Spring is almost here…watch out for ‘falls’ during spring outdoor activities such as cycling and kick-scooting
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Gangnam St. Peter's Hospital 26-03-02 15:26Main content
One careless moment risks anything from sprains and fractures to serious brain injury
It is easy to think of a ‘fall’ as an accident that mainly happens to older people on snowy or icy roads in winter. In fact, however, falls occur quite often in younger age groups as well.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's 2024 ‘in-depth survey of emergency room injury patients’, 24.3% of patients who came to a hospital emergency room after a fall were in their 30s to 50s. Outdoor activity increases in spring in particular, and falls among younger people are not uncommon.
Director Yang, Kyu Hyun (orthopedics specialist) of the Fracture & Trauma Center at St. Peter's Hospital said, “In March, as the weather warms, we see more fall patients injured during outdoor activities such as outings, travel, exercise and walks.” He added, “Outdoors, people should always keep in mind that, regardless of age, even a small lapse in attention can lead to a fall and injury.”
Falls risk sprains, fractures and traumatic brain injury
People tend to think of a fall as no more than a minor graze. Depending on the circumstances, however, it can cause a far more serious injury. Falls while riding a bicycle or kickboard call for particular care, as sudden deceleration can greatly increase the impact.
Falls on the road are the most common of all falls outside the home. The main causes are tripping over obstacles, structures or steps, or losing one's footing. The risk of injury is also relatively high because of the speed of movement and the hard road surface.
The greatest concerns here are traumatic brain injury and fractures of the arms and legs from the impact of the fall. Fall patients who come to the emergency room with arm injuries account for about 22%, the second highest share after head injuries. The upper limb, from the wrist to the arm, is the second most commonly injured area after the head in falls on the road. Wrist fractures often occur when people instinctively put out a hand to break the fall.
The ankles and knees are also prone to injury or damage from sudden twisting. Sprains — what people usually describe as ‘twisting’ a joint — occur frequently at these sites: the ankle buckles while a person is trying to regain balance, straining the joint and ligaments. When pain is relatively mild or swelling is not severe, it is easy to dismiss, but leaving a grade 2 or higher sprain with a torn ligament untreated can lead to chronic joint instability.
Put ‘safety’ first outdoors… protective gear is essential, and never walk while using your phone
Putting ‘safety first’ is what matters most in preventing falls during outdoor activity. Always wear a helmet and joint protectors when riding a bicycle, kickboard or the like. Such gear cushions the impact of a fall and greatly reduces the risk of serious injury.
The same goes for ‘running’, which is popular at the moment. When running, wear appropriate shoes that safely support the structure of the foot, watch the surrounding terrain and the ground underfoot, and take care not to push yourself too hard.
Even when walking to and from work or heading out, it is best to refrain from careless behavior such as walking while looking at a smartphone. Unlike winter, when ice makes roads slippery, spring road surfaces feel relatively stable and it is easy to let your guard down. Yet accidents such as catching a foot on a small structure or missing a step happen just as frequently. If you tend to be inattentive or to fall often, it helps to moderate your walking pace and to develop the habit of checking structures such as stair edges and curbs as you go.
Director Yang, Kyu Hyun (orthopedics) of the Fracture & Trauma Center at St. Peter's Hospital said, “After a fracture from a fall, forcing the area back into place or enduring the pain and carrying on greatly increases the risk that symptoms will worsen.” He added, “If the pain is severe or the area swells rapidly, or if there is bleeding with sharp pain recurring on every movement, you should get to a hospital as quickly as possible and be diagnosed by a specialist.”
Source: Korea Health Log (https://www.koreahealthlog.com)
It is easy to think of a ‘fall’ as an accident that mainly happens to older people on snowy or icy roads in winter. In fact, however, falls occur quite often in younger age groups as well.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's 2024 ‘in-depth survey of emergency room injury patients’, 24.3% of patients who came to a hospital emergency room after a fall were in their 30s to 50s. Outdoor activity increases in spring in particular, and falls among younger people are not uncommon.
Director Yang, Kyu Hyun (orthopedics specialist) of the Fracture & Trauma Center at St. Peter's Hospital said, “In March, as the weather warms, we see more fall patients injured during outdoor activities such as outings, travel, exercise and walks.” He added, “Outdoors, people should always keep in mind that, regardless of age, even a small lapse in attention can lead to a fall and injury.”
Falls risk sprains, fractures and traumatic brain injury
People tend to think of a fall as no more than a minor graze. Depending on the circumstances, however, it can cause a far more serious injury. Falls while riding a bicycle or kickboard call for particular care, as sudden deceleration can greatly increase the impact.
Falls on the road are the most common of all falls outside the home. The main causes are tripping over obstacles, structures or steps, or losing one's footing. The risk of injury is also relatively high because of the speed of movement and the hard road surface.
The greatest concerns here are traumatic brain injury and fractures of the arms and legs from the impact of the fall. Fall patients who come to the emergency room with arm injuries account for about 22%, the second highest share after head injuries. The upper limb, from the wrist to the arm, is the second most commonly injured area after the head in falls on the road. Wrist fractures often occur when people instinctively put out a hand to break the fall.
The ankles and knees are also prone to injury or damage from sudden twisting. Sprains — what people usually describe as ‘twisting’ a joint — occur frequently at these sites: the ankle buckles while a person is trying to regain balance, straining the joint and ligaments. When pain is relatively mild or swelling is not severe, it is easy to dismiss, but leaving a grade 2 or higher sprain with a torn ligament untreated can lead to chronic joint instability.
Put ‘safety’ first outdoors… protective gear is essential, and never walk while using your phone
Putting ‘safety first’ is what matters most in preventing falls during outdoor activity. Always wear a helmet and joint protectors when riding a bicycle, kickboard or the like. Such gear cushions the impact of a fall and greatly reduces the risk of serious injury.
The same goes for ‘running’, which is popular at the moment. When running, wear appropriate shoes that safely support the structure of the foot, watch the surrounding terrain and the ground underfoot, and take care not to push yourself too hard.
Even when walking to and from work or heading out, it is best to refrain from careless behavior such as walking while looking at a smartphone. Unlike winter, when ice makes roads slippery, spring road surfaces feel relatively stable and it is easy to let your guard down. Yet accidents such as catching a foot on a small structure or missing a step happen just as frequently. If you tend to be inattentive or to fall often, it helps to moderate your walking pace and to develop the habit of checking structures such as stair edges and curbs as you go.
Director Yang, Kyu Hyun (orthopedics) of the Fracture & Trauma Center at St. Peter's Hospital said, “After a fracture from a fall, forcing the area back into place or enduring the pain and carrying on greatly increases the risk that symptoms will worsen.” He added, “If the pain is severe or the area swells rapidly, or if there is bleeding with sharp pain recurring on every movement, you should get to a hospital as quickly as possible and be diagnosed by a specialist.”
Source: Korea Health Log (https://www.koreahealthlog.com)