Slipped on the Ice? What to Do Next—and When to Get Help

You’re walking to your car, stepping off the curb, or carrying groceries up the steps. Your foot slides, and suddenly you’re on the ground.

Once the initial surprise passes, the questions begin. Am I injured? Should I get this checked? Is it okay to keep moving?

With snow and icy sidewalks becoming part of everyday life in Edmonton again, it helps to know what to do after a fall—and how to get back to your usual activities safely.

First, pause before getting up

It’s tempting to jump straight up, especially if someone saw you fall. Give yourself a moment.

Check how you feel. Did you hit your head? Is there severe pain? Can you move your arms and legs comfortably?

If you think you may be seriously injured, don’t force yourself to stand or let someone pull you up. Ask for help.

Call 911 if you cannot get up, have severe pain, lost consciousness, or have another medical emergency. While waiting for help, keep warm as best you can.

If you feel able to get up safely, take your time and use stable support. Let someone know what happened, even if you initially feel okay.

MyHealth Alberta has a helpful guide to getting up safely after a fall.

When should you get medical help?

Some injuries need medical assessment before you start exercises or book a routine treatment appointment.

Seek prompt medical advice if you hit your head, feel dizzy, or develop new or worsening pain. An injured ankle that looks misshapen or cannot take weight also needs medical assessment.

After a possible head injury, call 911 for warning signs such as increasing confusion, difficulty waking, seizures, repeated vomiting, or new weakness or difficulty speaking.

You don’t have to lose consciousness to have a concussion. Older adults taking blood thinners should be assessed promptly after a fall, even without obvious concussion symptoms.

Learn more about concussion symptoms and assessment.

If you’re unsure where to go, call Health Link at 811 for advice. Use 911 for emergencies.

What if pain or other symptoms appear later?

Do not use “I felt okay when I got up” as the only check on an injury. If pain develops later, gets worse or begins limiting how you walk or use an arm, arrange appropriate assessment. Tell the clinician when you fell, where you landed, what you noticed at first and what has changed since.

After a possible head injury, symptoms can appear later. New headache, dizziness, difficulty thinking or other changes need medical advice; the emergency warning signs above still apply. MyHealth Alberta’s brain-injury guidance advises contacting a doctor if symptoms develop at any time after the injury. If you were already assessed, follow your discharge instructions and seek reassessment for concerning changes.

A short record can make that conversation easier: what hurts, whether swelling is changing, which ordinary tasks are difficult and whether the overall pattern is improving. You do not need to test the injury repeatedly or wait until you can name a diagnosis.

If a particular area is painful, our guides to wrist pain after a fall and tailbone pain after a fall explain warning signs and how follow-up may fit.

What if you’re sore, but there’s no serious injury?

Once urgent concerns have been addressed, the next step depends on what you injured and how it affects you.

For example, a mild ankle sprain may be manageable at home, while a more significant injury may need protection, support, and a specific rehabilitation plan. MyHealth Alberta’s ankle sprain guidance recommends assessment if ankle pain or swelling worsens, you cannot put weight on the foot, or you are not improving after a week.

Pay attention to everyday function:

• Can you walk around your home comfortably?

• Can you use the affected arm or leg?

• Are normal tasks becoming easier?

• Are symptoms improving, staying the same, or getting worse?

These observations are useful to share with a practitioner. You don’t need to arrive knowing exactly what is injured.

Should you rest or keep moving?

There isn’t one answer for every fall. A fracture, concussion, and mild sprain require different care.

For an uncomplicated ankle sprain, rehabilitation commonly includes a gradual return to movement, strengthening, and balance exercises. The timing depends on the injury and any instructions about protecting it or limiting weight-bearing.

This is where an active recovery plan can help: knowing what you can do now, what needs modifying, and how to progress.

Useful questions to ask are:

• What activities are appropriate at this stage?

• Do I need to protect or support the injured area?

• What changes mean I should be reassessed?

• How will I know I’m ready to do more?

The aim is to make your next steps clear enough that you feel comfortable taking them.

You can learn about physiotherapy at 4 Points and athletic therapy to explore support for rehabilitation. The appropriate service depends on your injury, goals, and assessment findings.

Getting your confidence back matters, too

After a fall, you may find yourself hesitating on steps or avoiding your usual walk. Mention that when you seek care. Feeling comfortable moving again is a worthwhile recovery goal.

A plan might start with a short walk on a clear indoor surface, then progress towards the activities you want to return to, as appropriate for your injury.

Over the longer term, strength and balance activities are also part of falls prevention. Alberta Health Services encourages older adults to stay active and include activities that develop both.

Be specific about what feels uncertain: the front step, getting out of the car, walking alone or carrying groceries. That gives us a practical goal to discuss. Choose a manageable activity in a safer setting while you work on the limitation; do not use an icy route to prove that you have recovered.

Let your healthcare provider know if fear is keeping you from seeing people or doing usual activities. Alberta’s guidance on fear of falling recommends planning how to get help, staying connected and discussing ways to remain active. Rebuilding confidence can be part of recovery without dismissing real winter hazards.

A few practical ways to reduce your risk this winter

Edmonton sidewalks can change quickly when snow melts and freezes again. Before heading out:

• Wear well-fitting footwear with good grip.

• Consider traction aids for icy conditions, and remove them indoors.

• Choose cleared routes and use handrails.

• Allow extra time so you aren’t rushing.

• Keep your hands free and your attention on where you’re walking.

Find more advice in Alberta Health Services’ winter walking guide.

For footwear, route planning and preparation before your next outing, see our winter walking guide.

Still sore or unsure what comes next?

After any urgent medical concerns have been addressed, an assessment can help clarify what is limiting you and what support may be useful.

At 4 Points Health & Wellness, you can talk with our team about where to start. Tell us what happened, what you’re having trouble doing, and whether you’ve already had a medical assessment.

Contact 4 Points Health & Wellness or call 780-705-5775. If you already know which service you need, you can view appointments online.

You should understand what the plan is and what you’re working towards—whether that’s walking the dog, getting back to work, or feeling steady on your front steps.

Laura Lissel — Athletic Therapist

Once urgent injuries have been assessed, Laura Lissel can help with appropriate musculoskeletal rehabilitation and a gradual return to activity. Bring the tasks you want to get back to, any medical findings and any restrictions you were given. The plan should reflect the injury and what you need to do, whether that is managing the stairs at work or returning to recreation.

View appointments with Laura Lissel. If you are unsure whether athletic therapy fits your situation, contact our team before choosing an appointment. A routine appointment does not replace medical assessment for a possible fracture or head injury.

Related reading from 4 Points

Shoulder Pain: Why It Hurts Overhead, at Night, and What You Can Do

Shoulder Pain When Reaching Overhead: Assessment and Recovery

This article provides general information and cannot determine whether a particular fall has caused an injury.