Welcome to Pain Management Institute

To make an appointment for any of our locations, please call
  815.412.6166

All Posts Tagged: slip and fall injuries

SLIP-AND-FALL-ACCIDENTS-MIGHT-RESULTS-IN-SERIOUS-INJURIES

SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS MIGHT RESULTS IN SERIOUS INJURIES

A slip and fall injury is a premises liability claim, a type of personal injury claim or case based on a person slipping on the premises of another and, as a result, suffering injury. Slip and fall injury is also known as a trip and fall.

Causes of slip and fall injury:

You may slip while walking or you maybe fall due to floor conditions or due to many other reasons. Most common reasons of slip and fall injury can be;

  • Wet or uneven surfaces
  • Bright light reflecting on a shiny floor that causes glare
  • Poor lighting that makes it difficult to see obstacles
  • Weather conditions
  • Ladders and stairs
  • Some occupations which includes workers in the construction industry, housekeepers and other custodial staff, chefs and other kitchen workers, manual laborers and factory workers
  • Transition from one type of surface to another such as from wood to carpet or carpet to wood

Common slip and fall injuries:

Common slip and fall injuries include the following list;

  • Broken bones
  • Sprained ankles or wrists
  • Knee damage
  • Shoulder dislocations or muscle strains
  • Spine and nerve damage
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Cuts and bruises

Broken bones:

The older you are, the more likely you are to break your bones after slip and fall accident. In slip and fall incidents, hip, wrist, and ankle fractures are some of the most common types of broken bones.

Sprained ankles or wrists:

You might make an unusual or uneven step and fall. You may receive a sprain or a strain if ligaments in your wrist or ankles tear during a fall. This type of slip and fall injury can interfere with your life.

Knee damage:

You may twist your knee while falling and it can results into knee damage.  Knee damage can take time to heal as knee is a sensitive and most useable joint of body.

Shoulder dislocation and muscle strain:

Shoulder dislocation can also call as slip and fall injury because you might hit your shoulder as you fall. Shoulder dislocations and strains may require immediate surgery.

Spine and nerve damage:

Nerve damage can result from direct trauma, from stretching or from cuts in slip and fall as nerve and spine are fragile.

Traumatic brain injury:

A traumatic brain injury is serious slip and fall injury. It can be dangerous because you may not realize the severity of the injury. You can continue to have pain for months if you left traumatic brain injury untreated.

Cuts and Bruises:

Slip and fall can also cause cuts and bruises. And even if it not seems serious, you should treat it in a proper way.

Pain management institute is helping people to cure acute and chronic long term pain to resume a normal life style. PMI has provided many treatments like stem cell therapy and many others.

For more details call on 815.412.6166

Read More

Staying Informed About The Most Common Causes of Slip & Fall Injuries!

Anyone can become a victim of slip and fall injuries probably in the midst of the day, a week, at workplace or while performing some house chore. Ranging from mild to severe, these types of injuries can be quite frightening and can become worse if immediate medication and care is not taken. One can surely prevent these injuries if he/she is well aware about the causes that might have lead to such as injury. Here we are exploring the most common causes that usually become the reason of the mishaps

The Most Common Causes

Wet & Uneven Surfaces

This cause is said to be as the most common one due to which most of the slips and fall injuries happen. It is true that the uneven surfaces make the domestic, commercial, industrial and public places very difficult areas for anyone to cross. Just imagine, in single day only several individuals pass from the public places and if they find uneven surfaces then in no time they are struck by acute injuries. The situations that make up for a problematic walking area include:

  • Cluttered floors
  • Defective sidewalks
  • Loose floorboards
  • Loose mats
  • Areas that have water spilled
  • Parking lot potholes
  • Staircases that are poorly constructed
  • Recently waxed or mopped floors
  • Torn carpeting

In order to prevent the aforementioned conditions, good housekeeping is required as well as frequent checkups to ensure that the area is safe for anyone to cross.

Footwear

According to a research it has been found that 24 percent of the slip and fall injury cases occur because of improper footwear. It doesn’t matter whether a person is habitual of wearing heels or sneakers. The mishaps can occur any way. But the thing that must be cared about is to see if the shoes you are wearing offer the right type of traction or not. If it doesn’t then you are indeed at a risk of suffering from an injury.

