Take Care When Decking The Halls
Source: Gwinnettherald.com
December 06, 2007 | 11:47 AM
by Tana Suggs
With everyone getting ready for the holidays, it is important to be particularly careful when decorating the house.
Dr. Brian Morgan from the Atlanta-based Southern Orthopaedic Specialists, who have offices in Suwanee and Duluth, said in their offices see an increase in ladder-related injuries at this time of year, as many people try to do more than they or their ladder can handle.
And November is the month with the highest incidence of ladder related injuries.
According to the physicians, the most common ladder injuries are fractures of the leg or ankle followed by fractures of the upper limbs.
Morgan said that ankle and wrist injuries are most common.
“The ankle tends to get caught in the rungs of the ladder,” he said. “And with the wrist, people tend to put their arm out to brace and the wrist can’t take the force.”
Morgan said that injuries can fall anywhere on the spectrum from a mild fracture, like a buckle to an open fracture, and treatment can range from a cast to surgery.
However, there are some simple safety tips that people can follow to minimize the chance of a catastrophe.
Southern Orthopaedic Specialist suggests hiring a professional to do climbing-related chores for you.
If you experience a ladder-related injury, contact your doctor or emergency room.
Southern Orthopaedic Specialists is headquartered in Atlanta with offices in Fayetteville, Suwanee in the Wellness Performance Institute on Satellite, Atlanta, in Duluth on Statesbridge and Stockbridge. They specialize in physiatry, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy and orthotics.
They are the official team physicians for the Georgia Force Arena Football Team, the Gwinnett Gladiators, and the Atlanta Silverbacks. They served as the official medical providers for the 2006 Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl and the Special Olympic Summer Games.
In addition, they provide medical coverage for many of the area high school sports teams.
For an appointment, call 770-953-6929 or visit http://www.sos-atlanta.com for more information.