LADDER INJURIES

A series of 66 patients injured in falls from ladders was studied pros pectively to assess the mode of fall, whether or not the fall was prev entable, and the range of injuries sustained. Of the patients, 47 (71 per cent)fell because their ladder fell, and up to 90 per cent of thes e injuries were preventable. A unde spectrum of injuries was noted, an d the importance of a thorough examination of such patients is emphasi zed The need for a public education programme to prevent such injuries has also been highlighted.