Weather

It is true that the weather conditions are not in the hands of any individual. However, people who are responsible, such as the property owners and municipalities must take charge at the right time to clear the sidewalks and steps, plow streets, shpvel the sidewalks etc.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from any slip or fall injury or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

Read More

Preventive Measures for Slip & Fall Injury Cases!!

It is common with most of us that while walking and engrossed in some deep thoughts we stumble or in other case we do not look over the stuff that is kept in the pathway and then encounter an injury being unable to control ourselves from falling.  According to an approximate, there are almost 15 percent of the accidental deaths, reason being the slips, trips and falls.

The most common causes either at the workplace or in any other area leading to slip and fall injury include:

Situations Leading to Slip & Fall Injuries

  • Wet or greasy floors
  • Spilled liquid or other stuff on the floor
  • Loose floor tiles or bricks
  • Due to weather conditions such as ice, snow, rain etc
  • Damaged ladders
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Not so good staircase conditions
  • Loose mat or carpets
  • Excessive use of soap or polish on the floor
  • Uneven walking surfaces
  • Floors that are too much dry or have powder or dust on it

Here Are the Measures!!

In order to protect oneself from severe accidents, one must follow the below mentioned measures that will them prevent the injuries:

Environmental Conditions

Irrespective of the steps that are being taken in the winters such as removing the ice or snow from sidewalks, parking lots people still encounter slip and fall injuries. To stop this people should

  • Dry off their shoes when entering a building
  • Make sure that you walk slow in order to keep an eye on any uneven surface

Proper Housekeeping

Proper housekeeping practices including, frequent clean ups, spills or wet area signs, clearing up the debris on the floor etc should be followed to save yourself from any unwanted injury.

Adequate Lighting

If on regular basis you have to walk from the areas that have poor lighting then you are increasing for yourself the risk of getting injured severely. Instead of this, try to lit the areas, clean them properly to minimize the risks of any slip and fall injury cases.

Footwear

Keeping in consideration the weather condition and the accidents that can happen make sure that you wear proper footwear for traction on the slippery surfaces. Adding to this, you can also opt for the slip resistant shoes that will give you good control while walking.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from some slip and fall injury, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

Read More

Top Tips to Prevent Slip & Fall Injuries!

The major cause behind general workplace accidents is considered to be various slip and fall injury cases that happen there, leading to minor bruises and severe injuries ranging from broken bones, sprains, head injuries and lacerations. Caring for your employers is the most important thing that helps in showing not only the betterment in their performance but also the progress towards success.

In order to reduce the hazards that can lead to severe slip and fall injury cases, we have elaborated here certain quick tips that if followed by the management team of a company can increase the confidence of the employees to work with easiness and confidence.

Lighting

If there are areas in your office, that are dark and have certain equipments and things kept there then there are chances that the people walking through that way can get injured severely and have to take a day or two off from work. So, in order to prevent any severe slip and fall injury make sure that your workplace including each and every room is illuminated with proper lighting.

Footwear

You must make sure that your employees are wearing proper footwear, as this would be a safe preventive measure for protecting your workers.

Signage

If it’s a big building where you have with you all your workers, then you must take utmost care about any signs that should be kept in order to indicate that a certain room is being constructed or if some broken pieces or debris is lying down. By this, the employees would know from where to walk and become careful thereby preventing themselves from slip and fall injuries.

Step Stools

In case you have climbing areas present, then you must take care that there are proper ladders and accessible stools present so that the employees would not have to get stressed while reaching at heights. By giving your employees these supports you will be able to give them the proper ways of protection from any slip and fall injury treatment cases.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from some any slip and fall injury or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

Read More

Drive Safely – Safety Should be Your First Priority!!

A car accident is something everyone fears to even get a glimpse of it. But as it is said that bad time doesn’t come before cautioning the person that something not good is about to happen. Therefore, whether it is about a slip and fall injury, or some other accident prevention measures are essential in order to secure yourself from unwanted casualties.

Undoubtedly, people do their best while driving, preventing themselves and in avoiding to enter in any kind of accident. But sometimes the situation is different, perhaps missing any danger sign, not so focused while driving leads the drivers in severe auto injuries.

