Fall Prevention and Balance Care

What You Need to Know

Understanding why falls happen and how podiatric care can help you stay steady.

Fall Prevention for Steadier Steps

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, sprains, loss of mobility, and long-term disability. Many of these falls are preventable with proper balance assessments, supportive braces, and podiatric treatments.

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. While falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital visits among adults over 65, they also affect younger individuals with balance impairments.

Several factors contribute to an increased fall risk, including weak or unstable ankles, neuropathy that reduces sensation in the feet, poor posture and coordination, muscle weakness, side effects of medications, and foot pain or improper footwear. Vision impairments, arthritis, and unsafe home environments can also raise the risk of tripping and falling.

You should see a podiatrist if you have recently experienced a fall or feel unsteady when walking, have ankle weakness, foot pain, or neuropathy, notice changes in your gait or difficulty standing on one foot, or feel nervous about walking on uneven surfaces or stairs. A podiatrist can assess your condition, perform balance testing, and recommend treatment options to improve mobility and reduce fall risks.

Treatments That Improve Stability

The Life in Balance Test is a comprehensive assessment used by podiatrists to evaluate a person’s stability, gait, and risk of falling. It includes a gait evaluation, postural assessment, ankle and foot strength testing, and a fall history review. Based on the results, your podiatrist can develop a personalized treatment plan to enhance stability and prevent falls.

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 specifically tailored for individuals experiencing balance issues due to weakness, neuropathy, or instability. It provides additional ankle and foot support, improves proprioception (the body’s ability to sense foot position and movement), and helps reduce the fear of falling.

Custom orthotics can also 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 added support.

Strengthening and balance exercises such as heel-to-toe walking, single-leg stances, and calf raises help build steadiness over time. Proper footwear with low, wide heels, non-slip soles, firm heel support, and a proper fit further reduces fall risk. Simple home changes like better lighting, grab bars, non-slip mats, and clear walkways round out a complete fall prevention plan you can build with your podiatrist.