# How often do you fall down? NOW, With Poll! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 23, 2011, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517 "2011-04-23T23:32:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/41 "2011-04-24T19:17:16Z")
Thinking on it… not often. I did fall last Monday but it was because of ice, and other times in the past it’s been because of ice. But I too can fall going up stairs, and just the other day I stepped wrongly going downstairs and am lucky I didn’t fall the rest of the way down but damn that hurt my foot. I’m almost surprised I don’t fall more often, I’m klutzy enough to get odd bruises, break toes, that sort of thing but _knock on wood_ unless ice is involved I’ve been lucky with trips and slips that my balance kicks in and/or I manage to catch myself on something. I’m still horribly afraid of skiing and rollerblades though. ---
**Author:** ![Daylate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/42 "2011-04-24T20:37:06Z")
From **Pyper** > [@](#): > > I studied abroad in a town in Spain where the streets were largely paved with cobblestones. Let me tell you: cobblestones are some slippery mothers. Almost all the other exchange students I knew slipped and fell down within the first week of arriving and continued to slip and fall throughout our stay. A bit of a hijack - but a neat coincidence, too. Just a half hour ago I was reading the penultimate chapter in H.L. Mencken’s book “Heathen Days”, and he was reporting on a visit to Jerusalem sometime around 1922. He spent a page and a half on nothing but how most of the streets in Jerusalem were paved with cobblestones, and how miserably slippery they were to walk on. He was very eloquent about this, as only Mencken can be. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/43 "2011-04-24T20:45:51Z")
Some people use slate for walkways and stairs, too, and when slate gets a sniff of moisture, it turns into a skating rink. Give me old-fashioned concrete, with enough texture in it to retain grippiness even with some moisture. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/44 "2011-04-24T20:52:06Z")
I’ve got a torn ACL in one knee and a ruptured ACL in the other. Every now and then one or the other will just. . . go. I fall down on average 5 or 6 times a year. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/45 "2011-04-24T20:57:35Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Are they older? Diabetic with neuropathy in their extremities? Drunk? No, no, and no. That’s what had me puzzled - they just…fell down a lot. I have to say, I’m really disappointed in the “I don’t like to vote in polls” results. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/46 "2011-04-25T14:32:03Z")
I used to fall down quite regularly, with little or no consequences. I just have very bad coordination. Then a year ago I fell downstairs, snapped off the top of my wristbone, broke two fingers at the knuckle and broke my tailbone. I don’t fall down so much any more, but when I do, I freak out. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/47 "2011-04-25T14:43:12Z")
I [ski](http://www.youtube.com/user/RichardCulpeper), therefore I fall. A couple of years ago I pinched my femoral nerve and lost a lot of coordination and muscle mass on my quads, so I tipped over quite a bit for the next year or so. Still don’t have as much strength in one leg, but no more surprise falls. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/48 "2011-04-25T14:53:13Z")
Never. I am part Weeble, but I do wooble quite frequently. ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/49 "2011-04-25T14:54:48Z")
I marked that I don’t fall often but after reading some responses I think I fall more than the average bear. I’d say I take at least one good tumble in winter and maybe another the rest of the year. Which isn’t too bad. It’s the recreational activities that get me. I hunt steep country and I am not graceful, I fall when hunting quite a lot. I don’t really snowboard either, I just take repeated, cartoon-like falls until I arrive at the lift - and people wonder why I prefer skiing. Edit: Because **Death of Rats** just made me drown in coffee. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/50 "2011-04-25T15:04:19Z")
I can’t even recall the last time I fell down, although I think it involved ice. This is in spite of the (now healing) nerve damage in my legs. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/51 "2011-04-25T15:12:18Z")
I practically never fall because I’m very VERY careful on icy ground–that’s the only time I worry about it. I can’t imagine ever falling on stairs or indoors. The last time I fell was winter of 2010, while walking into a gas station. I was taken by surprise because it was wet out but the pavement wasn’t really icy, but their outdoor rubber mat was an ice slick. I went down gracefully and didn’t hurt anything but my dignity. Before that, I can’t really remember falling, ever. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/52 "2011-04-25T15:14:42Z")
Hardly ever, although I did slip hiking down a steep muddy hill with the dogs the other day. Landed on my ass, but no pain and no damage. And I’ve fallen off horses a few times, but I don’t think that really counts. I don’t think I’ve ever been hurt falling down. ---
**Author:** ![maladroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/53 "2011-04-25T20:23:42Z")
I fell down last week and landed on both knees, skinning them up. Still not sure if I tripped on my own foot, the sidewalk, or what. My knees are fine, but I think I did a rodeo thing with my right arm, because I wrenched my shoulder and it’s the only thing that still hurts. Just glad I didn’t break a hip. It’s been years and years since the last time I fell, though. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/54 "2011-04-25T20:30:20Z")
Hardly ever, unless alcohol is involved. I have a sore finger from last September, when alcohol was involved, but also rain and a slippery deck. Two years ago I did a face plant after a Kiss concert. Alcohol was the sole contributor to that one. Luckily my face healed. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/55 "2011-04-26T03:50:28Z")
I have terrible ankles strength. If I step in a hole or clumsily on a rock, instinct basically tells me to fall and not to “save” myself. It normally saves me a twisted ankle. I may look drunk…but I am not. ---
**Author:** ![KRC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@KRC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KRC)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/56 "2011-04-26T04:12:56Z")
Rarely fall except occasionally on slick surfaces. Last summer when my leg was paralyzed I fell a couple times before I wised up and got a crutch. My father falls a lot but I think he has essential tremor and that can lead to falling. I have essential tremor too. I’m not looking forward to getting old. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/57 "2011-04-26T06:39:39Z")
I both fall down, and have issues getting up even without falling down. I will confess to having been a klutz all my life, I can fall down stairs, I can fall upstairs, I can trip over a thread on the floor [so it seems] so the bum knees from sports trauma generated osteoarthritis doesn’t help any. The CPPD in my feet has whacked my balance, so I will be fairly unsteady and off balance. My knees or hips will go out and drop me to the floor if I misstep. I really am safer in a wheelchair even without the pain issues. And I never wear white if I am drinking anything other than water … because I will spill stuff on myself. _sigh_ ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/58 "2011-04-26T12:32:11Z")
I have balance problems, but I am very careful, and lucky, so I’m not yet falling a lot. ---
**Author:** ![phantom\_lamb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@phantom\_lamb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phantom_lamb)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/59 "2011-04-26T13:18:51Z")
I stumble, trip and lose balance sometimes but I usually manage not to fall. So an actual fall would be like once a year (and it hurts like hell). Can’t remember the last time I slipped and fell on ice - and it’s _very_ icy here in Winter. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517/60 "2011-04-26T16:32:25Z")
It’s been a while since I fell (I think the last time was a year ago) but the year leading up to that, I think I stumbled over my own damn feet at least 4-5 times. I think it’s a combination of mild neuropathy, poor proprioception, and weak ankles. I’ve done semi-permanent damage to myself by these falls over the past couple of decades: both elbows have been broken (not at the same time, fortunately), numerous sprained ankles, a permanent dented spot on my left outer thigh (which is permanently tender to the touch) after somersaulting down some stairs, a mild facial scar from where I slammed into a door frame after stumbling in my own kitchen… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-fall-down-now-with-poll/579517.md?page=4)