If you have ever lost your footing and fallen in a public place, you know just how embarrassing a slip-and-fall accident can be. Many of these accidents, of course, injure more than just a person’s ego. Indeed, slipping, tripping and falling can cause broken bones, nerve damage and other catastrophic injuries.
After slipping and falling, it is important to visit the emergency room. After all, doctors have many different tools to diagnose and treat your injuries. Regrettably, even with comprehensive and competent treatment, you may have to deal with future complications.
Post-traumatic arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis is one of the more common long-term consequences of a slip-and-fall accident. According to the Cleveland Clinic, post-traumatic arthritis causes discomfort and stiffness to parts of your body that have healed after an injury. While the condition most frequently affects joints, like ankles and hips, it can occur anywhere.
Life limitations
If you have post-traumatic arthritis, you might have to deal with considerable limitations in your everyday life. Indeed, because the condition often comes with mobility challenges, you might struggle to walk, run, play sports and enjoy active hobbies. Even if you do not have mobility difficulties, the pain that typically accompanies post-traumatic arthritis can be unbearable.
Treatment options
While there is no cure for post-traumatic arthritis, low-impact exercise and physical rehabilitation can be beneficial. It also may be helpful to wear a brace, provided your doctor gives you the go-ahead to do so. Likewise, pain medication can probably alleviate some of your discomforts.
Ultimately, though, because post-traumatic arthritis is likely to be with you for the rest of your life, it makes sense to secure financial compensation for the full extent of your slip-and-fall injuries.