Fall-related injuries send hundreds of thousands of people to the emergency room or similar healthcare facilities every year. If you or someone you know is facing mobility issues or is getting older and has become at risk for a fall, working with a physical therapist can significantly reduce their risk of a potentially deadly fall. However, physical therapy is also incredibly important for someone who has already suffered a debilitating fall.
A recent study conducted by The Moran Company for the Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation uncovered three key ways that patients stand to benefit from physical therapy services after a debilitating fall. In today’s blog, we explore the three main reasons patients should strongly consider physical therapy after suffering a fall-related injury.
The Benefits Of PT After A Fall
For the study, researchers examined data from Medicare patients with musculoskeletal conditions like osteoporosis, hip or pelvis fractures, Parkinson’s disease or other mobility impairments. Researchers then tracked results from patients who underwent physical therapy after a fall compared to patients who did not seek out PT. They uncovered that patients who underwent PT saw three crucial benefits by the end of the study:
- Massive Reduction In Future Fall-Related ED Visit – Researchers found that patients who sought out PT after a fall were half as likely to suffer another fall-related injury that required admission to an emergency department than those who did not pursue physical therapy.
- Decreased Opioid Use – The report also found that patients who worked with a physical therapist after a fall were 39 percent less likely to use opioids during their recovery than those who did not seek out PT.
- Massive Cost Savings – Perhaps the most eye-opening statistic from the study was in terms of cost savings by the patients who pursued PT after a fall. Researchers estimated a total healthcare savings of between $61,400 to $91,900 per 100 additional fall-prone beneficiaries based on reduced use of hospital services in patients who chose PT after a fall compared to those who didn’t. On an individual level, that means that pursuing physical therapy after a fall is estimated to save you between $614 and $919 compared to someone who did not pursue physical therapy and perhaps suffered another significant fall.
These findings are incredibly important when you consider that falls are the leading cause of injury and death among individuals over the age of 65 in the United States, and that a fall at this age doubles your chances of suffering another fall. Falls should be taken seriously, and this report suggests that the best way to do that is by connecting with a physical therapist. Not only can it greatly reduce your risk of another fall, but PT can actually help keep money in your pocket. It’s a win-win!
If you’d like help before or after a fall, or if you simply want to improve your balance and mobility, connect with the team at OrthoRehab Specialists. For more information, contact our team today at (612) 339-2041.
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
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