Let’s explore the preventive measures that must be adopted while driving:

Eyes should be fixed on the Road

While checking the rear and side view cameras, people while driving must stay very much focused. They must take a lot care that they do not get distracted while driving. Moreover, you must also avoid multitasking; doing some other work while driving such as applying make-up, reading newspapers, changing CDs etc. when you will have divided attention while driving, this can result in unexpected accident injuring you badly.

Cell Phones Must Be Avoided

Use of cell phones while driving should be avoided as frequently looking into the cell phone can disturb your focus and can lead you to an injury. So, make sure that your phone is either switched off or if it rings then also you must not let yourself get distracted.

Refrain From Drinking while Driving

You may get struck by a serious auto injury if you are in the state of being drunk. This happens because drinking can impair your judgment and eventually you will lose the ability to stay focused while driving.

Construction areas should be avoided

Areas that are confusing, have a lot of debris laid there, can be very dangerous and can even lead to tire blowouts. It is advisable that you take the alternate route and minimize the risk of an unexpected accident.

Strictly Follow the Traffic Rules

Rules are present just to warn us and protect us from any unexpected calamity. Hence, one should stay aware of them and follow them even if it a sign or just a light. Knowing that there is a warning sign present you will slow down your car and eventually protect yourself from any severe injury.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from any Joint pain or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

Read More

Tips To Prevent & Treat Slip and Fall Injuries

Slips and falls result in a significant number of injuries in United States every year, with flooring surface being a major cause amongst many of those incidents. Such sort of injuries can occur in any location and can lead to a damaged or broken wrist, hip or ankle. Most of the victims brush themselves off and carry on with their day, but no matter how major or minor, a slip and fall injury can significantly affect our bodies and ultimately our health. Consequently, it is really important to get immediate consultation and get done with proper diagnosis to avoid any sort of long term chronic medical conditions. In the following paragraphs I have briefed techniques to prevent and treat a slip and fall injury:

 

Ways to Prevent Slips and Falls

Outlined below are few things you can do to avoid indoor injuries:

  • Avoid throw rugs
  • Wear appropriate footwear
  • Install grip handles in showers and corridors

Follow mentioned below tips to prevent outdoor injuries:

  • Avoid going outside in extreme weather and when it is icy
  • Wear suitable footwear as per weather situation
  • Salt walkways

Treat Injuries

Slip and fall accidents often result in following common injuries:

  • Sprains happen when the ligaments are excessively stretched beyond their capability or just broken. Splinting and bracing are often the most commonly suggested treatments for this sort of slip and fall injury.
  • Contusions happen when a body part experiences a direct blow from a slip or fall resulting in damage and severe crush of the underlying connective tissues and muscle fibers without breaking the skin. Most of the contusions can effectively be treated with early diagnosis, application of ice packs, taking some daily rest, and getting some compression and elevation.
  • Fractures (also referred as cracks or breaks) occur when the injured bone can’t withstand outside pressure. Remedy depends upon the pattern of the fracture; however, it may require surgery.

 

Conclusion

At some point in our life, slips and falls occur to everyone. In case you or any of your loved one has recently suffered from any slip and fall injury, get an expert treatment and effective diagnosis by from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212. He is a certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain injection therapies for the past several years with successful results. We will respond your queries within 24 hours.

Read More

Kill Your Arm Pain with These 5 Natural Ways

Pain in the arm is something common that often results from an injury, joint fracture, inflammation, or slip and fall. It is often managed by taking rest and non-inflammatory pain-killer medication. Exercising under supervision of your physician is a great way to manage and get relief from various body aches including arm pain. However, consultation from your doctor is primary to avoid any sort of hidden consequences of your arm pain. In the following paragraphs I have outlined 5 effective natural remedies to get relief from arm aches:

 

Exercise: Doing some daily regular exercises such as walking and jogging not only relaxes body muscles but also strengthen the joints and muscles. Swimming is not only a powerful exercise for your arms but also a joyful arm pain treatment.

 

Just Breath: It could be stress causing shallow breathing and tightening arm muscles leading to pain in person’s arm. By improving breathing and doing some relaxation techniques would alleviate tense muscles and release arm pain.

