Unfortunately, many of the patients University Orthopedics surgeons see are older adults who were injured during a fall. According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults, resulting in more than 3 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including more than 800,000 hospitalizations.

While falls are sometimes a part of life, Dr. Kyle Nuland, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in total joint replacement, says there are steps seniors and their families can take to lessen the chance.

Dr. Nuland said it’s a three-prong approach:

• Look around your home for potential fall dangers like rugs and furniture.
• Improve your stability by strengthening your legs and core.
• Family members should play a role and take action when a loved one begins looking more unstable.