SACRAMENTO, Calif.,
Sept. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/
-- The health risks associated with heart disease, stroke, and
cancer are well-known. Less well-known, however, is the serious
health risk that particularly affects older adults – the risk of
injury due to falling.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC):
Every second of the day and adult aged 65 and older falls in
the United States. Every 12
seconds, one of these seniors is admitted to the emergency
department for a fall; and every day 74 of those will die from a
fall. Among older Americans, falls are the number one cause of
injuries and death from injury.1
Anyone can fall. However, seniors are more prone to falling and
tend to sustain significantly more serious injuries, such as hip
fractures (more than 97% of which are caused by falling).2 This can
lead to prolong hospitalization, reduced mobility, loss of
independence and fear of falling again. The constant dread of
another fall can become paralyzing, leading to reduced physical
activity and ironically increasing the chance of future falls.
"When discussing fall prevention, everything from slippery
floors, loose throw rugs, poor lighting, medication side effects,
wet spots and pets have been cited as contributing to the growing
tendency to fall as we age. Foot pain and foot problems, when
mentioned, tend to be near the bottom of the list," said podiatric
foot and ankle specialist Diane Branks, DPM, Vice President of the
California Podiatric Medical Association.
"Since our feet are the foundation for our balance and mobility,
it only makes sense that healthy feet would play a key role in
helping to prevent falls," said Dr. Branks.
In a randomized clinical trial of foot care as a way to prevent
falls, Australian researchers found that the volunteers that
received foot care experienced 36 percent fewer falls than those in
the control group that did not.3
Scientists have also linked several personal risk factors to
falling, including muscle weakness in the lower extremities,
problems with balance and gait; and foot problems that cause pain,
can also increase the risk of falling.4
The foot and ankle is a highly complex structure, containing 26
bones (one-quarter of all the bones in the human body), 33 joints
and more than 100 ligaments and tendons. These are all linked and
served by a vast network of nerves, muscles, soft tissue and skin.
All these components work in unison to provide the support,
strength, flexibility and resiliency needed for things most people
take for granted, such as balance and walking. Because of the
area's intricacy, podiatric physicians who are rigorously educated
in the medical treatment and care of the human foot and ankle play
a vital role in keeping seniors on their feet and helping to
prevent falls.
Dr. Branks, who is podiatric physician and surgeon on staff with
Kaiser Permanente in Fontana, CA,
said, "Podiatric physicians can access and treat foot pain; analyze
and identify underlying biomechanical and gait abnormalities,
prescribe corrective measures including custom orthotic devices and
perform necessary surgeries"
Dr. Branks adds that podiatric physicians provide expert medical
advice on foot health and care, can recommend exercise programs to
increase foot and ankle strength and flexibility, and provide
knowledgeable counsel on proper footwear.
"For seniors, good food health can be the difference between
enjoyment or infirmity, active involvement or debilitating decline.
Keeping our aging population active longer and more capable of
caring for themselves is critical. Quality foot and ankle care
provided by podiatric physicians is an important part of the
equation," said Dr. Branks.
The California Podiatric Medical Association offers some simple
steps to help prevent falls:
- "Have a yearly foot health examination by a podiatric
physician. Feet tend to change with aging or changes in one's
health. Be sure to tell him/her if you have fallen within the past
year, or if you have a fear of falling. Discuss with the doctor
medications that you are currently talking.
- "Wear appropriate footwear. Wearing the right kind of shoes can
help to reduce the risk of falling. Avoid high heels, backless
shoes and shoes with slick soles, all of which come with an
increased risk of falling. Select shoes that have a lot of contact
with the ground, nonskid soles with a good grip, are well cushioned
and have low heels.
- "Have your feet professionally measured each time you buy
shoes, because the size and shape of your feet can change with
aging or changes to your health. Have both feet measured and buy
for the larger foot. Because feet swell throughout the day, shop
for shoes in the afternoon. Bring the socks/stockings that will
typically be work with the shoes. Try of both shoes and walk around
the store. If the shoes are not comfortable don't buy them. Shoes
shouldn't need to be broken in.
- "Wear your shoes indoors. Harvard
researchers have found that people who wore shoes indoors were less
likely to suffer a serious injury from a fall than those who wore
slippers or socks or went barefoot.5
- "Health issues like diabetes or foot health problems may
require special shoes. Speak to your podiatric physician regarding
recommendations, prescriptions and directions.
- "Participate in evidence-based programs, like Tai Chi, that can improve your balance and
strengthen your legs. Contact your local YMCA or Council on Aging
for information about programs available in your community.
- "Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts more pressure
and stress on your feet.
- "Stay physically active. Develop an exercise routine that is
right for you. Regular exercise improves muscles and makes you
stronger. It also helps keep your joints, tendons, and ligaments
flexible. Mild weight-bearing activities, such as walking a low
impact exercise that almost anyone can do is a great choice and may
also slow bone loss from osteoporosis.
- "Eat a balance healthy diet. Be sure your diet includes get
enough calcium and vitamin D for healthy bones
Reduce falling risks around the home by:
- "Remove tripping hazards. Make sure toys, books, clothes,
shoes, etc. remove are not left on the floor, especially at night.
Remove throw-rugs or firmly tape them down. Outside of your home,
repair broken cement surfaces, and put away the garden hose and
tools.
- "Increase lighting inside and out - motion sensor lights are a
great option.
- "Make stairs safer by ensuring carpeting is even and firmly
attached on each step and that the handrails are securely in
place
- "Install grab bars in key areas of the most hazardous areas in
the home for falls, especially in the bathrooms. Add nonskid mats
to showers and tub bottoms.
- "Pets can also pose a fall risk. Never step over your pet. They
can suddenly move causing you to trip and fall. Cats and small dogs
can frequently get under feet. Try tying a bell to their collars to
let you know where they are. Large dogs can playfully jump up on
you, or suddenly pull on the leash causing a fall. Check with your
local pet store or SPCA about dog training classes.
To find a local licensed podiatric physician visit
http://www.calpma.org.
CPMA: Doctors dedicated to keeping Californians on their Feet –
Healthy, Active and Productive!
Founded in 1912, the California Podiatric Medical Association
(CPMA) is the leading and recognized professional organization for
California's doctors of podiatric
medicine (DPMs). DPMs are podiatric physicians and surgeons, also
known as podiatrists, qualified by their long and rigorous
education, training and experience to diagnose and treat conditions
affecting the foot, ankle and structures of the leg.
1 CDC: "Don't Fall Behind on Fall Prevention"
http://www.cdc.gov/features/falls-prevention-day/index.html
2 CDC: "Important Facts about Falls"
http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html
3 Harvard Health Letter: "Taking Care of Your Feet May Prevent
Falls and Injuries"
http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/taking-care-of-your-feet-may-prevent-falls-injuries
4 National Institute On Aging "Prevent Falls and Fractures"
http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/prevent-falls-and-fractures
5 Science Daily "Going Barefoot in Home May Contribute to Elderly
Falls"
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100623085516.htm
SOURCE California Podiatric Medical Association