Walking Aid Walker Injury

In a June 30, 2009 article at http://seniorjournal.com , SeniorJournal.com reports that from 2001 to 2006, an average of 129 American seniors, those ages 65 and older, were treated in emergency departments each day - a total of more than 47,000 each year - for injuries from falls that involved walkers and canes, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published in the June Jorunal of the American Geriatrics Society.  Fractures were reportedly the most common injuries for these falls among senior citizens, with one in three injuries requiring hospitalization.  According to the article, the study examined six years of emergency department medical records and found that, for older adults who had falls related to walkers or canes, most of the injuries involved walkers (87 percent).  People were seven times more likely to be injured with a walker as with a cane.  More than half of fall injuries with walkers and canes occurred at home, and, for men and women who used walkers or canes, the chances of sustaining a fall increased with age, with the highest injury rates among those ages 85 and older. 

The CDC study’s lead author commented in the article that walking aids are very important in helping older adults maintain mobility, but it’s important to make sure older adults use the mobility devices safely since falls can have very serious health consequences.  As stated in the article, the CDC study points out the importance of preventing falls related to walking aids.  Some prevention suggestions include encouraging professionals to spend more time with clients or patients fitting walking aids and educating people on how to use walkers and canes safely.  In addition, the article reports that more studies are needed to identify potential design problems and improve the design of walkers.

See, http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Aging/2009/20090630-InjuriesRelatedToWalking.htm