 

Get Massage Therapy: Various studies have shown that massage therapy is an effective arm pain treatment. Today many people get regular massage therapy daily, weekly or monthly based on their preferences, health, and costs.

 

Stretch Yourself: If your arm is aching from overuse, some gentle stretching would help alleviate the tightness in those muscles to mitigate the pain. Give yourself some time to relax while you are working at your office. Give your arms 5 rotations clockwise and 5 anticlockwise every 2 hours at your workplace.

 

Improve Your Diet: Consume wholesome foods that are enriched with necessary factors and vitamins necessary for your body muscles and joints. Fruits and vegetables enriched with protein and calcium, such as eggs, milk, yogurt, fish and seafood, soya, and pistachio are great ingredients for your arm pain treatment.

Conclusion

In short whenever you feel an arm pain, deeply breath, improve your diet, do some exercise, get some massage, and stretch yourself to relax your arm muscles and mitigate the aches. However, it is recommended to see your doctor to avoid any chronic consequences. In case you or any of your loved one is seeking an arm pain treatment, seek expert advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at 815-464-7212. He is a Pain Management Specialist and certified Anesthesiologist who has been practicing pain relief treatments for the past several years with 100% successful results. We will contact you within 24 hours.

Read More

Safety First!! – Here is How You Can Prevent Slip & Fall Injuries

Wandering in our thoughts here and there, or doing a task while thinking of something else very keenly, we meet the so called mini accidents on our way; leading to none other than the slip and fall injuries also known as the trips. This is the usual case with most of us, that we get distracted on our way and our this activity leads us to sometimes, a scary stumble, down the stairway or a trip resulting in severe injuries.

In accordance with the US Department of Labor, the majority of the cases are of slip and fall injuries.

Why Do Such Accidents Occur?

Generally, the main reason behind slip and fall injury cases is the traction that occurs between the shoe and the walking surface making a situation of any one to stumble easily. We have described some of the reasons that can lead to numerous injuries:

  • The areas that are full of clutter
  • Walking from the damaged ladder steps
  • Dry floors with wood dust or powder
  • Electrical cords or cables
  • Loose flooring, carpeting or mats
  • Missing or uneven floor tiles and bricks
  • Desk or file cabinet drawers that are left open
  • Floors that have been recently polished or freshly waxed
  • The shoes might become the reason, if they are wet, muddy, greasy or oily soles
  • Moving from one floor type to another
  • Uneven walking surfaces
  • Weather hazards – rain, sleet, ice, snow, hail, frost
  • Wet or greasy floors

Guidelines To Avoid Slip and Fall Injuries

Here we have elaborated, some guidelines that will help you in assuring your safety:

Effective housekeeping Practices

If your housekeeping practices are poor, then this means that your house members are at a higher risk of critical injuries.

Reducing Wet or Slippery Surfaces

Once you care for your own self, you are caring for the people of the society. So, step forward clean up the wet or slippery surfaces for your own as well as for others safety.

Avoid Creating Obstacles In Your Walkways

When you will encourage to execute the safety assurance practices, everyone will do the same, such as:

  • Removing obstacles from the work areas, walkways, passageways etc
  • Remove the stringing cords, in the hallways, or in any other areas
  • Whether at office or at home avoid leaving boxes, open drawers etc

Control Your individual Behavior

To control your own behavior and know where you are going, walking properly or not, etc will help you in avoiding the slip and fall injuries:

  • Maintain Proper Lighting

It is as simple as it is, that if proper lighting is maintained, then no one would be hit by something heavy or accidentally walk into someone else leading to an ultimate hit.

  • Wear Proper shoes

Also, you must wear proper shoes, so that if the floor is wet or it is slippery because of any other reason you will be safe from any unexpected slip or fall injury.

Read More

Winter Is Here – Follow Tips for Self Safety!!

With the arrival of winter, though there are many joyful factors associated with it, there are many chances of mishaps that can take place. With the pleasures of the dishes that are cooked, the preparations that are made, people usually forget that they can get stuck in the accidental slip and fall injuries.

