Increase in Nonfatal Ladder Injuries

The May issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reports on a 16 year study from 1990-2005 on the trend in nonfatal ladder injuries on a national level. The study finds that there has been a 50% increase in the rate of ladder injuries since 1990. The injuries occurred predominately in non-occupational settings and had a high likelihood of hospital admission. Males were the predominant sex injured and fractures was the most common injury for hospital admission. These ladder injuries also have a long term impact on the victims, as the injuries may require future surgeries, rehabilitation, lifelong arthritis, and chronic pain. The studies authors urge for stronger prevention and educational interventions to help reverse the rise in ladder injuries.

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