Fall Prevention Strategies During Your Fall Hobbies
Don’t Let Fall Fun Lead to a Fall Injury
Fall is here, and you know what that means: crisp mornings, apple orchard weekends, and the satisfying crunch of leaves underfoot. Unfortunately, the lovely fall ambience can also cause slippery porches, colder weather, and other factors that increase your chance of falling.
While many people associate fall injuries with icy winters, autumn is also a high-risk season for slips and trips, especially with all those damp leaves underfoot! Fortunately, the team at Michigan Orthopedic Center can help you develop a personalized fall prevention plan so you can enjoy your favorite autumn activities without taking a tumble.
Why Fall Risk Deserves Attention
High fall risk refers to a person’s likelihood of losing balance and sustaining an injury during everyday movement. Several factors contribute to a higher-than-normal fall risk, including core and lower body weakness, poor balance, stiff joints, or vision problems. This is especially true for older adults and anyone recovering from orthopedic surgery.
Unfortunately, even one fall can result in long-term pain, reduced mobility, and a loss of confidence in movement. Preventing a fall is far easier and safer than recovering from one.
Fall Risk in the Fall: What You Need to Know
The Seasonal Activities That Raise Your Risk
Several popular fall hobbies involve uneven surfaces or awkward movements, which can further increase fall risk, particularly in people with multiple risk factors. For example:
Raking leaves or planting bulbs
Climbing ladders to hang decorations
Hiking uneven trails or walking on damp grass
Carrying heavy pumpkins or bushels of apples
Elite Care for Key Joints: Sports Medicine Surgery with a Focus on Shoulder, Knee, and Elbow
ABOUT DR. HEISEY
Dr. Heisey is a fellowship-trained surgeon specializing in the treatment of Sports Medicine, Shoulder, Knee and Elbow conditions. Dr. Heisey believes that her caring bedside manner and approachable personality provide the opportunity to develop a special rapport with her patients. Consistent, clear communication and education are the key components that allow her to build lasting relationships with patients and their loved ones. This approach allows for informed and shared decision making to achieve customized solutions and a more satisfactory healing process.
Dr. Heisey is active in clinical research and is the team physician for Lansing Community College. She is involved in teaching in the Michigan State University/McLaren Greater Lansing orthopedic surgery residency program.
What Fall Prevention Looks Like at Michigan Orthopedic Center
When it comes to fall prevention, we treat each patient based on their needs, hobbies, and comfort level. Our personalized approach includes the following:
Step 1: A Comprehensive Evaluation
- Joint mobility and other movement checks
- Muscle strength and postural assessment
- Balance testing to identify stability limits
- Gait analysis to spot unsafe walking patterns
Step 2: Hands-On Training and Guided Strategies
- Stretching routines focused on mobility and pain relief
- Balance and strength exercises to stabilize knees, hips, and ankles
- Gait re-training to correct unsafe patterns like shuffling or foot drag
- Home safety education to reduce tripping hazards and improve lighting
Step 3: Additional Tools and Techniques for Full Support
- Safe training in the use of assistive devices, such as canes, walkers, and grab bars
- Shoe and flooring recommendations to improve traction and support
- Fall recovery strategies in case a fall does happen, such as controlled movement and progressive loading to help restore strength, balance, and confidence.
Savor Fall But Skip the Falls
From pumpkin patches to trick-or-treating with the grandkids, you can still enjoy your favorite fall activities. The key is to prepare your body and your environment so you can enjoy these traditions without putting yourself at risk.
If you’ve noticed any balance issues, joint stiffness, or especially if you’ve taken a recent stumble (even if you didn’t hurt yourself), now is the time to act. Contact the team at Michigan Orthopedic Center to schedule your fall risk evaluation. That way, we create your custom fall prevention program to keep you active, strong and safe all season long.
Exercise of the Month
Calf Raises
Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and your hands resting on a chair or countertop for support. Slowly rise up onto the balls of your feet, lifting your heels off the ground. Hold briefly at the top, then lower back down with control. 3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: chair or countertop for balance)
Don’t Let Your 2025 Insurance Benefits Go To Waste!
Take charge of your health today and make the most of your insurance benefits!
If you’ve already met your deductible this year or have funds left in your HSA account, you can take advantage of our remarkable opportunity at Michigan Orthopedic Center. Don’t let these valuable benefits go unused!
Recovery In Lansing, Okemos, And Mid-Michigan, MI
See How Patients Have Recovered In Lansing & Okemos
We’ve helped thousands of people in Lansing, Okemos, and the surrounding Mid-Michigan region return to the life they love. From everyday walkers to elite athletes, our patients’ stories are proof that with the right care and support, healing is possible.
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“I have never been made to feel like I am just a number.”
Dr. Meredith Heisey recently replaced my left shoulder, she has also repaired both rotator cuffs, and put my wrist back together after a fall while I out of the country. Dr. Heisey does not sugar coat the situation, she tells it like it is and I admire her for that. She and her team are…
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JANICE K GEARHART
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“It was a great experience.”
Two weeks ago today I had my right knee completely replaced by Dr. Taunt. He is simply the best. Yes I do have some swelling and stiffness but how many can say that they are at 116 degrees of flex at this stage. In regards to the staff at McLaren , everyone was professional and…
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TOM N.
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“I am grateful to be walking again!”
I am very grateful to Dr. Swords. After a traumatic fall from a ladder where I broke my knee in 3 pieces, Dr. Swords excellent work allowed me to walk in 4 months. I was able to get back to work in only four months after surgery. Today I am thankful for the magnificent care…
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M.S.L.
The Best Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
- 1 15-ounce can unseasoned pumpkin puree
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 14-ounce can low-fat sweetened condensed milk
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 prepared pie crust, preferably whole-wheat (see Note), at room temperature
Position rack in lower third of oven. Preheat to 425°F.
Place pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and salt in a medium bowl; whisk until combined. Add condensed milk and eggs; whisk until smooth. Pour into pie crust.
Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350° and bake until the filling is set and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes more. (Cover the crust edges with foil if they are browning too quickly.) Let cool completely, about 2 hours, before slicing.
