The assistance came from some strangers who were simply passing by. Patients with chronic pain, including chronic back pain, are at increased risk for falling. These falls can and do result in serious injuries that can be life threatening. Patients with chronic pain need to be extremely cautious around stairs, crossing streets and around any potentially hazardous setting. Use of pain medication, regardless of strength of the medication, does not alter the risk of falling.
Patients fall just as frequently regardless of the type of medication.
Clinicians and insurance carriers need to treat patients with chronic back pain as the truly injured patients that they are. If there is an injury in the fall, document the injury with pictures. Inform your physician about my study. You may receive a copy of the abstract and supporting data.