Don't Let a Winter Slip-Up Sideline You: When to Seek Care for a Fall

Icy sidewalks, wet steps, and patches of snow can turn even a short trip to the mailbox into a dangerous fall. While some minor slip-ups heal with rest and at-home care, others can cause serious injuries that require professional medical attention. 

At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland, our specialists are ready to assess your injury, clean your wound, check for fractures, and get your recovery started. Here’s what you need to know about when to seek care for a fall, and how urgent care can help you get back on your feet safely.

Why winter puts you at risk

Slip and fall injuries can happen any time of year, but winter brings added challenges that make them more likely, and sometimes more severe.

The colder weather leads to slippery ice and snow that make walking treacherous. Bulky clothing and stiff muscles from cold temperature can affect balance and coordination. Further, reduced sunlight makes it harder to see obstacles that may cause you to fall, while shorter days affect sleep, leaving you more tired and less alert. 

Common slip and fall injuries

Injuries come in all shapes and sizes and can affect any part of your body. A slip and fall may lead to:

• Sprains or strains
• Bumps and bruises
• Fractures
• Head injury or concussion
• Cuts or open wounds

Even if an injury seems minor, it’s important to monitor your symptoms closely. For instance, a sore wrist could mean a sprain or it could indicate a fracture.

When to seek care for a fall

Not every fall requires a trip to urgent care, but you shouldn’t ignore some symptoms. Seek prompt care if you experience:

• An obvious or suspected fracture
• Sudden, severe swelling or bruising
• Inability to use or move the affected body part
• A large or deep open wound
• Bleeding that doesn’t stop after several minutes of pressure
• Dizziness or loss of consciousness

Getting checked out right away helps prevent complications, reduces pain, and gets you on the path to healing.

How urgent care helps

At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland, we can quickly see injuries that aren’t life-threatening — there’s no ER wait needed if it’s not an emergency. During your visit, our team reviews how the accident happened and the symptoms you’re experiencing. 

We perform a physical exam and may order imaging tests like an X-ray to confirm a diagnosis or rule out certain problems. We provide first aid, clean wounds, stitch cuts, and brace sprains. We may also prescribe medication to manage pain or prevent infection.

Our goal is to start your recovery right away so you can return to your normal activities as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of your injury, we may refer you to a specialist or your primary care provider for follow-up care.

Don’t let a winter slip-up keep you sidelined. Whether you need a quick check for peace of mind or treatment for a more serious injury, our urgent care team at Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland is here to help.  

Call us at our Midland, Michigan, office, book an appointment online, or walk in. We’re open seven days a week.