Obese people are more likely to be injured traumatically due to several reasons.

Most obviously, the extra body weight increases the force exerted on the body during falls or collisions, leading to more severe injuries.  The extra weight places stress on joints, making them more prone to injuries such as sprains and fractures.

Obesity leads to limited mobility and balance and can slow down reflexes which increases the likelihood of a fall on a slippery floor, uneven sidewalk, or cluttered walkway.

Obese individuals may have comorbid conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases that can complicate injury recovery.

Finally, the general lower levels of fitness in the obese may make it harder for them to withstand and recover from injuries, and treating their injuries can be more challenging, leading to a possibly prolonged and complicated recovery process.

Elderly people are more likely to be injured after a traumatic event due to several factors.

Osteoporosis, low bone density, is one of the more common causes of brittle bones in the elderly or in postmenopausal women which leads to a higher risk of fractures.

Slower reflexes, which are a result of aging makes one less likely to prevent a stumble or fall, and then the reduced muscle mass of aging leaves less cushion for protection upon impact.

In general, frailty makes recovery from injuries slower and more complicated and these factors collectively contribute to a higher likelihood and severity of injuries among the elderly after a traumatic event.

Conservative care for musculoskeletal injuries involves non-surgical and non-invasive treatments aimed at managing pain, promoting healing, and restoring function.

Initially, conservative care begins with rest and activity modification using splints, braces, casts or slings to stabilize and protect the injured area or joint.  Canes and crutch walking allows for reduced weight across an injured joint.  A cane should be used in the hand opposite from the injury with the bodyweight shifted toward the cane and away from the injured leg.  A walker provides for more stability than a cane or crutches.

Physical Therapy provides strengthening, stretching, and range-of-motion exercises tailored to the specific injury. Occupational Therapy is similar to physical therapy, but it focuses on the upper extremity and hand.

Manual Therapy techniques such as massage, joint mobilization, and manipulation are used to improve movement and decrease pain.

Medications include over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen, Aleve or Ibuprofen.  Prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) may be recommended.  Topical creams and gels that can be applied to the skin over the affected area are also beneficial.

Ice and Heat Therapy are front line treatments.  Ice packs are applied to reduce acute inflammation and numb the area to alleviate pain.  Whereas heat therapy is used to relax and loosen tissues and stimulate blood flow to the area.

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) units are devices that deliver small electrical impulses to a painful or injured area to help reduce pain.

Teaching proper posture and body mechanics to prevent further injury and strain, and modifying workspaces and activities to reduce stress on the injured area are encouraged.

Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce stress on joints and muscles, and engaging in low-impact activities to maintain overall fitness and strength is also part of conservative care and preventive therapy.

Teaching individuals about their injury and how to manage it effectively can be extremely valuable. Common sense is not always as common as you may think when dealing with a painful injury.  Being taught routines for managing symptoms at home, including exercises and application of ice or heat are financially helpful and time saving.

Alternative therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic treatment may help reduce pain and improve function. However, spinal adjustments may not always be appropriate in a recently injured or elderly patient.

Injections are the most aggressive form of conservative care.  For significant inflammation and pain, doctors may inject corticosteroids directly into the affected area.  A more recent type of injection, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection, involves spinning down a patient’s blood in a centrifuge in order to collect the platelets and plasma which are then reinjected into the injured area to promote healing.

Finally, Mother Nature is always on the job enabling most injuries to heal overtime.

But, the aforementioned measures help reduce discomfort and speed up healing, allowing the patient to perform some of their daily activities at home and work effectively while their recovery is taking place.