Study shows 47,000 seniors treated for falls due to walkers and canes each year

July 1, 4:21 PMUS Headlines ExaminerCharisse Van Horn

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A new study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that more than 47,000 American seniors are treated in emergency rooms for injuries that occur due to falls involving canes and walkers. The study documented emergency room visits from 2001 until 2006 and will be published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

The study revealed that an average of 129 seniors, age 65 and older are treated in emergency rooms every day for injuries from falls due to walkers and canes. More injuries were associated with walker use than with canes. People who used walkers were seven times more likely to be injured due to using walkers than canes. Older women accounted for 78 percent of the walker injuries and 66 percent of the injuries involving canes.

Though walkers and canes are an important aspect of providing older adults with the mobility they need, if they aren’t used properly, they can result in serious injuries, such as fractures or broken bones. Other findings from the study showed that the chances for becoming injured due to a walker or cane increased with age. The highest age group to suffer injuries was age 85 and older. The majority of the injuries sustained were bone fractures and 1/3 of the injuries were to the hip, pelvis, or lower area of the body. Fractures occurred in 38 percent of the injuries associated with walkers, and in 40 percent of the accidents involving canes.

Sixty percent of the injuries that occurred due to walker use and 56 percent of the injuries sustained due to cane use occurred at the victim’s home. Out of those whose fall involved a walker, one out of three required hospitalization. The percentage of hospitalization was 28% for those injured due to cane use.

The study draws attention to the fact that seniors must use walkers and canes in safe manners to prevent injuries. Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths in those older than 65 years old. Health care providers must take the time to ensure that patients are instructed on the best use for walkers and canes. Some recommended methods for prevent falls include gentle exercises that help improve balance and strength, ensuring that vision is tested and corrective lenses are prescribed, increasing lighting options in the home, and removing hazards or other objects that might lead to falls. You may view the brief report of the study here:

Walkers and cane mishaps in older Americans