Elderly Fall Injuries And Walking Aids

The New York Times reported on June 30, 2009 that a recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society  found that 87 percent of fall injuries among the elderly involved walkers and 12 percent involved canes.  See, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/health/30fall.html .  According to the article, about 47,000 older Americans are treated in emergency rooms each year from falls associated with walkers and canes and the study suggests that there is room for improvement in the use and design of walking aids.  As reported by the New York Times, researchers examined emergency-room medical records at 66 hospitals from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2006, focusing on patients 65 and older who had been treated for 3,932 nonfatal, unintentional fall injuries in which a cane or a walker was involved.  The study found that fractures, bruises and abrasions were the most common injuries associated with the falls and that almost a third of all injuries were to the lower trunk, including the hips.  In addition, 60 percent of fall injuries associated with walkers and canes occurred at home, while 16 percent of falls involving a walker occurred at nursing homes, according to the article.   Authors of the study reportedly said that doctors might consider taking more time to show patients how to use walkers properly and that additional research could lead to design improvements for walking aids.