Fall Prevention and Balance Care

What You Need To Know

Learn how podiatric care can reduce your fall risk and improve stability.

Understanding Fall Risk and Prevention

Falls are a serious health concern, particularly for older adults and individuals with foot and ankle conditions. Each year, millions of people suffer injuries due to falls, leading to fractures, loss of mobility, and long-term disability. Many of these falls are preventable with proper balance assessments, supportive braces, and podiatric treatments.

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital visits among adults over 65, but they also affect younger individuals with balance impairments. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four adults over 65 falls each year, and fall-related injuries account for over 3 million emergency room visits annually.

Several factors contribute to an increased fall risk, including weak or unstable ankles that make it difficult to maintain balance, neuropathy (nerve damage) that reduces sensation in the feet, poor posture and coordination due to aging or medical conditions, muscle weakness that affects movement and stability, side effects of medications that cause dizziness or drowsiness, and foot pain or improper footwear that increases the risk of tripping.

You should see a podiatrist if you have recently experienced a fall, feel unsteady when walking, have ankle weakness, foot pain, or neuropathy, notice changes in your gait, or feel nervous about walking on uneven surfaces or stairs. A comprehensive balance evaluation can identify weaknesses or abnormalities that affect movement and coordination, and our team can build a personalized plan to help you move more safely.

Balance Testing and Treatment Options

Podiatrists use specialized assessments and devices to evaluate balance and stability. The Life in Balance Test is a comprehensive assessment used to evaluate a person’s stability, gait, and risk of falling. It includes a gait evaluation to identify walking abnormalities, a postural assessment to check alignment, ankle and foot strength testing, and a fall history review to determine past incidents and risk factors.

The Moore Balance Brace (MBB) is a lightweight, custom-made ankle-foot orthosis designed to improve stability and reduce fall risk. Unlike traditional braces, the MBB is tailored for individuals experiencing balance issues due to weakness, neuropathy, or instability. It provides added ankle and foot support, improves proprioception (the body’s ability to sense foot position and movement), reduces fear of falling, and is easy to wear with most footwear.

Custom orthotics can further improve balance by correcting foot positioning, absorbing shock, improving weight distribution, and enhancing foot control on various surfaces. Patients with flat feet, high arches, or pronation issues often benefit from this support.

Strengthening exercises also help. Heel-to-toe walking, single-leg stances, and calf raises can build confidence in movement. Proper footwear matters too, look for low, wide heels, non-slip soles, firm heel support, and a proper fit. For patients with neuropathy, treating nerve damage can further improve coordination. Contact our office to schedule a balance evaluation and start building your personalized fall prevention plan.