It is tempting to blame the floor, the slippery surface or the uneven step. Sometimes that is exactly what happened.
But falls can also reveal something happening inside the body. Harvard lists factors such as muscle weakness, gait problems, foot, knee or back pain, poor sleep, vision problems, arthritis, osteoporosis and certain neurological conditions among factors that can raise fall risk. Some medicines can contribute too, particularly those that cause drowsiness or changes in blood pressure.
That is why doctors may look beyond the injury itself after a fall, especially when falls are repeated.
Was there a balance problem? A vision issue? Muscle weakness? Dizziness? A medication side effect? Or simply an unsafe environment?
Finding the answer can sometimes be just as important as treating the bruise or painful joint.