There are a number of reasons as to why diabetes may contribute to fall:
Decreased Sensorimotor Function:
Decreased sensorimotor function can lead to unsteady gait, unstable posture, musculoskeletal/neuromuscular deficits, concussions from falls, broken femur, hip fractures, joint replacements, fractured shoulders, foot and body pain, as well as side effects from medicines.
It is extremely important for individuals that have diabetes to be in a physical therapy program for fall prevention and balance, as well as gait training and strengthening. A physical therapy program is constructed for each individual based on the limitations they are experiencing. A number of studies have shown that balance, strength, and gait training may be utilized to successfully reduce fall risk in this population within a safe training environment.
Musculoskeletal and Neuromuscular Functions:
Diabetes affects a person's musculoskeletal and neuromuscular functions by contributing to lower physical activity, muscle strength, and poor postural control. A decline in this is found to be among the significant risk factors that influence gait patterns and increased risk of falls among these individuals.
Among the elderly population, postural control is an important factor to perform activities such as standing, sitting, walking, and reaching tasks (taking items off a shelf etc.) Considering that the feet serve as the base supporting structure during these activities, the strength in lower extremity joints plays a vital role in establishing a strategy for postural stability. Impaired postural control during static balance tests increases the limitations at the base of support and in turn results in increased risk of falls.
Foot Pain:
Foot pain is another recognized risk factor for falls. Patients with diabetes may frequently experience symptoms of painful damage to the nerve fibers in the toes and foot. This results in chronic pain and/or loss of feeling in the foot which reduces or eliminates the ability to walk or do any sort of regular exercise.
A recent study from the Journal of Aging Research shows that there’s an association between Diabetes and Falls.
Falls are a major concern for elderly adults with diabetes. Falls among ambulatory elderly individuals with diabetes is very common, and more common than you may think. 40% of older diabetics report falling each year. Weekly balance training sessions, strength training, and gait training have been shown to reduce fall risk in individuals with diabetes. If you have any patients or someone that you personally know that can benefit from this information please have them call our facility.
The Reddy Care Team is here to help!
In-Home Therapy:
Patients can take advantage of therapy in their own home. Our team of physical & occupational therapists travel to them and help them work in the best environment for improving their condition. Physical therapy at home helps keep patients independent and moving longer because doing the correct exercises with the correct resistance will get them stronger. We understand your concern that sending patients to the clinic to use machines would be better for their results, however, machinery isn't really necessary. The reason for that is because the therapists bring weights and therabands to provide the proper resistance and can work on conditioning, strengthening and balance at home. The therapists provide the proper mechanism to increase function and increase sensorimotor function at home. Developing Strength will help for full weight-bearing. Any form of resistance will help increase and achieve the strength to become more functional and reduce the risk of falls in your patients.
If you have any questions, give Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy a call!
Reddy Care Great Neck: 516-829-0030
Reddy Care Farmingdale: 516-420-2900
In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy: 516-829-0030
