arches, or for your ankles. Perhaps it’s important for you to have good, trustworthy no-slip treads on your shoes, or even socks with no-slip bottoms to reduce fall risks on slippery indoor floors. If you participate in more than one sport, you should have specialized equipment for each type of activity.

Tip #2: Build up your core body strength and balance

When you start to fall, can you catch yourself? This key skill calls on your body’s core strength and your sense of balance. You can build core body strength and improve your balance with exercise and practice, especially if you’re focused on this part of your training. 

Talk to Dr. Blackwell about the exercises you should use to increase your core strength, and continue to make that a cornerstone of your activity planning. If you neglect this part of your preparation, you’re less likely to be able to avoid falls and injuries.

Tip #3: Consider the conditions

Factors like weather, time of day, and even your fatigue levels can contribute to your chance of a fall. By considering the conditions as you move through your day, you’re better able to keep from slipping or tripping.

For example, is the track slippery after a spring rain shower? Are there parts of your hiking trail with loose stones or scree? Do you have to walk back to your car after work or the gym, when you’re feeling tired and at risk of falling? Preparing for these conditions ahead of time protects you and your physical health. Wearing pads or other protective gear reduces the impact of falls in activities where tumbles are relatively common. 

With the right approach, you can avoid falls and injuries, whether you are an athlete or active adult. To discuss your risk factors, and the right activity plan for you, contact Dr. Blackwell at the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Reach out online or over the phone today to schedule your consultation appointment.