Apart from the preparations that are being done at home, the workplaces should also take care of the housekeeping programs that will help eliminate the risks of slip and fall cases. Passing on the winter season safely is a big deal, as because of snow and ice everywhere there can be many chances that if the snow is not cleared from the walking and pathways many people can become the victim of severe slip and fall injuries.

Apart from enjoying every bit of the winter period in an amazing manner, safety should be a family’s top most priority that would help protect from various unpredictable accidents and problems.

The Survival Tips For Winter

Whether you are the owner of your company having in total almost two hundred employees or you are a happy family of about six members, these tips apply to everyone:

  • Make a plan this winter as how you can avoid the winter hazards, and follow that plan thoroughly so that your events do not get hindered and your family and your loved ones remain safe
  • The walkaways should be kept clear, the hazards such as water on the floors, on stairs and snow on the sidewalks should be cleared.
  • Most people get stuck by accidents unknowingly. To remain safe from such unpredictable accidents, you should try the use of temporary signs, cones, barricades that would not only serve as a reminder for your own self but also for the passers-by.
  • Such footwear should be used that has a good grip to remain stable on the surface. Moreover, try using ice cleats outdoors so that with good grip on the ground you will be able to enjoy the games in snow and ice perfectly.

 

Snow Removal Tips

Most slip and fall injury cases occur when there is no protection of snow or for ice that should be maintained.

In this regard, some protective measures that should be adopted include:

  • The use of shovel in removing the heavy loaded areas of snow
  • Sweeping off the leftover snow
  • The use of ice-melters will prevent from snow formation and an easy going path for the passers by.

Walk Safely In Winter Time

  • If outside for a purpose, then prepare to walk slowly wearing boots.
  • Watch out for black ice formation after the ice melts
  • Take while getting in and out of vehicles
  • Prevent carrying heavy items as who knows the snowy path under you is not so strong.
Read More

Is It Cold Outside? Beware Of The Winter Injuries!!

With winters, there comes a lot of excitement, the preparation of snow fall, getting ready for a change of clothes that is the warmer ones, hot favorite meals; yes the very scrumptious soups, drinks, deserts, etc. And the pleasure goes on and on!!

But in the midst of all this, no one can ignore the threatening mishaps that come with the winters such as the slip and fall injuries, the broken bones, the lacerations, the severe brain injuries and what not. These all are observed as a result of the slippery surfaces that are not usually maintained. Moreover, injuries also take place because of the indoor and outdoor areas that become wet, icy and slushy and increase the risk of various slip and fall accidents.

The best thing is to opt for the preventive measures that will help protect the residents, customers, the pedestrians as well as your beloved ones from getting into any severe injury.

The Preventive Measures

Considering the injuries that can be sustained, we have elaborated here some of the preventive measures that should be followed in order to stay safe from any slip and fall injuries:

Icemelters:

Slowly and gradually, as the weather gets colder the parking lots, sidewalks, entrances and ramps are full covered in ice and give the passers-by the fullest opportunity of becoming the victims of slip and fall injury. Hence icemelters should be used that will eventually help in traction and melting the ice, thus increasing the safety levels in outdoor areas.

Matting:

If you provide your visitors the opportunity of drying off the wet on mats, then it would be a great help in preventing the slip and fall injuries. Make sure you scrap and wipe out the ice on the mats and advise your guests and visitors to do the same.

Scrubbers:

You should make the most of the floor scrubbers that will help in clearing up the route, the road or leftover slush and hence provide maximum safety. Available in a number of sizes, floor scrubbers are designed in many sizes and are also designed with ergonomics in mind which means that your back will not hurt while wiping out the floor.

Warning Signs:

Communication plays a pivotal role in preventing injuries. For instance, if you at entrance tell your aunt whose coming at night that the specific area of the floor is wet, then it would be a signal for her to walk carefully. Besides this, you can use the floor signs to warn in a best manner about dangers. In winters when the days become shorter there are chances that in the darkness, cases can be seen of slip and fall injuries. In such a situation the best way is to lit such areas so that whoever walks, notices the warning sign and thus is safe from the about-to-happen slip and fall injury.

Dr.Zaki deals greatly and expertly in the slip and fall injury cases. You are most welcome for an efficient treatment here at the Pain Management Institute. To book an appointment you may contact at (815) 464-7212.

Read More