"Being young is no excuse for carelessness"… a fall alert as spring outdoor activity increases
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Gangnam St. Peter's Hospital 26-02-24 11:21Main content
Falls are readily seen as accidents of old age, but they turn out to occur quite often in younger age groups as well. In spring in particular, when outdoor activity increases, a small lapse in attention can lead to a fracture or traumatic brain injury, so particular care is needed.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's ‘2024 In-depth Survey of Emergency Department Injury Patients’, people in their 30s to 50s accounted for 24.3% of patients who came to hospital after a fall.
Yang, Kyu Hyun, orthopedics specialist and Director at the Fracture & Trauma Center of St. Peter's Hospital, said, “From March onward, as the weather warms, we tend to see more fall patients injured during outings, travel and outdoor exercise.” He stressed, “Outdoors, regardless of age, even a small lapse in attention can lead to injury.”
People tend to think of a fall as no more than a minor graze, but it not infrequently leads to serious injury such as a fracture or traumatic brain injury. Falls while riding a bicycle or kickboard carry a particularly high risk of injury, as sudden deceleration increases the impact.
Falls on the road account for the largest share of all falls outside the home. Typical causes are catching a foot on steps, curbs or other structures, or losing one's footing. The hard road surface and the speed of movement are also factors that make injuries worse.
Dr. Yang explained, “The upper limbs, especially the wrist and arm, are the second most commonly injured area after the head in falls on the road.” He added, “Wrist fractures are common when people instinctively put out a hand as they fall.”
Sprains from sudden twisting are also common in the ankles and knees. If a grade 2 or higher sprain, in which the ligament is partially or completely torn, is left untreated because the pain or swelling seems mild, it can lead to chronic joint instability.
In fact, about 25% of fall patients need to be admitted, and doctors note that surgical treatment is required in a fair number of cases even among younger people.
Experts stress that safety must come first during outdoor activity. A helmet and joint protectors are essential when riding a bicycle or kickboard. When running, too, wear shoes that support the foot securely and check the condition of the ground carefully.
The habit of looking at a smartphone while walking also raises the risk of a fall. In spring, road surfaces feel stable and it is easy to let your guard down, but accidents in which a foot catches on a small ledge or obstacle are common.
When a fall raises suspicion of a fracture or sprain, initial care following the ‘RICE’ principle is important. After Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation, see an orthopedics specialist as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis.
Director Yang, Kyu Hyun advised, “Forcing a fractured area back into place or enduring the pain and carrying on with activity can make the damage worse.” He added, “If you have severe pain, rapid swelling, bleeding, or sharp pain that recurs when you move, you should go to a hospital without delay.”
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's ‘2024 In-depth Survey of Emergency Department Injury Patients’, people in their 30s to 50s accounted for 24.3% of patients who came to hospital after a fall.
Yang, Kyu Hyun, orthopedics specialist and Director at the Fracture & Trauma Center of St. Peter's Hospital, said, “From March onward, as the weather warms, we tend to see more fall patients injured during outings, travel and outdoor exercise.” He stressed, “Outdoors, regardless of age, even a small lapse in attention can lead to injury.”
People tend to think of a fall as no more than a minor graze, but it not infrequently leads to serious injury such as a fracture or traumatic brain injury. Falls while riding a bicycle or kickboard carry a particularly high risk of injury, as sudden deceleration increases the impact.
Falls on the road account for the largest share of all falls outside the home. Typical causes are catching a foot on steps, curbs or other structures, or losing one's footing. The hard road surface and the speed of movement are also factors that make injuries worse.
Dr. Yang explained, “The upper limbs, especially the wrist and arm, are the second most commonly injured area after the head in falls on the road.” He added, “Wrist fractures are common when people instinctively put out a hand as they fall.”
Sprains from sudden twisting are also common in the ankles and knees. If a grade 2 or higher sprain, in which the ligament is partially or completely torn, is left untreated because the pain or swelling seems mild, it can lead to chronic joint instability.
In fact, about 25% of fall patients need to be admitted, and doctors note that surgical treatment is required in a fair number of cases even among younger people.
Experts stress that safety must come first during outdoor activity. A helmet and joint protectors are essential when riding a bicycle or kickboard. When running, too, wear shoes that support the foot securely and check the condition of the ground carefully.
The habit of looking at a smartphone while walking also raises the risk of a fall. In spring, road surfaces feel stable and it is easy to let your guard down, but accidents in which a foot catches on a small ledge or obstacle are common.
When a fall raises suspicion of a fracture or sprain, initial care following the ‘RICE’ principle is important. After Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation, see an orthopedics specialist as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis.
Director Yang, Kyu Hyun advised, “Forcing a fractured area back into place or enduring the pain and carrying on with activity can make the damage worse.” He added, “If you have severe pain, rapid swelling, bleeding, or sharp pain that recurs when you move, you should go to a hospital without delay.”