5 Common Slip and Fall Injuries Requiring Orthopedic Treatment

Winter is typically slip and fall season on the Western Slope. While these accidents can occur any time of year due to a variety of causes, our doctors tend to see a spike in patients with slip and fall injuries throughout the winter, as the snowy and icy walkways create prime conditions for these types of accidents.

The good news is that in most instances, slip and fall injuries are relatively minor. You may bruise your bones and be sore for a few days, but then get back to your regular life without too much disruption. However, there are situations when slip and fall accidents result in serious orthopedic injuries that require medical treatment. The following overview will help you understand the most common slip and fall injuries that may require treatment from an orthopedic specialist.

Fractures

Broken arms and wrists are some of the most common fractures after a slip and fall, and they generally occur when you extend your arm or hand to try and brace yourself for the fall. Falling onto an outstretched arm can also result in a broken clavicle (collarbone). Broken ankles may occur when you fall over a tripping hazard. Hip fractures are the most common slip and fall injury among seniors, and they typically occur when you fall sideways, landing on your hip.

Fractures typically require orthopedic treatment. In most instances, these injuries can be treated by immobilizing the broken bone with a cast or a splint. In cases of severe fractures, surgery may be required. Hip replacement surgery may be needed in some instances involving a fractured hip.

Soft Tissue Injuries

During a slip and fall accident, your body may stretch or twist in unnatural ways as you try to break the fall. Your muscles may also tense up as you prepare for impact. This can cause a variety of soft tissue injuries, including:

• Sprained ankles or wrists
• Torn ligaments
• Tendon strains
• Pulled muscles

Minor soft tissue injuries may potentially heal on their own with the RICE method (rest, ice, compression and elevation). Moderate soft tissue injuries may require physical therapy to facilitate healing. In cases of serious injuries, such as a torn ligament, orthopedic surgery may be required.

Knee Injuries

There are a variety of knee injuries that can potentially occur after a slip and fall accident. Some of the most common include:

• Torn ACL or MCL – If your knee twists or contorts during the fall, it can cause one of the ligaments in the joint to tear. Knee surgery is typically required to repair a torn ACL or MCL.
• Torn Meniscus – The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that provides cushioning for your knee joint. This cartilage can tear during a slip and fall accident, resulting in pain, swelling and your knee locking when you try to move it. Physical therapy may be sufficient to repair a torn meniscus, but severe tears may require surgery.
• Fractured Patellar – If you land directly on your knee, you may fracture the kneecap (patella). Depending on the severity of the fracture, surgery may be required.
• Knee Sprains – If the ligaments in your knee are stretched but don’t tear, you may only suffer a sprain. These injuries are less severe than torn ligaments and usually don’t require surgery.

Shoulder Injuries

The following shoulder injuries can occur after a slip and fall accident:

• Dislocated Shoulder – If your arm is outstretched while falling, it can result in a dislocation of the shoulder joint. This injury can be quite painful and impact your ability to move your arm. Orthopedic treatment is generally needed to restore the shoulder joint to its proper position.
• Rotator Cuff Injuries – The rotator cuff includes several muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder that help keep the joint stable. After a slip and fall accident, you may experience strains or tears of these muscles and tendons, requiring orthopedic treatment.
• Shoulder Bursitis – The bursa is a fluid-filled sac that minimizes friction when the shoulder joint moves. Trauma to the shoulder from a fall can irritate the bursa, resulting in pain and swelling. This injury can generally be treated with rest and physical therapy.

Spine Injuries

If you land on your back after a slip and fall accident, your spine will receive the majority of the impact from the fall. This can result in back pain, neck injuries or spinal cord injuries. Common spine issues associated with a slip and fall include:

• Nerve damage
• Slipped disc
• Chipped vertebra

In severe cases, you may develop permanent damage to the spinal cord that may even cause partial or full paralysis.

The treatment required will depend on the severity of the spine injury. Minor injuries may heal on their own with rest, while moderate spine injuries may require physical therapy, spine injections or some other nonsurgical orthopedic treatments. In cases of severe injuries, spine surgery may be required.

Colorado Advanced Orthopedics Can Help Restore a Pain Free Life

If you’ve suffered an orthopedic injury during a slip and fall accident, it’s important to seek medical attention quickly to ensure you receive the proper treatment. At Colorado Advanced Orthopedics, we regularly treat a wide range of orthopedic slip and fall injuries, and we can help you restore a pain free life.

Our team includes some of the finest board-certified, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons on the Western Slope. Our doctors possess a wide range of specializations, ensuring we have the background to address just about any orthopedic injury you may have. In addition, we use the latest and most advanced technology to ensure the highest levels of precision and the best possible outcomes for your treatment.

At Colorado Advanced Orthopedics, we’ve been raising the bar for orthopedic treatment along the Western Slope since our clinic opened in 2020. Our team has been recognized on numerous occasions for our exceptional levels of patient care, including being listed as one of the Top 100 Hospitals for Joint Replacement in 2025 by Healthgrades, the premier online resource for comprehensive information about doctors and hospitals.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Colorado Advanced Orthopedics serves patients in Meeker, the White River Valley and throughout the Western Slope.