Use your head: Take precautions to prevent facial injuries
Today, there’s almost a crusade taking place to decrease the risk of concussion in hockey, football and other sports. But what is the risk of other injuries? A study published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery says you do not have to participate in high-octane sports to be injured. The report shows that facial fractures among older adults are on the rise.
Researchers at Wayne State University in Detroit evaluated U.S. national emergency-room statistics and discovered an interesting trend.
During a five-year period, 20,500 adults ages 55 and older suffered facial fractures. In fact, the number of these injuries had increased 45 per cent over the preceding five years.
The majority of those injured were men, who are more likely to engage in higher-risk activities. For example, 35 per cent of the injured males broke a facial bone while cycling, and 20 per cent while playing team sports.
On the other hand, 15 per cent of women with facial injuries suffered them while cycling.
What surprised me was the number of women treated for broken bones in the face as a result of activities we normally consider safe.
For instance, women received the majority of their injuries while walking. What’s more amazing, 15 per cent were injured while gardening, and seven per cent fell victim at the gym. It appears that some days, it’s safer to stay in bed.
Recently, at a family gathering, I said getting around downtown Toronto in a car was becoming more hazardous and suggested it was time to go back to a bicycle. I could see immediately the horror on their faces. Their reaction was swift, namely: “Dad don’t do it. Take a cab.”
This was sound advice after reading the Wayne State University report.
It said cycling was responsible for 27 per cent of facial injuries in both sexes. Then to drive home the point, it stressed that the most dangerous ages for getting on a bicycle were between 55 and 64. This meant that at my age, taking arsenic would provide a better chance of survival.
Other activities that made the list for facial injuries included team sports such as baseball (15 per cent), jogging (five per cent) and golfing (three per cent).
What’s the message? Before you think you’re 16 again, consider the consequences of breaking your nose, eye socket or jaw.
These injuries might affect your ability to talk, breathe and swallow. They might change the normal alignment of teeth, or cause blurred or double vision. In fact, a severe injury to the eye socket can lead to blindness. For all these injuries, pain and facial deformity must be considered.
However, in spite of this report, you must not become inactive. We all know that becoming couch potatoes is a one-way street to obesity, diabetes and a host of other problems.
Keep in mind that normal aging affects balance, muscle strength and depth perception and slows reflexes. So use a little extra care to prevent needless injury.
If you cycle, wear a helmet. Equally important, make sure that when you’re sitting on a bicycle, your feet can touch the ground. And if you’re cycling in a large city, remember that drivers have difficulty seeing you on their right side.
If you’re jogging, use well-fitting rubber-soled sneakers or shoes. Don’t try to break the oneminute mile and end up tripping. And there’s less chance of falling on uneven paths with a walking stick.
What about golf? It must be obvious to everyone that a major error is standing close to someone who is swinging a golf club. Yet every year, facial injuries continue to occur.
Many years ago, this happened to my own young daughter. I ended up stitching up her injury when no other doctors were available at the hospital.
And just in case you’re interested, my taxicab bills have escalated this year. Prevention is safer.