Slip and Fall Injury Physiotherapy Edmonton

Physiotherapy for wrist, hip, tailbone, knee and head injuries after a fall on ice, stairs or at work, with care for older adults and concussion screening.

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Physiotherapy After a Slip and Fall in Edmonton

Slip and Fall Injury Physiotherapy can help assess and treat injuries to the wrist, shoulder, hip, tailbone, knee or head following a fall. Edmonton’s icy winters make falls common. At Next Step Physio & Neurorehab Clinic, our physiotherapists assess your injuries, screen for concussion, and guide recovery with hands-on care and progressive exercise so you can regain strength, movement and confidence on your feet.

Falls happen on sidewalks, stairs and parking lots, at work and at home. Our Millwoods clinic sees fall injuries, no referral is needed, and we bill WCB-Alberta directly for accepted workplace claims.

(587) 855-4559

Common injuries from slips and falls

The way you land determines what gets hurt. Reaching out to break a fall loads the wrist and shoulder; landing on the side strikes the hip; a backward fall jars the tailbone, spine and head. Slip and Fall Injury Physiotherapy at Next Step Physio & Neurorehab Clinic can help assess these injuries and guide your recovery with appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. Physiotherapy at Next Step Physio & Neurorehab Clinic can help assess and treat a range of injuries, including:

Wrist sprains and fractures, including recovery after a cast or splint is removed
Shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff strains, dislocations and bruised joints
Hip and pelvic pain, from deep bruising to rehabilitation after a hip fracture repair
Tailbone (coccyx) pain that makes sitting difficult
Knee injuries, including ligament sprains, kneecap bruising and cartilage irritation
Neck and back strain from the jolt of landing
Concussion and whiplash-type symptoms when the head is struck or shaken

Some injuries show up immediately; others, such as neck stiffness or headaches, appear a day or two later. Slip and Fall Injury Physiotherapy can help identify movement limitations, assess injuries and guide appropriate rehabilitation after a fall. It is worth being assessed even if you walked away feeling mostly fine, as some symptoms may take time to develop.

Concussion screening after a fall

If your head hit the ground or a step, or snapped back sharply, you may have a concussion even without losing consciousness. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, foggy thinking, disturbed sleep and feeling unusually irritable.

During your first visit, our team at Next Step Physio & Neurorehab Clinic provides Slip and Fall Injury Physiotherapy, screening for concussion signs alongside your physical injuries. If a concussion is suspected, we adapt your plan to include symptom-guided activity, neck treatment and, where needed, vestibular and balance rehabilitation, while coordinating with your physician.

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What to expect from fall injury physiotherapy

Recovery is staged to protect healing tissue while getting you moving again as soon as it is safe.

Assessment and injury screen:

We examine each injured area, test movement, strength, balance and nerve function, screen for concussion and flag anything that needs an X-ray or medical review.

Protect and settle:

Early care may include taping, bracing advice, positioning, gentle range-of-motion exercises and hands-on treatment to reduce pain and swelling while tissues begin to heal.

Restore movement:

As healing allows, we progress mobility work for the wrist, shoulder, hip, knee or spine, and treat the stiffness that often follows a period in a cast or sling.

Rebuild strength:

Targeted strengthening restores the muscles around the injured joint and the leg and trunk strength you need for stairs, chairs and carrying groceries.

Balance and confidence:

Balance and reaction training reduce the risk of another fall and address the fear of falling that often lingers, especially in winter.

Return to work and daily life:

We progress you back to your job, sport or household routine, and for workplace falls we support your WCB-Alberta claim with reports and, with your consent, communication about modified duties.

Fractures and dislocations follow the timelines your physician or surgeon sets; we start rehabilitation as soon as they clear you.

When to see a doctor after a fall

Get medical care before physiotherapy if you cannot put weight on a leg, a joint looks deformed or is very swollen, you have severe pain over a bone, numbness or weakness in a limb, or you hit your head and have a worsening headache, vomiting, confusion, slurred speech or drowsiness.

For older adults, improving balance and strength and reducing hazards around the home can help lower the risk of falls. Learn more about preventing falls and injuries in older adults from the Government of Canada.

Seek medical attention after a fall, particularly for hip, wrist and head injuries. Anyone taking blood thinners who has struck their head should be assessed the same day. Once serious injuries have been ruled out or treated, Slip and Fall Injury Physiotherapy at Next Step Physio & Neurorehab Clinic can help guide your recovery with an appropriate rehabilitation plan.

Book physiotherapy after a slip and fall in Edmonton

We treat fall injuries at Next Step Physio & Neurorehab Clinic in Millwoods (Suite 106, 7319-29 Avenue NW). No referral is needed for physiotherapy. We bill WCB-Alberta directly for accepted claims and direct-bill most extended health insurers where your plan allows.

If your fall happened at work, report it to your employer and bring your claim number. Book online or call to arrange an assessment.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQ

After the fall

I fell but nothing seems broken. Should I still be assessed?

Yes, if pain, stiffness or swelling lasts more than a day or two. Soft tissue injuries, mild concussions and hip or tailbone bruising are easy to underestimate and respond well to early care.

Do I need an X-ray before physiotherapy?

Not always. Your physiotherapist screens for signs that suggest a fracture and will direct you to a physician or emergency department for imaging if needed.

Can physiotherapy help tailbone pain?

Yes. Treatment includes positioning and cushion advice, gentle mobility work, hands-on treatment of the surrounding muscles and pelvic floor referral if symptoms persist.

How soon after a wrist fracture can I start?

Rehabilitation usually begins once your cast or splint is removed, though shoulder and elbow mobility can often be maintained before then. Your surgeon or physician sets the timeline.

Will you check for concussion?

Yes. Every fall assessment includes questions about head impact and concussion symptoms, and we adapt your plan or refer you for medical review if a concussion is suspected.

Claims, older adults and prevention

My fall happened at work. Is it covered?

Falls at work, including in parking lots and on job sites, are generally covered by WCB-Alberta once the claim is accepted. Report it to your employer, start a worker's report, and we bill WCB directly for accepted claims.

What if I fell on someone else's property?

We treat the injury the same way. Keep notes about where and when it happened and any medical visits; we can provide treatment records if you need them. For questions about a claim, speak with a lawyer or your insurer.

I am worried my parent will fall again. Can you help?

Yes. After treating the injury we can assess balance, strength and walking, address fear of falling and recommend footwear, home changes and a falls-prevention program.

Does physiotherapy help after a hip fracture repair?

Yes. Once your surgeon clears you, rehabilitation restores walking, stair climbing, strength and balance, and reduces the risk of another fall.

How can I avoid winter falls in Edmonton?

Wear footwear with good grip or ice cleats, slow down on ice and slopes, keep hands out of pockets, use handrails and keep up leg strength and balance exercises through the winter.

Related services at Next Step:

Available at our Millwoods clinic in Edmonton. Book an appointment.