When we think about fall prevention, we often focus on balance exercises, handrails, and a clean home. And when we think of those at risk, we think of the elderly, and how they could benefit from such measures. But we at Syracuse Podiatry know that falling happens to all types of people, and that old age is only part of the equation. It’s National Falls Prevention Awareness Month, so let’s dive right into the main foot conditions that cause us to fall.

Foot Problems That Increase Fall Risk

A few common foot problems can increase your risk of falling and injuring yourself. Consult with your podiatrist for a fall prevention plan if you have one or more of the following:

• Foot Pain: It’s a simple equation: if your feet hurt, you will change the way you walk to avoid the pain. Whether it’s from arthritis, a bunion, or plantar fasciitis, this changed walking pattern might be making you unsteady.
• Loss of Sensation: A common symptom of diabetes is nerve damage, and the associated numbness means you might not be able to feel an uneven surface or a small pebble under your foot. Without that crucial feedback, your body can’t react quickly enough to prevent you from tripping.
• Foot Deformities: Structural issues like severe flat feet, high arches, or bunions simply create unstable bases. Think of a bunion stubbing the edge of something, or a high arch throwing off your balance on a hard surface.
• Stiffness: Joints in the feet and ankles that have become stiff from conditions like arthritis or chronic tendonitis have a hard time with uneven surfaces. This lack of flexibility makes walking on curbs, steps, or grass a much greater risk.
• Foot drop: Some neurological issues make it hard to lift your feet off the ground. This is called dorsiflexion, and without it, your toes and the front of your foot drag along the ground when you try to take a step. To avoid tripping, a person with foot drop might even develop what we call a steppage gait, which is where they lift their knees high off the ground as if they are climbing stairs.
• Limited Ankle Flexibility: A stiff ankle joint from either arthritis, an ankle sprain, or chronic ankle instability also makes uneven surfaces or steps challenging to deal with.

• Severe Tendonitis: In cases of severe Achilles tendonitis, the pain and stiffness can make it difficult to push off the ground, which can also affect a person’s walk and cause a dragging motion.

For advice related to any podiatric concerns you’re facing, the expert team at Syracuse Podiatry is here to help guide you. Contact us today so Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Donal M. Erickson, Dr. Keith Sherman, and Dr. Nicholas Cronin can elevate your foot health and help your feet feel their best.